SAN DIEGO FREE DIVING FIELD GUIDE
Three Days to Deeper Breath: PADI Advanced Freediver Course in San Diego
A three-day, instructor-led program from Dive California that moves from classroom and pool work to two open-water sessions to refine static and dynamic apnea and introduce deeper free-immersion and constant-weight dives.
Three Days to Deeper Breath: PADI Advanced Freediver Course in San Diego.
On the Pacific edge of Southern California, the PADI Advanced Freediver Course compresses technique, physiology and ocean time into a deliberate three-day progression. Students combine independent e-learning and an instructor-led classroom with confined-water training and two open-water sessions to extend static and dynamic apnea, practice freefall and Frenzel equalization, and learn essential buddy and rescue procedures.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Classroom and e-Learning foundation
The course pairs required independent PADI Advanced Freediver e-Learning with an instructor-led classroom session that covers efficiency, freefall and Frenzel techniques, and advanced buddy and safety procedures.
Pool work: stretching, relaxation and apnea targets
Confined-water training focuses on stretching and relaxation techniques to refine static and dynamic apnea with specific goals — static apnea of 2:30 (2:00 for under-18s) and dynamic apnea to 50 m/165 ft (40 m/130 ft for under-18s).
Ocean sessions: free immersion and constant-weight depth work
Two open-water sessions provide guided practice in free-immersion and constant-weight freedives with depth goals of 20 m/66 ft (maximum 24 m/80 ft) and reduced limits for younger freedivers; these sessions also emphasize buddy procedures and rescue skills.
What the day feels like
Course Flow — deliberate, progressive, supervised
Expect a steady arc: complete the PADI e-Learning at home, then spend a full day in the classroom building the conceptual framework before a day of pool training to practice static and dynamic apnea and a final day in the ocean completing two open-water sessions focused on deeper free-immersion and constant-weight dives and expanded buddy/rescue skills.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits (and who should wait)
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The program is a minimum three-day course (Friday classroom, Saturday pool, Sunday ocean) designed to be taken at a relaxed pace.
Bring towel, swimsuit or swim shorts, sunscreen, hydration and snacks. For pool training a 3 or 4/3 mm surf- or triathlon-style suit is recommended. For ocean work bring a freediving wetsuit (5 mm two-piece or 7 mm in winter), rubber weight belt with Marseille buckle (6–14 lb), small-volume mask, safety lanyard, simple snorkel, long-blade freediving fins, gloves (3 or 5 mm as needed), and an equipment bag. Inform the operator if you cannot provide a pool wetsuit; necessary freediving gear is included if you do not own your own set.
The course includes PADI Advanced Freediver e-Learning, instructor-led classroom, confined-water pool session, two open-water sessions, all necessary freediving gear and PADI e-certification upon successful completion.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the PADI Advanced Freediver Course with Dive California?
The course includes instructor-led classroom, confined-water (pool) training and two open-water ocean sessions and leads to an e-certification that allows you to freedive with a buddy in pool or ocean settings.
What is included in the PADI Advanced Freediver course with Dive California?
All necessary freediving gear, PADI Advanced Freediver e-Learning study materials, PADI e-certification, instructor-led classroom session, confined-water/pool session and two open-water sessions are included.
How long does the PADI Advanced Freediver Course take?
The course takes a minimum of three days and is scheduled to allow completion at a relaxed pace.
What is the minimum age for the PADI Advanced Freediver Course with Dive California?
Minimum age is 15 years; participants must be in good health and have adequate swimming skills.
What should I bring to the course?
Bring towel, swimsuit, swim shorts, sunscreen, hydration and snacks; a pool training wetsuit (3 or 4/3 mm) is recommended and a full list of recommended freediving equipment is provided by the operator.
Will I receive a certification?
Yes — you will earn a PADI e-certification recognition after successfully completing the program.