Freediving Co-op ReviewMasterclass with rave reviews: Build a solid foundation for freediving

Freediving Cooperative offers a diverse range of courses, including both AIDA and PADI freediving certification systems, as well as specialized courses in static apnea and equalization, plus customized pool and ocean training. Unlike other freediving venues that offer 2-3 day courses, Freediving Cooperative's AIDA2 program spans four full days: one day of theory, one day of pool training, and two days of ocean training. Freediving Cooperative places a strong emphasis on theory and pool sessions; instructor Gang believes that only by understanding the principles and successfully practicing them in the pool can students correctly apply their skills during ocean training.

Freediving Cooperative has a team of six instructors. While you'll primarily work with one instructor during your course, you'll have opportunities to meet and interact with the others during classes and group training sessions, allowing you to gain diverse freediving knowledge. For those seeking more specialized ocean training, Freediving Cooperative also offers dedicated ocean training courses. These are tailored to each student's specific depth goals and current skill level, with each dive's objective carefully planned and followed by video analysis and guidance.

Once you've completed the academic portion, it's time to get in the water! Freediving Cooperative's confined water course is a full day of pool training. All the necessary equipment is provided by the instructor and included in the Freediving Cooperative fee. The course takes place at Jianguo Swimming Pool in Xindian, with a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 4:1, ensuring every student receives proper attention.

The coach starts by having each student warm up with a swim, observing their comfort in the water and fin-kicking technique to make adjustments. Yuna was most impressed by the coach's patience, even with students who weren't strong swimmers; they guided and stayed by their side, using encouraging teaching methods to help those with a fear of water gradually relax their tension and tight muscles.

The pool session covers everything from basic static apnea, dynamic apnea, and pool rescue to duck dives and even turns for dynamic apnea. The instructor demonstrates each skill, and then students practice one by one. Throughout the practical session, the instructor closely observes each student, providing personalized feedback and adjustments as needed.

Gang Ge believes freediving is more than just recreation or endless breath-holding; achieving good breath-hold times requires cardiovascular training. For dynamic apnea, efficiency is key, meaning reducing drag and maximizing finning power—all achievable through progressive goal-setting. That's why, in the Freediving Cooperative's dynamic apnea specialty course, coaches work with students to identify and resolve efficiency issues through repeated analysis, helping them extend their dynamic apnea distances without altering their physical conditioning.

The final part of the Freediving Cooperative AIDA2 course consists of two full days of open-water training, based at Longdong No. 4, next to Hemei Elementary School. The Freediving Cooperative partners with Longsan Snorkeling to provide students with a place to rinse off after getting out of the water. If you visit later on your own, you can rent all your freediving gear from Longsan Snorkeling. And if you let your instructor know in advance, you'll get a special discount when you mention the Freediving Cooperative price at the venue.

Before heading into the water for ocean training, the instructors assign students to individual buoys, separating those taking classes, group training, and specialized ocean courses. Each buoy has one instructor paired with four students. Once the buoys are secured at the designated spot, the instructors assign the diving order. After a warm-up with rope-assisted descents, students begin constant weight dives, practicing underwater safety, rescue, and emergency procedures.

Gang-ge hopes that all his students find joy in the learning process, rather than just going through the motions to complete their course hours. If you don't pass the ocean training during the course, you can book a group practice session through the Freediving Cooperative's student club. The group practice schedule always indicates the coach for that day, and you can retake your exam during these practice sessions.