Praty Pod Freedivers

Na jowa ko po si coach and the rest is history 🤪

Kakatakot nga 🥴

Teaching freediving without proper certification is something I personally experienced, and looking back, I can honestly say it was not a good idea. It was dangerous not only for the students but also for me.

When I first started teaching freediving, I did not have any certification at all. I only learned from someone who had a first-level certification. At that time, I thought practical experience alone was enough. I was confident in the water, and because of that confidence, I believed I was capable of teaching others. However, I eventually realized that I was teaching skills and concepts that I did not yet fully understand myself.

Freediving is not just about being able to dive deep or hold your breath for a long time. There are important theories, safety procedures, rescue protocols, physiology, and training methods behind it. These are knowledge systems that freediving agencies spent many years researching, organizing, and developing to make the sport safer for everyone. Without proper education and structured training, it is easy to overlook critical details that could put lives at risk.

When I finally had the opportunity to become certified as a Master Freediver, I took it seriously. Through formal training, I realized how much I still needed to learn. That experience humbled me. It made me understand that confidence alone is not enough to teach a sport where safety is extremely important.

After becoming certified, I started my own freediving community. Even though I already had the capability to teach introductory courses, I still received criticism from people who questioned why I was teaching without being a certified instructor. Ironically, some of those same people later began accepting students themselves despite only having introductory or first-level certifications. That experience taught me another important lesson: criticism will always exist, but what matters most is being responsible enough to continue improving yourself and prioritizing safety.

I always planned to become a certified instructor, but at the time my finances and schedule made it difficult. Instead of giving up, I searched for the most practical path available to me and eventually found an installment program that allowed me to continue my training. After months of preparation, I finally became a certified freediving instructor.

During instructor training, I understood even more why investing in proper education and qualifications matters. The training was not simply about teaching techniques. It was about understanding risks, preventing accidents, handling emergencies, and becoming responsible for other people’s lives in the water.

This is why I strongly believe that teaching freediving without proper certification is risky and irresponsible, even if the intentions are good. It is similar to other professions that involve people’s safety and well-being. For example, when we are sick, we choose licensed doctors because we trust that they studied, trained, and earned the qualifications necessary to treat patients properly. We would not willingly trust someone without the proper education or credentials to handle serious medical concerns.

The same principle applies to freediving. Certifications are not simply about exclusivity or titles. They exist to establish standards, ensure safety, and help instructors become truly prepared before taking responsibility for students.

For those who genuinely want to teach freediving, I believe the best approach is to climb the ladder step by step. Start with the first level of certification, continue learning, gain experience, and improve your skills over time. If finances are a challenge, there are often scholarships, internships, installment plans, or mentorship opportunities available through instructors and training agencies.

While working toward higher certifications, there are still many ways to stay involved in the community. Someone skilled in photography, videography, or content creation can contribute and earn while continuing to learn and grow.

I say all of this not to judge others, but because I personally made the mistake of teaching before I was truly ready. Looking back now, I understand how dangerous that decision could have been. Proper training and certification do not make someone perfect, but they provide the knowledge, structure, and responsibility needed to teach freediving more safely and professionally.

Meet my team. Most of them are from the Sama tribe, natural watermen who grew up freediving and fishing long before formal training became accessible in our area. I had the privilege of training and guiding them to become more advanced and safety-oriented freedivers. In return, they work alongside us as safety divers and videographers, earning while doing what they love. They already had the skills and connection to the ocean. What they needed was proper guidance, education, and a deeper understanding of freediving and safety. Today, they have become one of the foundations of our freediving family and community.