Beginner Course
Build your freediving foundation
AIDA2 / Wave 1 is a beginner certification course for students who want to move beyond a first introduction and learn freediving with proper structure, safety, and progression. Through theory, confined water, and open water sessions, you will build the core skills needed to freedive more confidently, safely, and independently. AIDA lists AIDA2 as its foundation course, while Molchanovs describes Wave 1 as the first-level certification that prepares students to act as qualified buddies and continue training.
AIDA2 / Wave 1
A Proper Beginner Course, Not Just A Trial
This course is designed for students who are ready to learn freediving more fully. If Discovery is your first taste of freediving, Beginner is where you start building real foundations. You will learn the essential theory, breathing and recovery principles, safety skills, pool techniques, and open water diving skills that support future progress. AIDA states AIDA2 introduces static, dynamic, free immersion, and constant weight freediving, while Molchanovs Wave 1 includes theory, pool, and depth training as part of the first full beginner certification.
This Course Is For You If…
- You want a full beginner freediving course
- You are comfortable in the water and ready for more than a one-day introduction
- You want to build strong safety habits from the start
- You want a recognised beginner certification
- You may want to continue into advanced freediving later
What You Will Build At Beginner Level
- Basic freediving physics and physiology
- Breathing, relaxation, and recovery breathing
- Equalisation and duck dive fundamentals
- Pool skills including static and dynamic practice
- Open water skills including line diving and body position
- Basic buddying, safety, and rescue skills
AIDA2 introduces the student to the core disciplines of static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion, and constant weight freediving.
Molchanovs Wave 1 covers freedive preparation, pre-dive and recovery breathing, dynamic technique, duck dives, depth diving, and both safety and rescue skills
How The Course Works
1. Theory
2. Pool / Confined Water
3. Open Water
Apply what you have learned in real diving conditions, including equalisation, duck dives, vertical movement, buddying, and depth sessions. AIDA lists a 12m CWTB requirement for AIDA2, and Molchanovs says Wave 1 students work toward comfortable dives in the 12–20m range depending on the discipline and standards.
Before Joining
- You should be comfortable swimming and being in deeper water
- You should be able to swim independently
- Minimum age typically starts at 16 with parent or guardian consent for minors
- You should be medically fit to dive
AIDA’s published prerequisites for AIDA2 include being able to swim either 200m non-stop without fins or 300m non-stop with mask, fins, and snorkel, and being 16 or older with guardian consent if under 18. Molchanovs Wave 1 is also positioned as a true beginner certification, but the page can stay user-friendly and leave exact screening details for booking or pre-course communication
Two Recognised Beginner Certifications, One Learning Stage
This page presents Beginner Freediving as one clear stage in the progression.
Depending on how the course is delivered, certification may be through AIDA2 or Molchanovs Wave 1. Both represent a first full beginner-level certification and both are designed to prepare students for safer, more structured recreational freediving. AIDA frames AIDA2 as the foundation course of its system, while Molchanovs says Wave 1 qualifies students to buddy with other certified freedivers and continue into advanced training.
Performance Standards
What beginner level works toward
At this level, the goal is not just to “try” freediving, but to complete a proper beginner training standard. AIDA publishes AIDA2 requirements of 2:00 static apnea, 40m DYNB, 12m CWTB, and a theory exam passing score of 75%. Molchanovs Wave 1 says students work toward a 1:30 breath-hold, 30m dynamic with fins, and comfortable depth diving in the 12–20m range, along with safety and rescue skills. The exact standard followed will depend on the certification route offered for your course
Continue into advanced training
FAQ
Do I need previous freediving experience?
Is this different from Discovery / AIDA1?
Will I train in both pool and open water?
Yes. AIDA2 and Wave 1 both include theory plus pool/confined water and open water elements.
Do I need to choose AIDA or Molchanovs first?
Not necessarily. On the website, this can be presented as one Beginner stage, with the actual certification route clarified during booking or on the course details. Both routes cover the same broad stage of development, though standards and structure differ.
What comes after this course?
Start Your Real Freediving Foundation
If you are ready to move beyond a first introduction and learn freediving properly, this is the course to begin with.
Build the skills, safety awareness, and confidence to progress with clarity.