Freediving . Mati
Ocean BX · A beginner’s guide
What is freediving?
Freediving is swimming or diving underwater on a single breath, without breathing from a scuba tank.It brings together relaxation, efficient movement, equalization and buddy skills.
You learn to understand your body and move with greater comfort in the water.
At Ocean BX in Mati, Philippines, we teach these foundations in the pool and in the open water of Pujada Bay.
Learning to feel comfortable, one skill at a time.
How you begin ↓
Explore this guide
Why freedive
Your first steps
The disciplines
Safety & equipment
Start with us
Why people freedive
Find what draws you to the water.
Some come for the ocean. Others enjoy the concentration, the technique, or the satisfaction of learning something new.
Mental calm
Make space to slow down and focus on what you are doing.
Ocean connection
Explore underwater with simple equipment and a lighter setup.
Body awareness
Notice tension, refine your movement and recognise your limits.
Personal progression
Develop your skills at a pace that suits you, with guidance.
Your first steps
You don’t need a long breath-hold to begin.
You can join a beginner program without previous freediving experience. Being able to swim independently and feel comfortable in the water matters more than athletic performance.
We review the medical questionnaire and course prerequisites with you before training. Medical clearance may be required, depending on your answers.
01 Understand the foundations
Learn about breathing, relaxation, equalization and the buddy system with your instructor.
02 Build comfort in the pool
Practise equipment use, body position and efficient movement under supervision.
03 Bring your skills to open water
Progress step by step, with attention to technique, conditions and your comfort.
Different ways to freedive
Exploration, sport and practical skills.
There is room for curiosity and enjoyment, too.
Recreational freediving
Enjoy marine life, underwater photography and time in the sea, within your training and with a trained buddy.
Sport freediving
Develop specific pool or depth disciplines through structured practice. Competition is one option, rather than a requirement.
Applied freediving
Use breath-hold skills for a particular purpose, such as research or traditional ocean activities, with the relevant training and safeguards.
Freediving disciplines
A few names you may come across.
You don’t need to learn every discipline to start. Open a section for a simple explanation of the terms.
Every in-water breath-hold requires appropriate supervision, including static practice at the surface.
Safety & equipment
Safety is part of every dive.
A short dive or a shallow pool still calls for proper procedures. Learn with a qualified freediving instructor and keep practising the buddy skills you are taught.
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Never practise in-water breath-holds alone. Your buddy must be trained in freediving safety and rescue, watching you directly and ready to help.
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Do not hyperventilate before a dive. Follow the preparation and recovery procedures taught by your instructor.
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Stay within your training and the conditions. Stop when something feels wrong; depth and time are never worth forcing.
A simple setup, fitted properly.
Your instructor helps you choose and use equipment suited to the session. Check your program details for what is included.
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Mask & snorkelA well-fitting mask, usually low volume, and a snorkel for surface use.
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Fins & wetsuitFins suited to your skills, with appropriate thermal protection.
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Weighting & depth lanyardUsed as appropriate to the session and training, with correct fitting and safety procedures.
Begin with Ocean BX · Mati
Choose your first step.
Try freediving with guidance, or begin a full foundation course. Both are suitable starting points for new freedivers.
An introduction
Discover Wave
Meet the fundamentals, work with an instructor and find out how you feel in the water before committing to a certification course.
The certification pathway
Molchanovs Wave 1
Build your foundation through theory, pool practice and open-water training. Certification depends on meeting the course requirements.
Already certified?
A question before you begin?
Tell us about your water confidence and what you would like to learn.