Beginners
You do not start at 20 metres.
First session in Unawatuna: breath, pool, then a short, supervised dip. Groups of four.
Most people who message us have the same fear: I will panic, I cannot hold my breath, I will look stupid. That is normal. A first freedive in Unawatuna is not a depth attempt. It is breathing, relaxation, and a short, supervised descent with a buddy who is an instructor — not a GoPro boat.
Do you need to be a strong swimmer?
For Discover (half day, €150): you should be comfortable in water. We are not testing laps.
For Wave 1 (3 days, €350): you must swim 200 m unassisted. That is a Molchanovs standard, not ours to waive. If you are close, say so — we will tell you honestly whether to start with Discover.
Is it scary?
The scary version of freediving is social media: blacked-out athletes, huge fins, 40 metres. That is not day one. Day one is learning to exhale slowly, to equalise before it hurts, and to turn around early. Small groups (max four) mean you are not waiting at the back of a crowd while someone else takes the line.
What a first session looks like
- Breathing and body scan on land — not “take a huge gulp.”
- Pool or sheltered water: float, duck dive, recover on the surface with a buddy.
- If you booked Wave 1, later days add the line, Frenzel equalisation, and open water to a depth you have earned — typically well inside 12–20 m by the end of the course, not on hour one.
Gear is provided. Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen. Details: FAQ.
How deep on day one?
Discover stays shallow and supervised. Wave 1 builds across three days. Nobody is dropped on a deep line to “see if you can.” Depth is a by-product of equalisation and calm — we stop when either is missing.
What you might see
Warm water (27–30°C in season), reef fish, sometimes turtles on calm mornings. Read turtles and marine life so you know the rules before you get excited and reach.
Which course to book
One free morning: Discover. Three days and a card you can take home: Wave 1. Already certified and hunting depth: Wave 2. Comparison: Molchanovs courses explained and Molchanovs vs PADI.
Still unsure? Tell us your swimming background and dates. We would rather put you on Discover than rush a Wave 1.