Frequenty Asked Questions

Policies

Cancellations

2 weeks for full refund - Cancellations made at least 14 days prior to the first scheduled session receive a full refund
After 2 weeks - Cancellations made after 14 days receive a 50% refund, including last minute cancellations
Weather, force majeure, etc - If unforeseen circumstances caused by nature or instructors and staff cause a cancellation of portions of the course, a proportional refund will be issued. This refund will be calculated by the fraction of total hours. A course completion form will be filled out upon request so the student can finish the course at a future date with any other AIDA instructor.

Student requirements

Medical form needs to be received before course begins
If a student does not pass a course requirement, they can finish the requirement on any scheduled practice day with the DC Freediving club. Club fees apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is exactly in the pool course?

The pool courses includes all of the knowledge sessions and confined water sessions of the full depth course. That is to say, it is about 60% of the full depth certification. It is a complete AIDA freediving certificate, but without the depth portion.

Can I use the pool course towards the depth certification?

Yes. You can finish your full certificate with any AIDA instructor in the world. For your convenience, we have set up with a sister school in Roataon, Honduras (Freediving Caribbean School) where you can book under the renown instructor Ricardo Montans, for an all-inclusive daily price.

Why should I take the class locally in DC, instead of doing the whole thing at a vacation destination?

There is a lot to learn in a freediving class! Taking the confined water, knowledge sessions and the written exam in a low-pressure environment will let you focus 100% on depth at a future date. Our courses are scheduled to fit within your busy weekly schedule. This way, you can free up more days out of your valuable vacation time and spend it on fun dives or depth training.

Also, our courses don't get cancelled due to weather, except very severe ones, as it all happens indoors.

Can I use the pool certificate to go spearfishing?

In the US, spearfishing largely remains unregulated. While we do not recommend spearfishing for someone who have not been depth certified, the things you learn in the pool courses will certainly help you dive more safely and efficiently while you are hunting under water. Never dive alone!

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