Here, you will find an overview of the different freediving agencies, freediving courses, and freedive instructor courses. Almost all of these freediving agencies acknowledge each other as an official freediving certification agency. With most freediving centers and agencies, you can easily switch from one agency to another. You might need to do an evaluation session or evaluation day with some agencies and schools before crossing over.

At the Freedive Academy, we look at this case by case.

Please note that we also added Molchanovs Freediving Education to the tables and overview below. Since they are a new agency, not all other agencies like SSI ‘officially’ recognize them. Since we are an SSI, AIDA, and Molchanovs freediving center, we know the Molchanovs courses very well. Most of the time, Molchanovs freedivers are very skilled—perhaps more all-around than AIDA students—it all depends on the instructor. Our experience is that SSI freedivers are generally of a very high level compared to other agencies.

Usually, certified Molchanovs Wave students can cross over to SSI and AIDA.

Crossing over from SSI or AIDA to Molchanovs should not be a problem with any Molchanovs dive center.

Crossing over from one agency to another would look something like that.

Course 1. AIDA 2
Course 2. SSI Level 2
Course 3. SSI Level 3

Or

Course 1. PADI Freediver
Course 2. PADI Advanced Freediver
Course 3. Apnea Academy Level 3
Course 4. SSI Level 3

We also regularly receive requests about the Apnea Total courses and cross-overs. We always do an evaluation session with Apnea Total students to see their level. With Apnea Total, it depends on the instructor the student had, and because there is no fixed structure in their courses, we can not tell in advance which level course you can take with us.

Please note: This page is best viewed on a tablet or desktop because of the different tables.

 

DIVER LEVEL

SSI

  • Basic
  • Pool
  • Freediver
  • Advanced Freediver
  • Performance Freediver
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Molchanovs

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  • Wave 1
  • Wave 2
  • Wave 3
  • Wave 4

AIDA

  • AIDA 1*
  • AIDA 2* (Pool)
  • AIDA 2*
  • AIDA 3*
  • AIDA 4*
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Apnea Academy

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  • Level I
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
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PADI

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  • Freediver / Advanced
  • Master
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FII

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  • Level 1 Pool
  • Level 1 + Junior
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
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PFI

  • Intro Freediver
  • Basic Freediver
  • Intermediate Freediver
  • Advanced Freediver
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RAID

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  • Basic Freediver
  • Freediver
  • Advanced
  • Master
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Want to Learn More About Freediving or Start Yourself?

Please message us via the following form, and our team will reply within a few hours.

At the same time, we’ll subscribe you to the Freedive Academy iMagazine and send you an email every two weeks with news and schedules for courses and online (free) events that everyone can join.

Freediving is an incredible sport, and the human body’s capabilities are amazing. Message us today and submerge yourself in a beautiful world in one breath!

Freediving SSI Level 1 Course
Molchanovs Wave 1 Certification
Freediving SSI Level 2 Course
Monofin Speciality Course

Fill in the form now – no strings. We have a great team of people who are all more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Name*

DIVE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL

SSI
Instructor

  • Basic Instructor
  • Freediving Assistant Instructor
  • Freediving Instructor
  • Advanced Freediving Instructor
  • Performance Freediving Instructor
  • Basic Instructor Trainer
  • Instructor Trainer
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Molchanovs
Instructor

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  • Wave 2 Instructor & Lap 2/3/4 Instructor
  • Wave 3 Instructor
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  • Wave 3 Instructor
    Trainer
  • Wave 4 Instructor
  • Wave 4 Instructor
    Trainer

AIDA
Instructor

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  • Pool Instructor
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  • Instructor
  • Master Instructor
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  • Instructor Trainer
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Apnea Academy Instructor

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  • Academy Instructor
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  • Instructor Trainer
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PADI
Instructor

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  • Freediving Instructor
  • Advanced Instructor
  • Master Instructor
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  • Instructor Trainer
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FII
Instructor

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  • Assistant Instructor
  • Level 1 Instructor
  • Level 2 Instructor
  • Level 3 Instructor
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  • Instructor Trainer
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PFI
Instructor

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  • Assistant Instructor
  • Instructor
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RAID
Instructor

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  • Instructor
  • Advanced Instructor
  • Master Instructor
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  • Instructor Trainer
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  • ---

* Because of the space limitations on this page, we removed CMAS from the table. Directly crossing over from CMAS is possible, too. Please get in touch with us for more information since the level and skills of CMAS freediving courses may vary by country.

** This page was updated in May 2024.

For questions about courses and cross-overs, please feel free to contact us.