The Different Freedive Instructor Courses

The Differences between Agencies, the Levels, and how to Cross-Over

I had absolutely no idea what was out there…

I signed up for an SSI Zero to Hero course in 2012. Not because it was an SSI Instructor Course but because the course seemed fun and educational at a great location and awesome center – I still like the center a lot! But when I arrived in Dahab, Egypt, and I had just finished my SSI Level 1 freediving course, I learned from some people in Dahab that SSI was the ‘big bad evil commercial’ agency and that AIDA was the holy grail of freediving. So naturally, directly after my SSI Instructor Course, I crossed over to AIDA. Briefly, after this, I had to do the RAID World Series of Freediving Instructor Course because they were more digital and were going to focus on competitions. Well… SSI is not a big bad agency, AIDA isn’t the holy grail of freediving, and RAID doesn’t organise competitions anymore and isn’t the only ‘digital’ agency…

Now, after all these years, with the experience of teaching for these agencies, training all over the world and running my own dive center in Panglao, I’m an SSI Freediving Instructor Trainer, Molchanovs Instructor Trainer and AIDA Instructor Trainer, and I couldn’t be happier and more proud representing these agencies.

Vincent Sparreboom in Panglao

Here on this page, I’d like to explain why I believe you should choose SSI or perhaps are better of with Molchanovs or AIDA. Becoming a freediving instructor, whether simply for the knowledge or changing your lifestyle and moving to a tropical island, is a fantastic thing to do. And although, for recreational freediving courses, the most important decision would be who to pick as your teacher, with instructor courses, the agency really really matters. We will explain what to consider and how to choose the right agency for you.

Everything you should know about the different Freedive Instructor Courses!

We are running the recreational freediving courses of the three globally leading freediving certification organisations; We are teaching SSI Freediving Courses, Molchanovs Courses and occasionally AIDA Freediving Courses.

The organisations SSI and AIDA are the most known and oldest international training agencies for recreational freediving. Molchanovs is relatively new, focuses more on pure and technical freediving, and is building a large global community of freedivers.

At the same time, for the professional levels, we are teaching SSI Instructor Courses, AIDA Instructor courses, Molchanovs Instructor Courses, and regularly remote Instructor Courses. We are ‘romantic’ about AIDA since they are the ones who brought freediving to the public with properly structured courses and a complete education system. Still, we tend to focus more on SSI and Molchanovs since they offer more value to their instructors and dive centers.

Before we look into the differences between the organisations SSI, AIDA and Molchanovs for the professional courses, here is a summary of their history.

 

The 3 Leading Freediving Agencies we work with;

Molchanovs Freediving

The Molchanovs Education System was first developed by Natalia Molchanova, the queen of freediving, the most decorated and best freediver who ever lived, and the freediving mother of so many top athletes. She developed this education system to take a new freediver joining a beginner freediving course, step-by-step, week-by-week, from absolute beginner to elite freediver.

Then in 2018, a group of the world’s best freedivers, freediving trainers and entrepreneurs, including World Champion and multiple World Record holder Alexey Molchanov, World Record holder Goran Colak, and Australian National Record holder Adam Stern, and others, took that system, added their expertise and revamped it to create something new.

Molchanovs Instructor Training Center

Now the Molchanovs Education System is the fastest-growing freediving agency in the world. It’s an online community of freedivers who all took a Molchanovs Freediving Course and are now further developing their skills, techniques and performance via the base training programs, training benchmarks and reward badges. The Molchanovs training programs contain pool, dry and depth training. They aim at pure and technical freediving and make the freedivers stronger and better regardless of whether they are -10 or -80 meter freedivers.

They aim to add value to their fast-growing community of freedivers and freediving instructors. Freedivers get free access to some of their training programs.

SSI Freediving

SSI is a globally recognised scuba diving association that began training freedivers over 15 years ago. SSI is the global leader in recreational freediving with the largest dealer network of freediving centers – but Molchanovs is getting traction and is about to take over their top position in the market. Scuba Schools International’s training agency became successful in the scuba diving industry by creating quality course materials and implementing progressive educational systems and has now done the same with freediving. All SSI scuba and freediving courses provide students with digital training manuals and student videos designed to be safe and fun. SSI offers four progressive freediving courses and many additional freediving speciality courses.

SSI Instructor Course

The SSI Freediving Courses are professional development programs of a very high level – of a much greater level and more in-depth than any other freediving agency. The support SSI offers to dive centers and instructors, the SSI dealer network, it all make SSI a serious option for instructors and dive centers.

Because of this, we also offer via Swim Schools International the incredible Swim Teacher programs for combining your Freediving Instructor course with a Swim Teacher course. Another SSI professional option we now offer is the mermaid instructor courses.

AIDA International

AIDA International was founded in 1992 and is the global authority for competitive freediving. This association organises the most important international freediving competitions and keeps track of and verifies all set freediving records.

AIDA’s goals include further research, developing freediving techniques and science, and the safe and effective training of recreational and competitive freedivers. AIDA International organises freediving courses into four levels. With each AIDA Freediving Course, AIDA teaches the diver progressively more advanced skills and has specific requirements to achieve certification.

AIDA Instructor Course

More than anything else… We are an Instructor Training Center!

We start Zero to Hero, Beginner to Freediving Instructor Hero programs any day of the week.

Because we are a large dive center based in Panglao with a fully equipped facility, ideal year-round diving conditions and an incredible team, we can be very flexible and organise regularly different long-term Instructor Development Programs. We start Freediving Internships every quarter and run at least one or two different Instructor Courses every month. Since COVID-19 started, we’ve begun running Remote Instructor Courses, which, now that tourism is back to normal, we continue to run regularly!

You can visit the Freedive Academy in Panglao for the regular recreational courses and to train in one of the best, if not the best, dive location in Asia. Still, first and foremost, we are an Instructor Training and Professional Development Center.

Instructor Training Centre

The Motivation to Join an Instructor Course is Different for Everyone!

Maybe you want to take an Instructor Course for the new knowledge you’ll learn? Perhaps you want to do a course to teach your friends how to freedive? Or maybe you are done with your life back home, and are you looking for opportunities to change your lifestyle? There are many, many, many reasons why you could take an instructor course. Regardless of your motivation, you will want to take your course in a proper instructor training and development center. We’ll promise when you decide to do a course with us, you will travel to Panglao, train with the other guests, incredible Master freedivers, skilled professionals and very experienced instructors, you will find that special place you are looking for.

Being located on Panglao Island offers excellent opportunities for instructor training and development programs. First of all, Panglao is a luscious green island covered by palm, coconut and banana trees. Driving around the island on your scooter with shorts and flip-flops almost immediately makes you experience the flip-flop freediver lifestyle. The island has excellent facilities and restaurants and offers cheap but high-quality, long-term stay housing.

The Filipino people are the nicest people you will ever meet in your life. The Pinoy are friendly, caring, and very welcoming to everyone visiting their beautiful country! Furthermore, the groceries are cheap but very nice, and arranging and extending a Visa is super easy in the Philippines – much easier than in any other Asian country.

The Freedive Academy is located on the Northside of the island – the beautiful, quiet, green and non-tourist side of the island with year-round near-perfect diving conditions!

 

The Dive Center and Facilities are Brand-New and Top-Notch – Designed by Freedivers for Freedivers!

Right in the middle of the academy ground, we have a two-lane 25-meter pool with a shallow water static area and sitting area, making the pool perfect for your instructor’s course. The pool perfectly suits the instructor course pool presentations and dynamic and static training. We’ve built you a very lovely shaded outside chill-out area with a beautiful canopy. This pool-side terrace has wall ventilators, nice tropical tunes playing on the speakers and a big couch where we regularly have people sleeping on – this is how you know you are at a good freediving center – we have people sleeping everywhere :). We use the same area for our stretching sessions and our gym equipment. Although it’s not too much gym equipment, the rowing and cycling machines, the dumbles, the TRX setup, battle ropes and gym balls make it the perfect environment for your apnea training. Inside the academy, we have the reception with a living room with a seating area, a retail shop, the kitchen and upstairs, a large and dedicated instructor course classroom specifically designed for the long and intense instructor courses. And each of our classrooms is fully equipped with all the possible presentation tools you might need for your courses and presentations.

We are located about 300 meters from the shore. When we go to the ocean entry via shuttle or scooter, it’s only with a 15-meter swim – we’re literally crossing the famous Napaling shoal of Panglao sardines every day before we reach our first fixed dive lines. We have lines ready for you with depths of -50, -80 and -130 meters for those belonging to the world top. With year-round near-perfect diving conditions, freediving doesn’t get better than this. The water temperature ranges from 26 – 31C, and the visibility is usually around 30 meters and goes up to an easy 40 meters – we even had a few 50-meter days! With excellent year-round diving conditions, we can be very flexible and plan our course schedules wisely. With us, you will get the most out of your course.

 

This is What it Will Be Like Doing a Freediving Course with Us.

Please note; this video was shot at our first location. We still dive at the same reef but moved about 300 meters down the road to a brand-new and fully equipped dive center with bungalows and our two-lane 25-meter pool.

Resort and Pool
Pool Workshop
Night Freediving

Change your Lifestyle! Move to a Tropical Island!

At the Freedive Academy Panglao, we offer a wide range of programs and packages to become a well-trained and highly-skilled professional freediver throughout the year.

We run different freedive instructor courses from various agencies. We can provide these courses separately or as an excellent tailored-for-your-needs package with, for example, training and housing included. You can join us for a Zero to Hero program or start coming to us for a Freediving Instructor Internship, where you immediately gain experience working as a Freediving Instructor.

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 2
Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 3

Regardless of which package you choose; for sure you’ll love what Panglao has to offer! Contact us now – without any strings – and we’ll explain all the different possibilities.

Name*
Estimated Arrival Date*

How to Choose the Right Freedive Instructor Course for You!

At the Freedive Academy Panglao, we teach SSI Freediving Instructor Courses, Molchanovs Freediving Instructor courses., AIDA Instructor Courses, and we’re regularly teaching Remote Molchanovs Instructor Courses.

To see which instructor course suits your needs, we first look at the different levels of teaching and how long it takes to become a freediving instructor.

Usually, it will take you between 1 to 3 months to become a Freediving Instructor. The fastest way to become a Freediving Instructor is with SSI, and this instructor rating is called the Basic Freediving Instructor. Becoming a Basic Instructor is only possible via a one or two-day cross-over from SSI Scuba Instructor. Being an SSI Basic Freediving Instructor is nice when you have your own center and want to introduce people to freediving. Still, as a Basic Instructor, you can only teach SSI Try Freediving and SSI Basic Freediving.

The next fastest option would be SSI Level 1 Freediving Instructor. You need a Level 2 certification, 100 logged dive sessions and join and pass the extensive 10-day instructor course. This instructor level is an excellent option for those with EQ problems or those who are not very experienced freedivers. A variation on the Level 1 instructor would be the pool freediving instructor, but we’re based 300 meters away from the famous Napaling Reef with the massive drop-off and sardines. We never taught a pool course in our eight years in Panglao.

The recreational course you’ll be teaching the most is the beginner freediving course, the Molchanovs Wave 1, AIDA 2 or the SSI Level 1 freediving course, and this will also immediately be the most important course you’ll be teaching. This is the student’s first introduction to you, your teaching skills and your dive center. Only SSI offers the option to become a Level 1 Instructor, which is done via 100 logged sessions and the extensive SSI Instructor Course. We only advise this course when you have difficulty reaching the performance requirements of the SSI Level 2, the AIDA Freediving Instructor and Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor course.

Please note: because of the table this page is best viewed on tablet or desktop.

SSI
Instructor

  • Basic Instructor
  • Pool Instructor
  • Level 1 Instructor
  • Level 2 Instructor
  • Level 3 Instructor
  • Instructor Trainer
  • ---
  • ---

Molchanovs
Instructor

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

AIDA
Instructor

  • ---
  • Pool Instructor
  • ---
  • Instructor
  • Master Instructor
  • Instructor Trainer
  • ---
  • ---

We’ve reached the final but most common entry-level instructor course: the SSI Level 2 Instructor Course, the Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Course and the AIDA Freediving Instructor Course. The depth requirements are up to -40 meters. The distance disciplines are up to 100 meters dynamic, and all agencies’ breath-hold times are 4 minutes. Overall the performance requirements will be more challenging, and to reach this performance level, you need to put in the time and energy and do you need to be dedicated. When you start your instructor course via a Zero to Hero Freediving program, we believe that with the right focus and commitment, we can achieve this level in 3 to 4 months minimum.

We now know that it takes between 1 and 3 months to become a freediving instructor depending on how much actual diving experience you already have. Now that you’re an SSI Level 2, AIDA Freediving Instructor or Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor, what’s next?

If you are an SSI or AIDA Instructor to upgrade from Level 2 Instructor to Level 3, you must have 50 certifications under your name. Molchanovs Instructors need 40 certifications to upgrade to Master Instructor. Special rules may apply, but certifications in your name certified under a different agency might count towards your instructor upgrade requirements too.

Now that you’re an SSI Level 3 Instructor, you can apply to join an SSI Instructor Trainer Seminar – the final step with SSI. With AIDA, you can apply for the trainer status with AIDA International and with Molchanovs, there are quite a few more options. Once you’ve reached the right experience and certification levels, you can become a Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Trainer. Another option is Wave 4 Instructor and Wave 4 Instructor Trainer, which are the competitive Molchanovs levels.

The sum up the career roadmaps of each agency, SSI is more about dive professional development, AIDA is more accessible, whereas Molchanovs is more performance-driven and technical.

The Skills Requirements for the AIDA, SSI and Molchanovs Instructor Courses!

Each Instructor Course has an academic part containing theory sessions, presentations, exams, and a pool and ocean part with teaching presentations and skills and performance requirements. The actual course content and structure are different for each agency. For example, with SSI, you get quite a few presentations and classroom sessions. The SSI courses are developed to prepare you to work as a full-time and high-level professional in the dive industry. The instructor courses from AIDA and Molchanovs are quite similar. AIDA focuses more on the science of freediving, and Molchanovs more on teaching the skills properly since Molchanovs aims at developing more all-around technical freedivers.

 

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

Skills Requirements

  • Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB)
  • Long CWTB Dive
  • Free Immersion (FIM)
  • Long FIM Dive
  • Constant No Fins (CNF)
  • FRC Dive (Mouthfill at 5mtr.)
  • Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB)
  • Dynamic No Fins (DNF)
  • Static Breath-Hold
  • Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang)
  • BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths)
  • CO2 Dive
  • 5x (1min. surface interval)
  • 400mtr. Swim
  • 800mtr. Swim with Equipment

SSI Level 1 Instructor

  • 30mtr.
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • 50mtr.
  • ---
  • 2:30min.
  • 15mtr.
  • 15mtr.
  • ---
  • 5 x 15mtr.
  • In less than 10min.
  • In less than 15min.

SSI Level 2 Instructor

  • 40mtr.
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • 85mtr.
  • ---
  • 4:00min.
  • 20mtr.
  • 20mtr.
  • ---
  • 5 x 20mtr.
  • In less than 10min.
  • In less than 15min.

AIDA Freediving Instructor

  • 40mtr.
  • 30mtr. at least 1:30
  • 40mtr.
  • 30mtr. at least 2:00
  • 20mtr.
  • ---
  • 90mtr.
  • 50mtr.
  • 4:00min.
  • 15mtr.
  • 25mtr.
  • ---
  • 5 x 20mtr.
  • ---
  • ---

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor

  • 40mtr. (dive time 80-90s)
  • ---
  • 40mtr.
  • ---
  • 30mtr.
  • ---
  • 100mtr.
  • 60mtr.
  • 4:00min.
  • 15mtr.
  • 25mtr.
  • 60sec. then 20m CWT dive
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---

SSI Level 3 Instructor

  • 50mtr.
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • 25mtr.
  • 85mtr.
  • ---
  • ---
  • 20mtr.
  • 20mtr.
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---

Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor

  • 50mtr. (dive time 100-110s)
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---
  • 35mtr.
  • ---
  • 110mtr.
  • 80mtr.
  • 4:30min.
  • 20mtr.
  • 30mtr.
  • 60sec. then 25m CWT dive
  • ---
  • ---
  • ---

When Should You Choose a Certain Instructor Agency?

Suppose you want to become a freediving instructor for the additional technical knowledge of freediving. In that case, doing the SSI Instructor course should not be your first option, but are you better off with AIDA or Molchanovs. If you want to change your lifestyle, move to a tropical island and work for a dive center, SSI or even Molchanovs are your best options. Let’s look at the differences between the different freediving agencies when you would work as a freediving instructor.

Being an SSI Freediving Instructor vs an AIDA or Molchanovs

The SSI Instructor Course is by far the most intense and challenging course of the three agencies. You will get a lot of homework and exams during the course, and you need to present quite a few presentations. With 50 years of scuba experience, SSI knows how to prepare someone to work as a full-time dive instructor in the industry, and they do this better than other agencies.

Pros

  Excellent student course materials

  Great job opportunities

  Fantastic support for instructors and dive centers

  Lots of (paid) freediving specialities

  High-level students, Instructors and Instructor Trainers

Cons

  High registration and study kit fees to become an instructor

  To be able to teach, you need to be affiliated with a dive center.

  No (free) extras to keep the student in the industry once the course has finished.

SSI vs AIDA and Molchanovs

Conclusion: Although starting the SSI instructor course is expensive, SSI has the largest global dealer network of dive centers. In almost all countries, they have an SSI office to quickly and effectively support their instructors and dive centers, making SSI the perfect choice for starting dive centers or instructors looking to work for a dive center. With the SSI Instructor Course, you become a freediving instructor of the highest level.

With SSI, there are much more quality checks in place than with the other agencies. This means that the level of teaching is ‘always’ guaranteed and that usually, the level of students, Instructors and Instructor Trainers is very high. 

Being an AIDA Freediving Instructor vs an SSI or Molchanovs Instructor

AIDA is the most traditional agency of the three freediving agencies we discuss here. Of these three agencies, AIDA is the most experienced in competitions, which is immediately what they have going for them. Although not the biggest or best agency, AIDA has the ‘name’ and is often directly associated with freediving.

Since it’s an organisation run by volunteers, their support is slow and ineffective. Their study materials are still offered via boring and somewhat outdated PDF files without a mobile app. And despite all their experience and history, there hasn’t been much development in their courses, materials and organisation.

Pros

  Great history

  Active Facebook community

  Great (paid) competition freediving specialities

  Can work anywhere as an independent instructor without being affiliated or registered with a business.

Cons

  Difficult to get proper support

  The website is often offline or not working, and study materials haven’t been updated in years

  Low student certification cost and annual instructor membership fees.

  Their network exists primarily out of independent instructors and not dive centers, and thus finding a job at a dive center is difficult.

AIDA vs SSI and Molchanovs

Conclusion: AIDA and SSI have been competing in the market for a long time. The biggest thing AIDA had going was that you could teach anywhere as an independent instructor. But now that Molchanovs makes it easy for independent instructors to, this might not be an argument anymore.   

Teaching AIDA courses is cheaper than teaching for other agencies, and not having no fins in the course curriculum is, for quite a few people, also a motivator to opt for an AIDA course.

AIDA still is the global leader in hosting freediving competitions, and they have some great competition specialities like a competitor, competition judge, competition safety and deep safety – AIDA will always be the go-to party for competitive freedivers.

Being an AIDA instructor is nice. They are the symbol of modern freediving, but with other agencies, as an instructor, you get more value.

Being a Molchanovs Instructor vs an SSI or AIDA Instructor

What Molchanovs has accomplished since 2018 with the launch of the updated training system is truly incredible. They teach pure and technical freediving in all disciplines. Add to that a great online community with lots of free training drills offered by some of the best freedivers in the world, and then you have a recipe for success for (independent) instructors and dive centers.

The Molchanovs instructor course is not so much about becoming a highly skilled professional as where SSI readies you for the industry and makes you a top-level instructor. The Molchanovs certification fees are the highest of these three agencies, but it’s cheaper to become an instructor than SSI. Molchanovs focuses on improving student skills and high technical levels via skills review and training.

Pros

  They teach all-round and technical freediving.

  Excellent instructor (and Instructor Trainer) Facebook group for quick questions and support.

  Free training programs for your students

  You can work as an independent instructor without the need to be affiliated with a dive center.

  As the only agency Molchanovs offers online teaching and certification of the theory parts of each course level.

Cons

  Support via email can take one or two days.

  High student certification fees

  Some limitations in the booking system, like changing courses and student information.

Molchanovs vs AIDA and SSI

Conclusion: Molchanovs is a new organisation and doesn’t have the financial backing like, for example, SSI. Because Thus, things like email support or their online booking and registration system are somewhat limited.

The Molchanovs materials are presented by some of the best freedivers in the world. We believe that Molchanovs is changing the industry with its extensive education system and the possibility of online teaching. We at the Freedive Academy are very excited about this development!

Let’s get introduced! We’ll schedule a video call. We’ll answer all your questions and show you around the center!

You can join our freediving instructor and development programs in many different options and ways. With many of our customers, especially those who join the Zero to Hero freediving programs or the Freediving Internships – but also those who come for training and an Instructor Course, we often schedule an FB, Whatsapp or Skype call to talk about the different options. We understand that all the information about the various agencies, levels, and course options can be confusing. During this call – which is, of course, free of charge and without any further obligations, we discuss all the possibilities. We will make a plan together and immediately show you around the freediving school and resort so you have a good idea of what kind of dive center we are!

We believe this is a great way to get introduced, get your questions answered, and get an inside look into daily life at the academy. Fill out the form below, we’ll send you all the needed information, and we’ll schedule a call. We look forward to talking to you soon!

It’s Clear Why We Choose SSI, AIDA and Molchanovs

With SSI, you get true professionalism, and with Molchanovs and AIDA, it’s technical and high-level skills – the Best of Both Worlds!

Teaching, training and developing highly skilled instructors with a high level of skills in all freediving disciplines is what we, as the Freedive Academy Panglao, want. With this, SSI Freediving and Molchanovs or AIDA is the perfect combination.

Here is a quick overview of all the SSI Freediving Instructor Courses, the Molchanovs Instructor Courses and the AIDA Instructor Courses we can teach.

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    SSI Level 1 Freediving Instructor (FITC 1)
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    SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor (FITC 2)
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    SSI Freediving Instructor Cross Over
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    SSI Level 3 Freediving Instructor Upgrade
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    SSI Speciality Instructor Free Immersion
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    SSI Speciality Instructor Monofin
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    SSI Speciality Instructor No-Fins Freediving
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    SSI Speciality Instructor Variable Weight
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    SSI Speciality Instructor Training Techniques
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    AIDA Pool Instructor (FITC)
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    AIDA Freediving Instructor (FITC)
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    Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor (FITC)
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    Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Cross Over (Remote Option)
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    Molchanovs Lap 2 Instructor (FITC)
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    Molchanovs Lap 2 Instructor Cross Over (Remote Option)
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    Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Upgrade (Remote Option)
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    Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Cross Over (Remote Option)
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    Molchanovs Lap 3 Instructor Upgrade (Remote Option)

Please note that almost all of the above options can be packaged into a combo package like the Beginner to Instructor Freediving programs (Zero to Hero) and the Freediving Internships or combined with a freedive training package. If you are interested in doing an instructor course, instructor cross over or remote instructor course, please get in touch with us so we can package your courses.

The Most Important SSI, AIDA and Molchanovs Instructor Courses!

You now know you want to become an SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs freediving instructor, but how or where do you start?

When you are not an instructor, you must start with the regular Freedive Instructor Training Course (FITC) of either Molchanovs, AIDA or SSI. During the SSI FITC, you can become an SSI Level 1 or SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor – this is the same course but with different skills requirements and presentations.

Crossing over as a freediving instructor from another agency is possible with AIDA, the Molchanovs Wave 2 and SSI Level 2 Instructor course. With some agencies like PADI, it’s also possible to cross over to SSI or AIDA Pool Instructor, but this is not recommended since you won’t have many teaching possibilities. In the case of the Pool Instructor, we highly recommend completing the normal recreational levels and proceeding with the standard and full instructor course.

After the regular instructor courses, you can upgrade to the Master Instructor level via an upgrade course – usually only a few days. With Molchanovs, you can even do this online. As a Master Instructor for any other agency, you can cross over to the Wave 3 and Level 3 Instructor levels.

 

SSI has 3 Main Instructor Levels.

Below is an overview of the different levels, prerequisites and what you must do to qualify for a certain level.

SSI Freediving Instructor Level 1

SSI Level 1 Freediving Instructor

The SSI Level 1 Instructor can teach Try Freediving, Basic Freediving, Pool Freediving and Level 1 Freediving.

Prerequisites: The candidate must have 100 logged dives, have completed the Freediving Level 2 program, have a First Aid Certificate (no older than two years), and hold the speciality certification for Free Immersion and Training Technique.

Duration: 12 days

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 30mtr.
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 50mtr.
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    Static Breath-Hold: 2:30min.
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    Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang): 15mtr.
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    BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths): 15mtr.
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    5x 15mtr. (1min. surface interval)
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    400mtr. Swim: In less than 10min.
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    800mtr. Swim with Equipment: In less than 15min.

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price without package discount per person: $1350

Please note that before starting the SSI FITC, you will need to pay SSI for the first year annual and registration fee. Additional one-time fees with SSI are the Freedive Instructor Kit Level 1 and the mandatory wet slates (in-water writing board).

The total additional fee that you need to pay to SSI directly will be around $300. In the following years, your annual fee to stay active will be about $100.

SSI Freediving Instructor Level 2

SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor

The SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor can teach Try Freediving, Basic Freediving, Pool Freediving and Level 1 and 2 Freediving.

Prerequisites: The candidate must have 100 logged dives, completed the Level 3 Freediving program, have a First Aid Certificate (no older than 2 years), and must hold the speciality certification for Free Immersion and Training Technique.

Duration: 12 days

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 40mtr. or 3 x 25mtr. with 1-minute rest
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 85mtr.
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    Static Breath-Hold: 4:00min.
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    20mtr. Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang)
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    20mtr. BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths)
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    5x 20mtr. (1min. surface interval)
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    400mtr. Swim: In less than 10min.
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    800mtr. Swim with Equipment: In less than 15min.

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price without package discount per person: $1350

Please note that before starting the SSI FITC, you will need to pay SSI for the first year annual and registration fee. Additional one-time fees with SSI are the Freedive Instructor Kit Level 1, the SSI Level 2 Upgrade Kit, and the mandatory wet slates (in-water writing board).

The total additional fee that you need to pay to SSI directly will be around $350. In the following years, your annual fee to stay active will be about $100.

SSI Freediving Instructor Level 3

SSI Level 3 Freediving Instructor

The SSI Level 3 Instructor can teach all recreational freediving levels.

Prerequisites: The upgrade candidate must be a Freediving Level 2 Instructor with at least 30 Pool or Level 1 certifications and issued at least 20 Freediving Level 2 certifications.

Duration: 3 days

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 50mtr.
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 85mtr.
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    FRC Dive (Mouthfill at 5mtr.): 25mtr.
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    Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang): 20mtr.
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    BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths): 20mtr

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price per person: $650

Be sure to contact us; Package Discount may apply.

The above price includes taxes, snorkelling fee, freediving gear rental, and facility use.

We run the SSI Freediving Instructor courses pretty much every 1 to 2 months. Usually, we teach them in English. Dutch is possible too, and if you prefer another language, please contact us since we also regularly work with translators.

English and Dutch Flag
If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.

For more detailed information about Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc. Please follow the below links.

Dive Centre Pool
Dinner Night
Dinner at Resort

Change your Lifestyle! Move to a Tropical Island!

At the Freedive Academy Panglao, we offer a wide range of programs and packages throughout the year to become a well-trained and highly-skilled professional freediver.

We run different freedive instructor courses from various agencies. We can provide these courses separately or as a nice tailored-for-your-needs package with, for example, training and housing included. You can join us for a Zero to Hero program or start with a Freediving Instructor Internship – with both; you immediately gain experience working as a Freediving Instructor.

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 2
Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 3

You’ll surely love what Panglao offers regardless of which package you choose! Contact us now – without any strings – and we’ll explain all the different possibilities.

Name*
Estimated Arrival Date*

The Ins and Outs of the Molchanovs Instructor Courses!

You can Become a Molchanovs Instructor via a Full Course, Cross Over or Remote Instructor Course!

The Molchanovs freediving courses are about pure freediving, high-level skills and performance freediving. Molchanovs is changing the industry by teaching all freediving disciplines, offering their freedivers mostly free training programs and bi-monthly webinars hosted by top-level freedivers.

Open water teaching with Molchanovs starts with the Molchanovs Wave 2 course – pool teaching begins with the Lap 2 Instructor Course. Molchanovs doesn’t train Wave 1 or Lap 1 Instructors since Molchanovs believes their Instructors need to have a high level of skills and experience and have to pass at least the Wave 2 or Lap 2 requirements to be able to teach freediving.

After the Wave 2 or via cross-over from another agency Master level instructor certification, you can become a Wave 3 Instructor.

You can become a Molchanovs Freediving Instructor by joining a complete Freediving Instructor Training Course (FITC). You can also become a Molchanovs Instructor via cross-over from another agency. On this page, you can find a complete overview of all freediving organisations and their levels.

 

Open Water Teaching Starts with the Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Level

You can either do the full course, the combo package or a cross-over! The Molchanovs Wave 2 course is the first open water freediving course available via a full course or a cross-over package. To cross over towards Molchanovs, ensure you have the right certification level.

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Certificate

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Training Course

The Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor can teach the courses Molchanovs Wave 1 and 2, the Lap 1 and 2 courses, and the Theory 1 and 2 courses and guide the Base Training Level 1 to 4 programs.

Prerequisites: The candidate must have a Wave 3 Certification or pass the Wave 3 Crossover Evaluation and have a First Aid Certificate (no older than two years).

Duration: 10 days

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 40mtr. (dive time 80-90s)
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    Free Immersion (FIM): 40mtr.
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    Constant No Fins (CNF): 30mtr.
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 100mtr.
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    Dynamic No Fins (DNF): 60mtr.
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    Static Breath-Hold: 4:00min.
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    Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang): 15mtr.
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    BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths): 25mtr.
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    CO2 Dive: 60sec. Surface Kicking followed by 20m CWT dive

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price without package discount per person: $1350

Please note; after you pass the Molchanovs FITC, we will certify you as a Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor. To become an active instructor, you must pay the first-year annual fee directly to Molchanovs. The yearly fee for an Independent Instructor is currently set at $150 a year.

Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Certificate

Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Upgrade Course

The Wave 3 Instructor can teach Wave 3 Courses, teach Lap 3 Courses, guide base 1-4 Levels, assist in a Wave Instructor Course, and apply for Instructor Trainer Course (ITC) after one year of active status and a minimum amount of certifications.

Prerequisites: The candidate must be an active Wave 2 Instructor or show proof of Master Instructor Certification from another agency. Have at least one year of teaching experience as a Wave 2 Instructor (or equivalent in other agencies). Minimum of 50 Certifications (min. 10 W1, min. 10 W2). Certifications from other agencies are accounted for 50% (e.g. 60 certificates from another agency are worth 30 Wave certifications), Track-Record of leading min. 20 Base Sessions

Duration: 5 days (remote options are available)

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 50mtr. (dive time 100-110s)
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    Constant No Fins (CNF): 35mtr.
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 110mtr.
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    Dynamic No Fins (DNF): 80mtr.
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    Static Breath-Hold: 4:30min.
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    Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang): 20mtr.
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    BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths): 30mtr.
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    CO2 Dive: 60sec. then 25m CWT dive

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price per person: $700

Be sure to contact us; Package Discount may apply.

We run the Molchanovs Freediving Instructor courses pretty much every month. Usually, we teach them in English. Dutch is possible too, and if you prefer another language, please contact us since we also regularly work with translators.

English and Dutch Flag
If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.

For more detailed information about Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc. Please follow the below links.

Dinner at Night
Classroom Training
Breathing Workshop

Change your Lifestyle! Move to a Tropical Island!

At the Freedive Academy Panglao, we offer a wide range of programs and packages throughout the year to become well-trained and highly-skilled professional Freediving Instructors.

We run different freedive instructor courses from various agencies. We can provide these courses separately or as a nice tailored-for-your-needs package with, for example, training and housing included. You can join us for a Zero to Hero program or start coming to us for a Freediving Instructor Internship, where you immediately gain experience working as a Freediving Instructor.

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 2
Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 3

Regardless of which package you choose, you’ll surely love what Panglao has to offer! Contact us now – without any strings – and we’ll explain all the different possibilities.

Name*
Estimated Arrival Date*

What you need to know about the AIDA Freediving Instructor Course!

You can Become an AIDA Instructor via a Full Course or Instructor Cross Over!

AIDA is the leader in competitive freediving and is the more academic and research-based agency of all. You will also experience this in the Freediving Instructor Training Course (FITC) via more extensive and academic presentations.

You can become an AIDA Freediving Instructor or AIDA Pool Instructor by joining the AIDA FITC. We always suggest aiming for the open water instructor level instead of becoming a Pool Instructor. Crossing over from another agency for open water and pool freediving instructors is also possible.

 

To upgrade from AIDA Freediving Instructor to Master Instructor, you have to apply.

If you have issued 50 certifications, of which at least 20 are AIDA 2, and 10 are AIDA 3, you can apply for the Master Instructor status by messaging the AIDA Education Committee.

AIDA Instructor Course

AIDA Instructor Training Course

The AIDA Freediving Instructor can teach the courses AIDA 1 Introduction to Freediving, the AIDA 2 open water and pool freediving courses, the AIDA 2 Advanced Freediver Course and the AIDA Monofin Course.

Prerequisites: The candidate must have an AIDA 4 Certification or pass the AIDA 4 Crossover Evaluation and have a First Aid Certificate (no older than two years).

Duration: 10 days

Performance & Course Completion Requirements:

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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 40mtr.
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    Free Immersion (FIM): 40mtr.
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    Constant Weight Bi Fins (CWTB): 30mtr. (dive time 1:30 min.)
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    Free Immersion (FIM): 30mtr. (dive time 2 min.)
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    Dynamic Bi Fins (DYNB): 90mtr.
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    Dynamic No Fins (DNF): 50mtr.
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    Constant No Fins (CNF): 20mtr.
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    Static Breath-Hold: 4:00min.
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    Standby Rescue (1min. Rescue Hang): 15mtr.
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    25mtr. BO Rescue (50mtr. tow incl. Rescue Breaths)
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    5x 20mtr. (1min. surface interval)

* All skills need to be demonstrated with instructor level quality.

Price without package discount per person: $1350

Please note; after you pass the AIDA FITC, we will certify you as an AIDA Freediving Instructor. To become an active instructor, you must pay the first-year annual fee directly to AIDA International. The yearly fee for an AIDA Freediving Instructor to remain active is currently set to € 50 a year.

We run AIDA Freediving Instructor courses every couple of months. Usually, we teach them in English. Dutch is possible too, and if you prefer another language, please contact us since we also regularly work with translators.

English and Dutch Flag
If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.

For more detailed information about Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc. Please follow the below links.

Change your Lifestyle! Move to a Tropical Island!

At the Freedive Academy Panglao, we offer a wide range of programs and packages throughout the year to become well-trained and highly-skilled professional Freediving Instructors.

We run different freedive instructor courses from various agencies. We can provide these courses separately or as an excellent tailored-for-your-needs package with, for example, training and housing included. You can join us for a Zero to Hero program or start coming to us for a Freediving Instructor Internship, where you immediately gain experience working as a Freediving Instructor.

Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 2
Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor Certificate
SSI Freediving Instructor Level 3

You’ll surely love what Panglao offers regardless of which package you choose! Contact us now – without any strings – and we’ll explain all the different possibilities.

Name*
Estimated Arrival Date*

Doing More than ‘Just’ a Freedive Instructor Course.

An Instructor Course can be much more than just 10 or 13 days of Studying!

You now know about our freediving center in the Philippines, our facilities, our fully equipped classrooms and our two-lane 25-meter pool. You now know about the freedive instructor courses we teach here in Panglao. That we run them every other month, dive from shore without a boat, and you might even have read about all the things you can do in Panglao. We offer so much more than ‘just’ a Freediving Instructor Course.

Panglao Island is a beautiful green island in the heart of the Philippines. And thanks it’s the geographical location and the unique location of the academy, we can offer fantastic near-perfect freediving conditions year-round. Add to that; the life on the island, great restaurants, bars, cheap but very lovely groceries shopping, lots of activities for your days off and nice and affordable long-term housing, and then you realise that Panglao is perfect for a long-term stay. And because the Freedive Academy Panglao can offer so much more than ‘just’ an instructor course, many of our visitors decide to stay here for a more extended period and combine their Instructor Course with training or one of our other programs. Have a look, and see what fits you!

 

Join us with one of the following Freedive Instructor Development programs.

Molchanovs, SSI or AIDA Instructor Combo

The Molchanovs, SSI or AIDA Freediving Instructor Combo

It doesn't matter if you do a Zero to Hero, a freediving internship or a single instructor course with training; with the Freedive Academy Freediving Instructor Combo, you get the best of two worlds!

First, please note; this is not a 2-in-1 course - you won't get two certifications with one course! The Freedive Instructor Combo is an entire Instructor course followed by an Instructor crossover course.

Some guests want to do the SSI Instructor course because this course, like no other, prepares them to become proper dive professionals. Some want to become Molchanovs or AIDA instructors because of the flexibility the agencies offer.

The Freedive Academy runs SSI & Molchanovs, SSI & AIDA and Molchanovs & AIDA combo courses.

We are saving time with performance requirements that are often the same between the different agencies. We're saving time discussing and demonstrating the skills. An excellent example is also, with the SSI and AIDA Instructor Course, we add instructor candidate skills video review, which is usually only done with the Molchanovs FITC. We are adding more value to the different courses, running both courses more efficiently and thus can do the crossover in a shorter time frame and, therefore, cheaper. This is one fantastic and compact package for both certificates! Truly the best of both worlds.

Price without package discount per person: $1750

Please note that the above price does not include the mandatory ~$350 SSI fee for the registration and annual membership fee, the freedive instructor kit level 1, the SSI level 2 upgrade kit, and wet slates. Also, the first-year yearly fee to become an active AIDA or Molcanovs Instructor needs to be paid directly to the agency. The prices with Molchanovs are currently set at $150 per year, and AIDA is now € 50 a year.

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    Zero to Hero Freediving Program

You love the water, you love to swim, and you want to do something incredible! You’ve seen the freedivers in videos or when you were doing scuba, and you know that this freediving ‘thingy’ is something for you. You are meant to be a freediver! The beginner to instructor freediving program lets you start with the Freediver Level 1 or Level 2 course and will end with you becoming a Freediving Instructor.

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    Swim and Freediving Instructor Combo

A first in the industry! We are very proud to be the world’s first freediving centre to offer all SSI Swim Teacher Courses. Whether you want to teach kids, baby swimming, adult or competitive swimming – getting a swim teacher certificate is a great way to increase earnings and gain more business opportunities. When you do your Freedive Instructor Course with us, you can get up to a 35% discount on all Swim Teacher Programs.

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    Freedive Instructor Internship

You are sure you want to make freediving your profession – and why not! Who wouldn’t enjoy the flip-flop lifestyle on a tropical island like Panglao? The Freedive Academy Panglao offers the possibility of training and gaining proper experience working at a freedive center. After your training, in the afternoons, you’ll help out around the academy or retail shop, and in exchange for your work, you get a significant discount on the course prices. We provide our interns with basic free housing and lunch too. You’ll be a skilled and experienced instructor at the end of your Freediving Internship!

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    Instructor Course Cross-Over’s

You might be an SSI Scuba Instructor, or perhaps you are a Freediving Instructor with AIDA, CMAS, or PADI, or any of the other agencies. In most cases, a cross-over to SSI shouldn’t be a problem. Here you find the Freediving Courses Equivalency Chart.

The Freedive Academy Panglao Instructor Course Schedule

We run Freedive Instructor courses every month now!

You must schedule your trip to Panglao wisely. The start of your Zero to Hero freediving program should be planned around your instructor course, just like we do with the freediving internships. If you do ‘only’ an instructor course with us, arriving in Panglao the day before your course starts is possible, but it makes the instructor course very challenging.

Please feel free to contact us anytime with any scheduling questions you may have.

Since the Philippines opened up for international tourists, things have really picked up. Not only have we booked quite a few instructor courses in Panglao but have we decided to continue with the online courses and cross overs - they are a lot of fun!

If the below dates are not in line with your schedule, please don't hesitate to contact us. We expect that we'll be running at least two instructor courses - online and offline - each month and are more than happy to schedule one according to your schedule!

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    ~September 4 - 15, 2023

    SSI Freedive Instructor Level 2 Course

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~September 18 - 22, 2023

    Molchanovs Wave 2 Instructor Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~Sept. 26 - 30, 2023

    AIDA Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~October 1, 2023

    SSI React Right Instructor

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~October 2 - 11, 2023

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~October 16 - 18, 2023

    SSI Swim Teacher Level 1

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~Oct. 26 - Nov. 5, 2023

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~November 1, 2023

    SSI React Right Instructor

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~November 1 - 5, 2023 (Online)

    Molchanovs Wave 3 ITC

           Online Event

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    November 15 - 24, 2023

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~Nov. 29 - Dec. 3, 2023

    AIDA Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~December 1, 2023

    SSI React Right Instructor

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~December 6 - 15, 2023

    AIDA ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~Dec 21, 2023 - Jan 3, 2024

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~January 4 - 8, 2024

    AIDA Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~January 8 - 17, 2024

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~February 5 - 14, 2024

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~Feb. 26 - March 8, 2024

    SSI FITC Level 2

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~March 11 - 15, 2024

    Molchanovs Wave 2 Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~March 18 - 27, 2024

    Molchanovs Wave 2 ITC

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

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    ~April 1 - 5, 2024

    AIDA Cross Over

Location: Freedive Academy Panglao

Please note that the above courses are happening, but we still might be able to move them one or two days.

Besides the Freedive Instructor Training Courses (FITCs) for the Zero to Hero programs and the freediving internships, we have an approximate schedule for this year. When you're ready to plan your trip or online cross over the course, contact us.

Our support team - who are all freedivers, too - are ready to answer all of your questions. They know precisely the seats available for the FITCs and the dates of the Level 3 courses. Since we run many Level 1 and 2 courses each month, we don't have to schedule those. The Master freediving courses need to be scheduled somewhat in advance too.

If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.

For more detailed information about Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc. Please follow the below links. We look forward to meeting you here in Panglao – you’ll love the freediving family! 🙂