FREEDIVING IN FRANKFURT

Learn Apnea with PADI — From Your First Breath to Becoming a Freediver

Prices: Discover Freediving 69 € · Basic Freediver 249 € · Upgrade to Freediver 125 €

Format: Discover and Basic in the pool at the Frankfurt Sports School, with an upgrade to open-water sessions

Prerequisite: Must be a confident swimmer; no prior experience required; no diving certification needed

Equipment: mask , snorkel, and fins — no tank, no BCD, no regulator

Certification: PADI Basic Freediver or PADI Freediver — recognized worldwide, valid for life

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Freediving is the opposite of scuba diving. No tank, no regulator, no sound of air being pumped—just a single breath and the question of what you’ll do with it. People who’ve done both usually describe the difference this way: Scuba diving is about the equipment; freediving is about the mind.

Apnea is not an endurance sport, nor is it a breath-holding competition against oneself. The times people achieve after completing a proper course do not result from greater lung capacity, but rather from relaxation, technique, and a realistic approach to one’s own breathing reflex. This can be learned; it’s surprisingly quick to measure—and it’s the reason why you should always do it under supervision and never alone.

With us, you'll learn freediving in three steps: "Discover Freediving " to get a taste of it, the PADI Basic Freediver —a comprehensive pool course that leads to certification—and the upgrade to PADI Freediver, which expands your certification to include open-water sessions.

What to expect

Step 1: Discover Freediving — 69 €

You’ll start with a session in the pool. You’ll get a brief introduction to breathing techniques and relaxation, try static apnea —holding your breath with your face in the water, without moving—and take your first steps in dynamic apnea, which involves covering distance underwater with fins. It’s not about setting records, but about experiencing just how big the difference is between “holding your breath” and “holding your breath in a relaxed state.” The Discover Freediving course does not lead to certification—it’s the right choice if you want to find out whether freediving is right for you.

Step 2: PADI Basic Freediver — 249 €

The complete course, held entirely in the pool. Theory: what happens in the body when holding your breath, why the urge to breathe occurs before oxygen runs out, why hyperventilation is dangerous and is not part of any reputable training program, and pressure equalization. Static apnea: the part that teaches the most about relaxation. Dynamic apnea: proper finning technique, streamlined position, no unnecessary movement. Safety and buddy procedures: the most important part—how to ensure your partner’s safety, recognize a blackout, and respond correctly. The course concludes with the PADI Basic Freediver certification.

Step 3: Upgrade to PADI Freediver — 125 €

If you have the Basic Freediver certification, you can upgrade to become a full-fledged PADI Freediver. This involves additional open-water sessions: descending on a line, equalizing at depth, surfacing, and securing yourself under real-world conditions. We’ll coordinate the dates and location with you.

What's Included in the Price

Includes:

  • PADI eLearning for the Basic Freediver or Freediver course, with lifetime access

  • Training led by a PADI Freediving Instructor in small groups

  • Pool Fees for All Pool Sessions

  • Certification Fees for the Basic Freediver and Freediver Courses

Not included:

  • Equipment. Freediving is done without a tank, BCD, or regulator. You’ll need a mask, snorkel, and fins. If you don’t have these yet or aren’t sure what’s best for freediving, stop by the store beforehand—we’ll be happy to help you choose.

Requirements

  • Safe swimming and a relaxed attitude toward water. You don't have to be a competitive swimmer—in freediving, calmness is more important than strength.

  • No prior experience is necessary. A scuba diving certification is not required. Many freedivers have never worn a tank on their back.

  • Medical Questionnaire. For certain pre-existing conditions—lung, cardiovascular, or seizure disorders—a doctor’s confirmation is required. Please contact us in advance so we can go over this with you at your convenience.

  • Feeling healthy on the day of the course. With a cold, I can't equalize the pressure. We'll reschedule without any discussion.

  • To upgrade to the Freediver certification: a completed PADI Basic Freediver course.

  • If the person is a minor, please contact us in advance so we can verify their age and obtain consent.

Freediving in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main Region

Theory, equipment, and all organizational matters are handled by our dive center in Frankfurt-Schwanheim, located at Vogesenstraße 12C. Customer parking is available behind the building (entrance at Am Kirchholz 12); you can reach us via the A5 and Schwanheimer Bahnstraße. It takes 15 to 20 minutes from Sachsenhausen, Niederrad, and Höchst, and a good half hour from Offenbach, Rüsselsheim, Hanau, and Bad Homburg.

The "Discover Freediving" and "Basic Freediver" courses take place at the indoor pool of the Frankfurt Sports School in the Stadtwald. Because the pool isn't affected by weather, water temperature, or visibility, freediving is a year-round activity here—even in January.

Why the Frankfurt Dive Center

Small groups. In freediving, this isn't just a matter of comfort. Every participant needs someone in the water who can see them—not an instructor who's watching ten people at once.

Safety comes before numbers. We don't push people to the point of hyperventilation, and we don't push anyone beyond their limits. Good times come from relaxation; anything else is an unnecessary risk.

Everything under one roof. 500 square meters featuring a store, rental service, and equipment service. Try on a mask, test out fins, get advice—right here, instead of ordering online and hoping for the best.

What happens next?

If you enjoy Discover Freediving, the PADI Basic Freediver course for €249 is the next step—and after that, you can upgrade to the PADI Freediver certification for €125.

Many people who get into diving because of apnea eventually want to stay underwater longer than a single breath allows. In that case, the PADI Open Water Diver course for 599 € is the way to go—or you can start with a trial dive for 79 €.

You can find all prices in our PRICE LIST.

ALL COURSE DATES

FAQ

  • Discover Freediving (€69) is an introductory session that does not lead to certification. The Basic Freediver (€249) is the complete pool course, including theory, buddy safety, and PADI certification. With the upgrade (€125), you can add the open-water sessions to become a PADI Freediver.

  • No. Freediving is a discipline in its own right. A scuba diving certification helps with understanding some of the theory, but it is not a requirement.

  • The Discover Freediving and Basic Freediver courses take place in the pool at the Frankfurt Sports School. When upgrading to PADI Freediver, open-water sessions are added.

  • You don't need to bring any of that with you—that's exactly what the course is all about. Most people are surprised at how much can change just through relaxation and technique, even by the first session.

  • Alone and without training: yes. In a course with partner belaying, clear rules, and no hyperventilation, it's a very controlled sport. A large part of the training consists of precisely these safety procedures.

  • Mask, snorkel, and fins. You don't need a tank, buoyancy compensator, or regulator for freediving. If you don't have any gear yet, stop by the store beforehand.

  • No. Freediving rewards composure more than athleticism. What matters most is your physical fitness, not your year of birth.

  • No, PADI certifications do not expire. However, after a long break, we still recommend getting back into diving with a supervised session.