Common Questions asked of the Freedive Courses:
Can anyone do a freediving course?
Swimming and comfort in water is necessary to take a course. You might not enjoy the experience if you are struggling to keep yourself afloat and doing breatholds at the same time.
Requirements are:
- AIDA 1: Swimming skills (100m nonstop swimming, any stroke)
- AIDA 2: Swimming skills (200m nonstop swim w/o fins, 300m nonstop swim with mask, fins, snorkel)
- Medical, Liabiliity Waivers
- Guardian consent for those between 16-17 years old.
Should I take an AIDA 1 or an AIDA 2?
If you are absolute beginner with little experience, AIDA 1 is perfect for you. The AIDA 1 has no performance requirements, so the pressure is off. You just learn to skindive safely.
If you have open water experience (Freediving, Skindiving, SCUBA) and you are comfortable using diving equipment, the AIDA 2 is for you. Participants spend the session in open waters (where you can’t touch or see the bottom) so experience and swimming skills in open water, and experience in using the equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) are needed.
How to prepare for the course?
Breath-holds are more difficult on a full stomach. Students are advised to eat a light meal a few hours before the course and to avoid caffeine on the morning of the course.
What if I can’t complete the necessary course requirements?
The most important thing is that we learn to dive safely know what your body is able to do. Not everybody who undertakes a course meets the requirements by the end of their course and this is ok. Those who need some extra time and training are welcomed and encouraged to join weekly training sessions. With time and practice, you will meet the requirements.
Where are the courses held?
Courses are held in San Jose. There are nearby resorts to book and we can do the courses from there.
ManuMano holds courses in San Jose, being in a more protected bay and predictable depth.
How to get to San Jose, Mabini:
- From Cubao or Buendia bus stations, take a bus destined for Batangas Pier.
- Get off at the Grand Terminal, Batangas.
- Take a Mabini Jeep. Tell the jeep you’re going to Anilao and get dropped at ‘The Crossing’.
- From there, take a trike to Vistamar.
- If the bus leaves at 4am, you can expect to reach San Jose by 7.30am.
Which resorts can I stay in Anilao?
Bubblemaker has 1k per night bunk beds, or seaside rooms - and is very close to the diving site. There are other resorts closeby (200Bar, Saltitude)
What equipment do we need?
You will need a mask, snorkel, wetsuit and fins. If you have your own equipment, bring them for the course. Freediving equipment (low volume masks and long fins) are available for rental. Please request rental in advance to ensure availability.
Per day rates are: Long fins - PHP 200 per day, mask and snorkel - PHP 150 per day, wetsuit - 150 per day. If you wish to rent a whole set, it's PHP 800 for the weekend.
We encourage you to try out different equipment before buying any to make sure they are the best fit.
How to reserve a slot for the course?
20% of the total course fee is payable to reserve a place on a course. The balance is payable during the days of the course.
You must provide 2 weeks notification if you wish to change the date of your course.
This is not refundable if less than 2 weeks from the course start.
Courses can be purchased online via PayPal. Credit Cards can also be used through the PayPal option. Bank deposits can also be done.
Contact Us for any other questions.