Why rushing a freedive course doesn’t work — and what we do instead.

I’ve taught 2-Day Courses… Until I Realized They Don’t Work

I’ve taught 2-day courses at a different schools and many of my freedive instructor friends have as well and we all agreed, these were fast-paced programs that packed everything into the shortest time possible to meet tourist demand.

And honestly? Almost no one passed.

Students were overwhelmed. The schedule was too compressed. And most importantly, there wasn’t enough time for the body or nervous system to properly adapt to the underwater environment.



That experience showed me something important:

Freediving isn’t about cramming information and ticking boxes — it’s about learning to relax, trust your body, and enjoy the process. That takes time.

Why Most Schools Offer 2-Day Courses

Let’s be real — the 2-day format wasn’t created because it’s the best length of time to learn freediving. 

It exists because it matches market demand. And that’s great for business and making money.

Most of these courses are offered in busy tourist hotspots, where people arrive on holiday with no plan to take a freediving course — they sign up on a whim, squeeze it in between breakfast and happy hour, and leave two days later. 

These courses are designed to fit into a tight vacation schedule, not to optimize learning or safety.

They often run with 4 students per instructor — the maximum allowed by most freediving agencies. While compliant, this structure limits how much personalized attention each student receives and how many dives they get to practice, and we all know, practice makes perfect. And with time constraints and high student numbers, it’s no surprise that pass rates are often low.

For more information on why student:instructor ratio is important in a freedive course, check out my blog here. 

What We Do Differently (and Why It Matters)

✅ Max 2 students per instructor
More time. More attention. More safety. Our smaller ratio means personalized coaching, better learning outcomes, and a deeper connection to the process.

✅ 4 open water sessions instead of 3
Even with a small group, 3 sessions can feel rushed. Adding a 4th session gives students room to breathe - literally. It creates space to practice skills, ask questions, and even enjoy dives without the pressure of “checking off” a requirement. I find its on Day 4, without the pressure of passing the course, is where my students really start to fall in love with freediving. 

✅ Nervous system regulation is built in
Freediving is the art of relaxation. We use breathwork, yoga, sound healing, and ice baths to help your nervous system shift into a calm, parasympathetic state — ideal for freediving and everyday stress relief.

✅ High pass rates
Because we slow things down and guide you step by step, nearly all our students pass — not through luck, but by giving students the space, skills and time to thrive. 



✅ Our students travel here for the course
No one stumbles into this course by accident. Students come to Xiaoliuqiu specifically to learn freediving with intention and purpose. This course isn’t an afterthought - it’s a gateway to a new relationship with your body, your breath, and the ocean.

Is This Course for Everyone?

No -  and that’s the point.

This course is not for someone trying to tick off an activity in between other holiday plans.

It’s for people who want to truly learn freediving.

People who want to slow down, focus, and walk away with a powerful new skill — and maybe a new perspective on life.

If that sounds like you, I’d love to have you join us.

And if you’re still unsure, I encourage you to check out our student reviews. They speak to everything we’ve talked about.



Got questions about our courses or freediving in general? Feel free to reach out on your favorite messaging app — I’m happy to help!