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Upon embarking on my journey into freediving, my initial step was to enroll in a beginner's certification course (SSI Level 1), which proved to be beneficial for me. During the course, I acquired fundamental knowledge about crucial aspects of freediving, such as breathing techniques, relaxation, duck diving, equalization, safety measures, equipment, and more. Subsequently, there are typically three options to pursue advanced training for diving deeper.
Beyond the options mentioned above, there are additional avenues to explore, such as receiving safety training without coaching or attending specialized workshops. All of these methods can provide excellent opportunities to learn new skills and reach your full potential while offering unique experiences. In this discussion, I will focus on the choice between certification courses and personal coaching, which was a decision I struggled with myself not too long ago.
When I was planning my next freediving trip for the summer of 2022, I found myself in a dilemma of choosing between SSI Level 2 & 3 courses and getting some personal coaching. At that time, I was diving to a depth of approximately 40 meters, and my certification level was only at level 1, which required me to dive at depths between 10 to 20 meters. My primary goal was to continue learning and enhancing my skills, and the reason why I had to choose between courses and coaching was that I had limited resources. I aimed to make the best use of a couple of weeks and several hundred pounds that I was about to spend and determine what would be most suitable, considering my level of experience and the challenges I faced.
To gain more insight, I consulted several experienced freedivers, including instructors. To my surprise, their advice was almost unanimous - I should opt for personal coaching. The reasons they provided were somewhat personal and specific to my situation. One reason the experienced freedivers advised me to opt for coaching rather than SSI Level 2 & 3 courses was because I had already been diving beyond the beginner level for some time. They noted that the Level 2 course, which has a maximum depth of only 30 meters, would not offer me much new information. Additionally, the advanced equalization technique, mouthfill, is not taught until Level 3, which only goes up to 40 meters (while I was already diving beyond 40 meters with frenzel).
On the other hand, coaching would be more personalized to my specific needs. I could work on improving my equalization, which was my primary limiting factor for diving deeper and finding a coach who excels in teaching mouthfill. Moreover, certification courses can be quite expensive, and the cost of a course could instead fund more dives with a coach at an average price range. This would give me more time in the water and more opportunities to work on my issues.
Ultimately, the consensus was that coaching was the better choice for me, with one exception: if I planned to become an instructor. For that, the appropriate certifications are necessary prerequisites. However, I currently have no desire or plan to become an instructor, and if that changes in the future, I can always obtain the required certifications later. Initially, I chose to go with coaching, but I eventually ended up doing both coaching (remotely) and certification courses (both SSI Levels 2&3) simultaneously for specific reasons. While the situation was unique, the lessons learned are valuable, and I will summarize my findings below.
Certification courses follow a structured and systematic approach, whereas coaching is tailored to the individual and their specific needs.
During SSI Level 2 & 3 courses, learners receive a comprehensive education that covers a range of skills relevant to freediving at their level. For instance, I was taught how to set up the buoy and line, tie knots, and handle bottom weights safely. These skills are particularly valuable for intermediate freedivers who plan to dive with buddies without instructor supervision. In the theoretical portion of the course, I learned about partial pressure, FRC (exhale dives), and how to safely dive using this more advanced and potentially more hazardous technique. In the pool, I was introduced to standard pool training procedures, program design, and pool-specific skills like duck diving and turning. Additionally, I attempted to coach my buddy while doing static training, which was challenging as it is more difficult than doing static myself.
Coaching, on the other hand, can be more focused on addressing specific challenges or areas of improvement that you may be facing. With their expertise, seasoned coaches are often able to quickly identify and pinpoint any mistakes you might be making and guide you toward the right path. They can assist you in correcting your equalisation or finning technique, suggest methods to achieve complete relaxation, or provide recommendations for your next dive. They can even help identify any underlying physical or mental obstacles you might not have been aware of and offer exercises to overcome them. Implementing their advice may instantly transform your dive, or it may require more time and practice to master the new technique and see gradual results through subsequent dives.
By weighing the benefits and drawbacks of both certification courses and coaching, you can make an informed decision on what best suits your needs and goals in freediving.
Upon comparing coaching with courses, I realized that experienced coaches are typically knowledgeable in all the topics that certification courses cover. However, coaches may not go through each topic systematically and comprehensively, so you need to ask the right questions or experience scenarios where such knowledge becomes relevant. For those who have only taken the beginner's course, there may be knowledge gaps that they are not aware of. This is where taking the next level(s) of certification courses can be beneficial as they can help fill these gaps and deepen one's understanding of the sport, which is crucial in managing risks and ensuring safe dives.
To assess your knowledge gaps, you can read through the syllabus of the certification courses you're interested in and perform a self-check. You can also check the requirements for passing each certification level, such as depth, static breath hold, open water swimming, and rescue. These will give you an idea of your level compared to the level of the certifications. Additionally, speaking to instructors who teach courses and provide coaching can help assess your abilities and needs and provide recommendations on what might be best for you.
The crucial thing is to identify what you require at the moment; there is no definitive answer on what the right or wrong choice is.
If you find yourself diving at a level significantly below the requirements for the next certification level, you may want to consider additional training or experience to avoid the risk of being unable to complete the next level course during your diving holiday. This can lead to frustration and financial loss. For those looking to learn or improve specific techniques or skills, such as mouthfill equalisation, seeking out a reputable coach who specializes in these areas is advisable. The investment is worthwhile since effective teaching can make a significant difference, and developing a thorough understanding and good habits from the outset can be advantageous. I, myself, learned Mouthfill from a coach who was a specialist in this area. He broke down the technique into several steps, making it easy to comprehend, and he provided exercises to master each part of the technique. Quality instruction sets the groundwork for success and may help avoid future problems.
It is important to note that not all coaches may be able to assist you in achieving your goals, and that's alright. As you gain more experience and take courses, you will become better at evaluating your own abilities and assessing the feedback you receive from coaches.
Each coach has their own unique approach, coaching style, and area of expertise. Some coaches are more instructive or corrective, while others are inspiring and encouraging, and some are highly observant and experienced. While coaches don't necessarily have to help you fix every issue, they may say something that sticks with you and becomes a part of your diving routine.
However, sometimes tips or suggestions from coaches may not work for you or may be based on incorrect assumptions. That's okay because coaching relies on your self-awareness as a diver. While coaches observe you during a dive, there are many things happening that they cannot see from the outside. So the information you provide, such as descriptions of what happened or how you felt during the dive, becomes crucial in making recommendations. Sometimes, the assumptions may not be correct.
Fortunately, there is usually little risk in trying out tips from instructors. It's useful to experiment with different methods and see what works for you because there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Safety is the most important consideration when trying new techniques, so make sure to observe yourself during the process and build up your self-awareness. The more experience and knowledge you gain, the better you become at observing your body and mind. This heightened self-awareness will complement coaching advice, enabling you to experiment with your own feedback and make adjustments accordingly. It will also improve your ability to assess the advice you receive from other divers, as some topics in the sport remain controversial.
If you're an intermediate freediver considering certification courses and coaching, it would be ideal to take the next-level certification courses and then train with coaches afterward. This approach would help you build a solid knowledge foundation, identify any gaps in your skills, and ensure you cover all the important skills needed for the next level. The coaching can then focus on targeted areas to provide guidance and feedback that can help you overcome any personal challenges you may face.
However, if you're constrained and have to choose between the two, the best option depends on your training objectives and focus at the time. Consider what you need the most and choose the option that suits you, but remember that both options will provide valuable learning opportunities.