The beginner full experience: 7 days.

Description

DAY 1: “CONNECT TO WATER”

Bluenery Academy welcomes you to an introduction to freediving in the legendary bay of Villefranche-sur-mer.
This course is suited to all levels, no matter how familiar you are with the ocean : we provide an easy and efficient way to enter the underwater world.

During your first day, you will discover breathing and relaxation methods – exclusively developed by Guillaume Néry, and our entire team of certified instructors.
You will learn how to clear your ears underwater and practice one of the more relaxing disciplines of freediving : Free Immersion.
Your instructor will accompany you at all times regardless of depth, to give you the confidence and security to explore freely.

Learning objectives :
-Prepare your dives by using conscious breathing and relaxation techniques, an introduction to the Bluenery breathe-up.
-Start practising equalization : clearing your ears underwater.
-Train your first breath-holds.

Welcome to the world of freediving !

DAY 2:“LEAVE THE SURFACE”

This course is designed for you to become more and more comfortable in the open water.

The day starts with a relaxing yoga class suited to all levels – a great warm-up and an excellent complement to freediving, as both disciplines place special emphasis on the breath.
Your morning stretch is followed by relaxation exercises, and breath-training.
Before going in the ocean, you will learn more about human-water connection, as we review the Diving Response – fascinating physiological adjustments triggered by underwater submersion.

During the water session, you will continue to practice Free Immersion, and discover another freediving discipline called Constant Weight, where divers descend and ascend by finning only, without pulling on the guide rope.
You will also train your duck-dive, a technique used to leave the surface and start your dive in an efficient and relaxed way.

Learning objectives :
-Refine your breath-up technique
-Become familiar with the Mammalian Dive Response
-Practise Free Immersion and Constant Weight
-Train your duck-dive

Keep learning the basics of freediving, and let yourself go !

DAY 3:“EXPLORE YOUR DEPTHS”

Your freediving journey continues as you improve your technique and deepen your knowledge.

The day begins with a meditation in motion, a way of training your awareness by combining breath and movement during a full body stretch – strengthening your mind-body connection.
Before going in the ocean, you will find out more about the science behind breath-hold and receive an introduction to freediving physics.

During the water session, you will learn how to check your buoyancy and keep practising Constant Weight and Free Immersion.
You will be introduced to a piece of safety equipment – a lanyard – securing you to the guide rope during your dives.
As you progress, your self-exploration intensifies. Managing your emotions is essential to fully enjoy your dives, allowing you to further connect with the water.

Learning objectives :

-Understand the effects of depth and pressure on the human body.

– Improve your Free Immersion / Constant Weight and ear equalization technique.
-Buoyancy for freediving – learn how to establish your neutral buoyancy.
-Experience new sensations, and appreciate your progress.

By the end of this first chapter with Bluenery, you be will be able to freedive comfortably between 15 to 25m.
Keep on learning!

DAY 4: “SAFETY, DIVE TOGETHER”

The 4th step of your aquatic journey focuses on safety rules and procedures, to make sure you keep learning and enjoying the ocean in a safe and responsible way.

The day begins with a yoga practice and breathing exercises to wake up the body, and is followed by a review of the most important safety guidelines.
Learn about the buddy-system, a fundamental principle of freediving, and know how to identify the signs of hypoxia, or any other critical situation relating to both training and recreational freediving.

During the water session you will apply your new skills at depth : perform a rescue exercise, and practice your self-control by remaining calm and focused, in the present moment.
Our team has thought of fun and instructive ways for you to learn and practice safety procedures.
Whether you’re planning on pursuing your freediving education, or exploring under the waves during your next holiday, Bluenery Academy aims to train responsible freedivers.

Learning objectives :
-Understand that safety comes first.
-Become familiar with the buddy system.
-Plan your dive.
-Recognize the signs of hypoxia.
-Perform a rescue exercise.

Make sure you build the right attitude : safety and self-awareness will be the main concepts of this course.

DAY 5: “FREEFALL”

We invite you to join us in the discovery of what is often described as the best part of freediving.
A mesmerizing experience and an important milestone in your underwater journey : the freefall.
That moment in which you become negatively buoyant, and dive effortlessly into the deep… without having to fin or swim down.

As preparation for your freefall, we will introduce you to a series of exercises :
Pranayama – the practice of breath control – stretching for freediving, as well as visualization techniques, a precious tool for achieving your goals and managing your emotions.
Before jumping in the ocean you will enrich your knowledge of freediving-science, by taking a more in-depth look at Boyle’s Law and the Mammalian Dive Response.

During the water session you will practice your freefall technique and learn how to assume a streamlined body position.
Keep relaxing your body and mind, listen to your sensations to find the point of freefall… and surrender to the present moment.

Learning objectives :
-Learning and practicing freefall technique.
-Relaxing your body and mind.
-Experiencing buoyancy shifts, finding the point of freefall, adjusting your body position.

Reconnect to your body and mind, and let yourself go during this introduction to the freefall technique, an important step in your freediving journey.

DAY 6: “THE BIG BLUE”.

Bluenery academy accompanies you in reaching new depths by focusing on refining your skills and intensifying your understanding of the art of freediving.
Today we will be improving your relaxation as well as your technique. The morning starts with pranayama, followed by a guided visualization exercise and diaphragmatic stretching – to help the body adapt to pressure at depth.

During the water session you will become more familiar with exhale diving, a great warm-up for deeper dives.
Discover a very efficient finning technique, called “Dolphin kick”, and learn the mechanics of this powerful movement. Practice your undulation first, then try on the monofin, for an even better propulsion through water.
Keep exploring new sensations, and pay attention to your emotions.

Learning objectives :
-Practice your dolphin kick
-An introduction to the monofin
-Discover exhale diving, great for depth-training
-Stay in tune with your emotions and sensations

The big blue awaits !

DAY 7:“DIVE FREE”

This course will allow you to discover a more recreational type of freediving.
Explore the underwater life of Villefranche-sur-mer, and learn how to apply all your aquatic skills and knowledge to your fun-dives.

Find out how to safely enjoy the ocean and everything it has to offer – from marine life to coral reefs and shipwrecks. Learn how to prepare your dives and use your technique and relaxation to explore an underwater site.

Learning objectives :
-Consider external factors and their possible influence on your water session (check coastal conditions and weather forecasts : wind, current, visibility, water temperature, maritime traffic etc.)
-Adapt your fun-dives, always make safety your first priority.
-Respect the ocean

We believe that it’s essential to cultivate your curiosity, and to remain open to new experiences.

 

Timetable (when booking you will have to choose between the morning or the afternoon session) : 

The morning session starts at 9.00 am and ends at 1pm. Small groups only (maximum 3 students).

9.00 am: Meet your instructor for an introduction to freediving, followed by an open water session in the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer. The spot is a 10min boat ride from the harbour.

1pm: Back to the harbour, end of the course.

The afternoon session starts at 3pm and ends at 7pm. Small groups only (maximum 3 students).

3pm: Meet your instructor for an introduction to freediving followed by an open water practice in the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer. The spot is a 10min boat ride from the harbour.

7pm: Back to the harbour, end of the session.

Advices: PLEASE NOTICE THAT YOU WILL NEED A MINIMUM AVERAGE OF 10 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE 7 DAYS PROGRAM (days off are mandatory between few advanced sessions).THE TRAINING IS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 15 DAYS FOLLOWING DAY 1, otherwise additional insurance costs will be applied.

IMPORTANT and MANDATORY: At least 72 hours before your first freediving course, we kindly ask you to send us a medical certificate of non contraindication to the practice of sport. This document has to be provided by a doctor and less than 3 months old.

On your first training day at Bluenery Academy, please meet your instructor at the location and time noted on your course confirmation receipt. Please bring with you :

– a valid ID card or passport and your course confirmation

– Swimming suit and towel

– Sun protection, soap-shower gel.

– For minors, parental authorization to participate to the freediving course will be required.

During the open water session, your personal belongings will be kept in our facilities. Please keep your valuables at home (Bluenery Academy will not be held responsible for any damages or losses).