Freediver PADI

The Freediver PADI course at ClanDestino Sub moves beyond the Basic Freediver into open water training, and is taught by Davide Franceschetti, a certified PADI Freedive Instructor. The course covers breathing technique and relaxation both dry and in the water, develops static and dynamic apnea in the pool, and then moves to open water sessions to train in conditions beyond the pool environment. Lago di Garda is the natural option for the club's open water freediving work; the lake conditions at Garda are well suited to early open water apnea training.

The club's approach to freediving is rooted in the same serious training culture that produced their 2017 seminar with Homar Leuci, a world-ranked competitive freediver who spent a full day with the group working on breath control, mental relaxation, and dynamic apnea in the water. Students joining the Freediver PADI course at this club are benefiting from that background. The training is structured through PADI's Freediver Touch digital materials for the theory component, with in-water sessions building progressively through static, dynamic, and then open water disciplines.

Minimum age is 15 years. No prior freediving or scuba experience is required; good swimming ability and physical health are the prerequisites. The course does not require previous Basic Freediver certification, though students who have done the Basic will arrive with useful foundational skills. The full Freediver PADI certification positions students to continue into deeper apnea training or to use freediving as a complement to their scuba diving within the club's regular activity calendar.

ClanDestino Sub's weekly pool sessions and group outings provide a natural continuation after certification. The club community has an active freediving cohort alongside the scuba membership, which means certified freedivers have training partners for pool sessions and open water days throughout the season.