BECOME A FREEDIVER
Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland VIC & Sapphire Coast NSW
Master the Calm Below:
1-Day PADI Basic Freediver Foundation
Learn with Melbourne's Freediving Pioneer & Only PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer
Bring-a-Buddy & SAVE $$$ on Course Fees!
Apply breathwork, mindfulness and mastery at the centre of your development
Get more direct and 1:1 coaching time with your instructor in a smaller intimate group (max 6x)
Become a freediver with the right foundations without the pressure of performance
MORNINGTON PENINSULA VIC
+ Optional Training Dives
GIPPSLAND VIC
+ Optional Training Dives
SAPPHIRE COAST NSW
+ Optional Training Dives
ZIP Buy Now Pay Later Payment Options Available!
Please contact me with your enquiry for additional information.
The Transformation
Your ears ache at 3 metres. Your heart races the moment you start to descend. You watch fish or target species disappear beneath you while you struggle to hold your breath for more than 45 seconds.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Freediving isn’t an endurance sport—it is the art of deep, calculated relaxation. In just one day, we strip away the panic, the physical tension, and the constant ear pain. You will transform from fighting your own body into moving effortlessly underwater, doubling your comfortable breath-hold time while unlocking a state of active meditation that stays with you long after you leave the pool.
WHY THIS 1:6 RATIO COURSE (NOT 1:8) ACCELERATES & DEEPENS YOUR PROGRESS
Most budget freediving courses stack pools with up to 8 students per instructor to keep prices low ($349). What that translates to as a student in a big group course of 8 participants is:
- You have more dwell time waiting for others to take their turn, getting colder and reducing your performance.
- When you’re unable to achieve the task or skill, or your ears block, you aren’t able to get specific coaching, because the instructor has to rush you through drills as the schedule is running behind.
- Performance anxiety spikes as you feel pressured to hold your breath under the watchful eyes of a large and energised crowd.
We refuse to run assembly-line courses. The Guaranteed 1:6 Small Group Ratio ($449) gives you 33% more direct, 1-on-1 coaching time with your instructor. You won’t be rushed, you’ll have quality time and focus. With over 10 years teaching experience, we diagnose your exact skill or technical blockers, adjust your body positioning in real time, and teach you how to turn off the brain chatter that triggers stress and panic.
THREE CORE FEATURES BUILT DIRECTLY FOR YOUR
TRANSFORMATION
This course is for you, to learn more than the basics of freediving.
1. Dedicated 1-on-1 Relaxation & Mindful Awareness Coaching (Solves Mental Stress & Performance Barriers)
The Problem: 80% of beginner divers fail to go past 60 seconds static because breathholds are forced and pushed, which doesn’t help you learn how to develop the awareness to manage the threshold of calm to stress and tension.
The Solution: We dedicate explicit, hands-on pool time to teach you specific awareness, relaxation and mindfulness techniques that most schools will hold back until you reach Level 3 Master level. We bring the important learning up to the front of the queue. Your instructor evaluates your preparation and breathhold individually, ensuring you learn to understand the map of your breathhold and to freedive without strain or stress before ever heading to deeper water.
2. Neurological Breathwork & Nervous System Tuning (Solves Fear & Anxiety)
The Problem: The urge to breathe isn’t caused by a lack of oxygen—it’s caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide triggering adrenaline and panic.
The Solution: We guide you through targeted pre-dive breathing protocols (Breathe-Up) and post-dive recovery techniques. By learning how your nervous system responds to CO2, you down-shift your heart rate on demand, turning underwater anxiety into profound mental stillness.
3. Micro-Group Dynamics & Extended Pool Time (Solves Short Breath-Holds & Poor Technique)
The Problem: Rushed pool sessions focus on hitting arbitrary numbers and strict objectives instead of building relaxed technique.
The Solution: With a strict 1:6 cap, you stay warm, active, and continuously coached. You’ll refine your hydrodynamics, streamline your finning stroke, and practice static/dynamic apnea in an intimate, low-stress environment where extending your breath-hold feels like a natural smooth progression rather than forced ego and goal-driven tactics.
How much does staying stuck actually cost you?
Failed Freediving / Snorkelling Trips: $200+ in fuel, boat fees, and lost days spent sitting on the surface with aching ears.
Trial-and-Error Gear Purchases: $400+ spent buying wrong-fitting masks, fins, and weight belts trying to solve technique problems with hardware.
Trial-and-Error Risk: The dangerous, potentially fatal risk of pushing your breath-hold alone without a trained safety buddy or proper blackout recovery protocols.
Investment: $449 AUD
(Includes PADI Basic Freediver e-Learning, Pool Facility Fees, Premium Instruction from a top-tier PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer, and Guaranteed 1:6 Instructor-to-Student Ratio)
Book a Call to Discuss Your Needs
Frequently asked questions
1. "Is 1 day in a pool really enough to make a difference?"
Yes, because the pool is where 90% of the physiological mastery happens. Learning to calm your heart rate, equalise without intensity, and extending breath-hold mechanics in a warm, controlled, zero-current environment builds the essential foundation. Trying to learn these complex skills in cold ocean waves for the first time is why so many beginners panic and fail.
2. "What if I can't hold my breath for more than 30 seconds right now?"
That is completely normal. Your current breath-hold limit is governed by mental tension, not physical capacity. On average, our students swiftly extend their breath-hold time (often reaching 1:30 to 2:30 minutes) by the end of the afternoon purely by learning how to relax their body and manage CO2 urges.
3. "I always have trouble clearing my ears when diving. Will this course help?"
This is the single biggest reason people choose our small-group format. In a standard 1:8 class, stress and equalisation issues cause students to get left behind. In our 1:6 setting, your instructor spends individual time tailoring the freediving techniques designed specifically for your growth and progress.
4. "Does this give me an international freediving certification?"
Yes! Successful completion grants you the official PADI Basic Freediver certification, recognised worldwide for pool and confined-water freediving. It also serves as the exact prerequisite to unlock Step 2 (Open Water Certification) whenever you are ready.
5. "Why pay $449 when I can find a pool course for $349?"
Cheap courses save money by adding more students (up to 8 per instructor). That means less coaching time for your mental and physical adaptation, more time standing cold on the side of the pool, and a rushed environment that breeds anxiety. You are paying for individual attention, faster skill mastery, and an environment engineered for deep relaxation.
UPGRADE PATHWAY: COMPLETE YOUR LEVEL 1 PADI FREEDIVER CERTIFICATION
Get the best training with an Australian freediving pioneer. The first dedicated freediving charter boat operator. The first instructor to gain access to and run courses in the famous South Australian sinkhole, Kilsby’s sinkhole (2015). Founder and founding President of the Melbourne Freediver’s Club. And the premiere PADI Freediver centre to open in Australia.
Ready to take your pool mastery into the ocean? Complete your full PADI Freediver Certification with a dedicated, private or micro-group open water shore dive.
TRAINING DIVES
PRIVATE VIP SESSION
1:1 (Ultimate Personal Attention) From $280
DUO / BRING-A-BUDDY
1:2 (Ideal for Friends/Partners) From $220pp
MICRO POD GROUP
1:3 (Small Group Setting) From $180pp
WHAT YOU UNLOCK IN STEP 2
Ocean Line Diving (8–16 Metres): Apply your pool breathwork to open water depth alongside a personal instructor.
Shore-Based Ocean Entry Mastery: Learn how to read swell, navigate waves, and enter/exit safely from shore.
Open Water Buddy Rescue & Safety: Practice real-world rescue protocols at depth so you can safely dive with a buddy anywhere in the world.
Full PADI Freediver International Certification: Upgrade your Basic card to the complete open-water rating.
CLIENT
REVIEWS
Thanks
Marlon is a great instructor. It is pretty interesting that the course is based more in trying to understand what you feel during apnea than in reaching a time. This makes you feel a lot more comfortable with the training and the experience.
I’m an experienced instructor myself…but a novice freediver. Marlon is a very experienced freediver, but more importantly a very good teacher, the two don’t always go together, but in Marlon’s case they certainly do. He’s knowledgeable, patient and walks a good line between fun and serious learning. If you are interested in learning to freedive in Melbourne, do not pass Go. Go straight to Marlon!
As an instructor myself (and former student of Marlon’s) I also recommend Marlon Quinn! Teaches far more than just by the book. Of all the instructors I’ve met he’s definitely the best.
STILL GOT
QUESTIONS?
Why should I choose this course?
You might find courses at a lower price, or different freediving brands / education systems, or easier courses, but this is a high value course delivered by someone who has travelled the world to learn the art of freediving with the best of the best, World and National Champions. Umberto Pelizzari (Italy), Stavros Kastrinakis (Greece), Miguel Lozano (Spain), Alejandro Lemus (Mexico) to name a few.
You’re learning with a three time adventure tourism award winner.
And the small group and private training is tailored, just for you! This means more attention for you to develop with a personalised approach and feedback available than other courses that have bigger or mixed groups.
Begin on a solid foundation with an instructor who has 10+ years full-time experience in teaching snorkelling, freediving and breathwork who can share the tips, tricks and secrets that only come from sharing time with more than 1000 developing freedivers.
If you’re looking to tick the box and just get the certification, or focused solely on depth or time goals, then this is probably not the course for you.
If you’re serious about learning high quality skills and techniques, and being safe, whilst also enjoying a fun and professional environment, then choose this course.
How long is the course?
The total duration depends on how long you may explore the PADI Freediver elearning materials.
The actual course day runs between 6 – 7 hours, depending on the group size and candidates.
The course day is made up of:
1x classroom session (2-2.5 hours approx)
1x pool training session (3-4 hours approx)
Are there any prerequisites to attend?
Prerequisites
In order to attend and complete the PADI Basic Freediver course the following prerequisites apply:
Be at least 12 years of age.
You must be able to swim confidently and use snorkelling equipment including mask, snorkel and fins
Complete the electronic forms during enrolment – Medical statement, Freediving Practices Statement of Understanding, and Risk / Liability Acceptance.
Please make contact if you are unsure about the prerequisites or if you have concerns about the items required for this programme.
What gear and equipment is needed for the course?
Course Enrolment/Attendance
Electronic enrolment forms completed (see previous Q/A)
PADI Freediver elearning complete and review/ exam completed successfully (before attending the course day)
Pool Training
Pool: Swimwear and 3-5mm wetsuit, towel, mask, snorkel, fins, weightbelt
*We recommend thicker 5mm wetsuits for the in-water training. As we spend extended time in the water, you may get cold more quickly than you’re used to.
How long until certificates are received?
Upon completion of the course, and as long as all the requirements of the course have been completed successfully and to standard (including evidence / demonstration skills competency, in water tests, passed the exam/test, then your certification can be released within 7 days in most circumstances.
Special requests can be made to fast-track release in 24-48 hours (additional fees may apply).
Does cancellation and refund policy apply?
CANCELLATION POLICY
These policies are in place to ensure you, our customer, receive the highest level of service and quality instruction. As class sizes are limited, all cancellation / rescheduling deadlines will be strictly adhered to. All cancellations must be received via letter or email.
Verbal cancellations are not accepted. Cancelling a course close to commencement date affects everybody on the course. Cancelling or changing a course should be considered a last resort.
Payments
All customers are requested to confirm booking payments in full in advance of the event date. Full payment for courses ensures participant registration on the course selected. Participation may be denied to any Participant that has not completed full payment before the scheduled event and any refunds will be considered under the Cancellations Policy.
· All fees are non-refundable. Refunds are only available if a cancellation is actioned by The Provider due to unplanned or unforeseen circumstances. These programs are highly time intensive for our team and provide for very limited places. Once you have made a payment and it has been received you cannot ask for your money back under any circumstances. It is for this reason you are highly recommended to purchase appropriate travel insurance to cover you in case of an unforeseen need to cancel.
Cancellations
A company or individual may cancel a booking or by submitting a WRITTEN NOTICE via e-mail or letter.
Request for Amendments
· If you would like to request a change of date or suspend your booking, you may request to do so within 1 month but more than 7 days before the scheduled starting date of the booking. You may suspend your booking for up to 12 months, after which it is forfeited. A $100 re-booking fee will apply.
· If you would like to request a change of date within 7 days before the scheduled starting date of the booking, a 100% cancellation fee will apply to any company or individual. A cancellation fee will be based on the full cost of the booking at time of purchase
No Shows
If a company or individual does not attend a booking and does not provide notice, the company or individual will incur a 100% “no-show” fee.
Course Late Arrivals
In the event of late attendance, bookings will begin at the scheduled time. Under no circumstances does an experience wait for a late Participant. Late Participants may not be allowed onto the booking or may miss it entirely.
All refunds and cancellation fees will be administered at the sole discretion of The Provider management.
Your understanding is appreciated as it is intended to bring you the highest level of service available.
Should you have any queries or concerns prior to booking, please make contact using the details provided.
WATCH FREEDIVING STUDENT
One Breath Diver
Join me on a freedive with one of my favourite freediving students, Jules Casey, who is best known for her brilliant underwater marine life photos and videos on Instagram as One Breath Diver .
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MY CLIENTS INCLUDE:
WORLDWIDE RECOGNISED CERTIFICATION SYSTEM, PADI FREEDIVER
Begin here, and take your freediving adventures anywhere in the world! That’s the beauty of beginning with an internationally recognised certification that you learn and earn locally.
YOUR FREEDIVE COURSE INSTRUCTOR, MARLON QUINN
