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"Freediving Summer School" - Kalymnos, Greece
(AIDA * / ** / *** / **** FreeDiver and Instructor Courses)
We often have similar queries from people about our courses and so have compiled
a list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a query that is not covered
below, please do not hesitate to contact the Course Organiser Team via the Online Query form here
I've never freedived before. Is the * / ** course suitable for me?
Yes! The course is designed to take people with a little to no experience of
any form of diving. The only thing we ask is that you know how to swim! On
our previous courses we have had students who have done scuba diving, some
who have done a little snorkelling and many who have never ventured any deeper
than their local swimming pool.
Do I have to be fit? Are there any physical pre-requisites?
No! You do not have to be superfit to freedive. the most important thing is
to be relaxed! If you book on a course then we send you an information pack
which contains, amongst other things, some advice on breath holding practice
that you can do before the course but this is entirely optional. Remember that
Annabel Briseno started freediving in her fifties and is now a world champion
as well as a grandmother!
What do I need to bring?
You will need to bring your own freediving equipment and a list of what you
will need and the best places to get them will be supplied to you by the course
organizer when you book on the course
If I pay the deposit, is my place guaranteed?
Absolutely Yes! If in doubt please email the Course Organiser Team via the
Online Query form here
Do I receive confirmation of my booking or some kind of ticket?
You will receive an email confirmation.
What does the price include?
The price includes the following:
- Expert tuition from World Class Instructor Trainer Emma Farrell and her
team of AIDA instructors
- Pool and Open Water Training in Kalymnos, Greece
- Trips, events and parties
during your course
- The DeeperBlue.net Manual of FreeDiving
- Pool Training & Dry Practice
Course Materials
- AIDA Certification as *, **, ***, **** FreeDiver/ Instructor
(depending on performance)
- Certificate showing you have completed the course
- Opportunity to join the
DeeperBlue.net “Tribe” FreeDiving Club
My child is really keen on learning to Freedive. Can they come on a course?
At present, only people over the age of 16 may gain an AIDA qualification,
however we do teach children under very prescribed circumstances.
If you are interested in finding our more, please email Emma Farrell at
emma.farrell@deeperblue.net
What happens throughout the week/s?
The timetable is coming soon.
I only want to come for one week. Is that possible?
Absolutely! You can come for as little or as long as you like.
My partner / family are coming too. Is there anything to keep them
amused?
Yes! The summer school takes place during the 2008 international
diving festival on Kalymnos and there are many trips arranged throughout
the
2 weeks for
scuba divers and non divers alike. In addition, Kalymnos has beautiful
beaches, churches,
museums, walking, and is internationally renowned for its climbing.
The children’s
underwater treasure hunt and the rock diving competition are also
great events for kids.
What is the student/ instructor ratio and how many people are on
each course?
In pool sessions, the maximum amount of students per instructor is
8. In open water, this number drops to 4.
I’m coming on my own. Who will be my buddy?
We will always place you with a buddy so you will never be on your
own! In addition, our instructors are there to make sure that your
evenings
are as
fun as your days!
What qualifications do the instructors have?
All instructors are AIDA qualified instructors, who are trained in
first aid and cpr with many years experience of teaching and diving.
Emma Farrell
is
one of the world’s leading freediving instructors and is one
of only a handful of Instructor Trainers in the world. We pride ourselves
on the
quality and experience of our teaching staff and know that we are
offering the very
best tuition available.
Where exactly is Kalymnos?
Kalymnos is a short boat ride north of Kos in Greece
How do I get to Kalynnos?
There are a few options open to you, both with charter and scheduled
airlines. Most flights fly into Kos, and then you take a boat
to Kalymnos.
Flights- UK- Kos
Kos is just south of Kalymnos. When you get to Kos,
take a taxi to Mastihari, wait at a café (they are open all night),
and take the ferry across to Kalymnos in the morning. It is likely that most
people will be arriving
at the same time (early Sunday morning) so we can travel together and share
a taxi to our hotel. The municipal authority is also looking at chartering
a special boat for us on each Sunday morning.
Flights- UK- Kalymnos
A new airport has opened on Kalymnos and so it is possible to fly easyjet
to Athens, and then fly onto Kalymnos with Olympic. If you book early this
is cheaper than flying to Kos, however the connections is not good between
the easyjet fights and the Olympic ones, so you would have to spend a night
in Athens each way
Flights/ Ferry
Fly easyjet to Athens and then take the ferry to Kalymnos. Fast ferry 5 hours,
otherwise it is an overnight crossing, arriving Kalymnos in the morning.
How do I get around Kalymnos?
Kalymnos is a small island and we would recommend
either hiring a bike, sharing car hire costs with the other students, or
using the taxis. All options are
reasonable. There is an island bus service in operation and the municipal authority
also hope to have a tourist bus service operational by the beginning of the
summer season
What is the food like?
The food is wonderful on Kalymnos and you can also self cater if you like.
studios and apartments at the Kandouni beach Hotel have a fridge and basic
cooking facilities. There are a wide range of restaurants within short walking
distance of all accommodation and you can feast on island specialities such
as ‘Mermizelli’ Salad, Octopus balls, Galacta Burrico and Saganaki
cheese... We will also be going on a Fuskis trip and you can see pictures
of this in our Image Gallery.
Where should I stay?
Kalymnos is a small island and there are many beautiful places to stay. The
Instructors are staying at the Kandouni Beach Hotel and this is where all
the theory and most of the pool sessions are taking place. We have negotiated
May rates during July, making the hotel extremely affordable.
Studio - sleeps 1-3
1-2 people- 35 euros a night for the room
3 people – 39 euros a night for the room
Appartment - sleeps 2-4
1-2 people 44 euros a night for the room
3-4 people 52 euros a night for the room
When you book on the course you will be told how to access these discounts.
We would urge you to book as soon as possible to prevent other bookings being
made. Find out more about the hotel at http://www.kantounibeachhotel.com
I’m coming on my own and am on a budget. Where should I stay?
We have negotiated very cheap rooms at the lovely Kandouni Beach Hotel. A studio
starts from 35 euros a night, however if you are willing to share with other
students then the price will fall. Please email emma.farrell@deeperblue.net
if you would like to share with another student. Failing that, there are
rooms elsewhere on Kalmynos which you may be able to get for under 30 euros
a night. Remember that the studios and apartments at the Kandouni Beach Hotel
have a fridge and basic cooking facilities so it is possible to self cater.
Find out more at http://www.kantounibeachhotel.com when you book on the course
you will be told how to access this cheaper rate. We would urge you to book
as soon as possible to prevent other bookings being made.
When is the last day I can book on a course?
A week prior to the first course start date, however it may be difficult for you to find
flights and accommodation then
When do I need to pay the balance?
At least 2 weeks before the start of your course.
I may not make the Course. Can I get my deposit back?
No.
I’ve booked onto the ** course but don’t know how good I’m
going to be. If I qualify, can I go on to take other courses?
Absolutely! You can upgrade when you get there.
I've done loads of freediving already. Can I come on the trips and training
days but not take a course?
Yes! However you must be a minimum of an AIDA *** Freediver
What is ‘Skandalopetra’ diving, and the Underwater Treasure
hunt?
‘
Skandalopetra’ is the ancient freediving technique that Kalymnians used
when harvesting sponges. A flat rock with a hole in one end is tied to a rope
through the hole. The diver would take the stone and dive into the water from
a boat, using the weight to pull him down and steer. At the bottom, he hold
the stone under an arm and run around gathering sponges, before he ran out
of breath, wrapped the rope around his arm, pulled sharply on it and was pulled
to the surface. We will spend a day being shown the technique by the men who
used to use it, then you can have a go!
The underwater treasure hunt is a great way to put your training into practice!
Boxes are filled with stones and a number and then hidden on the bottom at
various depths. When the whistle blows you swim off and try and find as many
as possible. At the end, the boxes are opened and the numbers correspond to
prizes that you then receive! There is also a team treasure hunt for children.
Why should I do this course?- what will I get out of it?
Every student has different reasons for doing a course with us but we like
to pride ourselves on offering a completely unique week professionally run.
Every person will come away with different things, but the summer freediving
school and what we offer on Kalymnos is unique in all the world! And what
will you get out of it? Why not read our testimonials!
I'm scared of water/ depth/ - how confident do you have to be to take the
course?
Our Course Organiser, Emma Farrell suffers from a fear of water and depth
yet started freediving and soon overcame her fears! It obviously helps
if you feel
at ease already, however our instructors are adept at calming any fears
you might have and making sure that students feel safe and secure and learn
at
their own pace.
Other Information
If you'd like to speak to us, please use the email form here.
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