Zero Experience? You Can Still Learn AIDA 2 Freediving

"My breath-hold is really short and I have zero diving experience — can I actually do AIDA 2?"

Almost every new enquiry we get includes some version of this question. This post gives you a straight answer — not to reassure you, but to help you actually understand what AIDA 2 is and what it isn't.

The Entry Requirements Are Simpler Than You Think

• 18 years or older (16–17 with parental consent)

• Able to swim 200m continuously without fins, or 300m with mask, fins and snorkel

No prior diving experience required. No minimum breath-hold time. No certification needed. If you can swim, you qualify.

Common Concern #1: "My breath-hold is too short"

Here's something most people don't realise:

AIDA 2 was never designed to train you to hold your breath longer. It's designed to teach you correct freediving technique.

The vast majority of beginners have a "short" breath-hold not because of limited lung capacity — but because of technique errors: poor body position wasting oxygen, insufficient pre-dive breathing preparation, tension in the water instead of relaxation. These are all technique issues. Technique can be learned.

How noticeable is the difference? Based on our teaching experience, most students comfortably exceed their personal best by over 1 minute 30 seconds after completing the breathing techniques in the theory session. They're often surprised — not because they suddenly became stronger, but because they used the right method for the first time.

Most importantly: in our courses, all students have met the AIDA 2 breath-hold requirements.

• Static breath-hold (STA) 2 minutes — all students passed

• CWT breath-hold requirement — actually under 1 minute even at a slow descent pace, all students passed comfortably

Breath-hold has never been the real barrier for AIDA 2. Technique is. And technique is what we teach.

Common Concern #2: "What if I can't complete the DYN 40m?"

40 metres sounds daunting. But for students who have the right technique, it's a progressively reachable goal. The core of DYN is: upper body in streamlined position, steady bi-fin kick, perfect weight balance. With the technique right, you're not forcing your way through — you're gliding.

Many of our students pass their DYN assessment on the first attempt. Some don't — and that's completely normal. The most common reasons are nerves, fatigue (especially after a weeknight), or technique that hasn't fully stabilised yet. This isn't failure; it just means more practice is needed.

That's exactly why we offer unlimited DYN sessions. Students assess when they're genuinely ready, and after assessment, can continue additional sessions with the instructor to refine their technique to the standard the course expects — not just to get through it on willpower.

Ear Equalisation — Another Common Worry

Frenzel equalisation is often the technique beginners worry about most. The good news: Frenzel is learnable — it's not a natural talent. Our theory session walks you through it step by step, so you build the correct foundation from day one. Our commitment: every student leaves the first theory session able to perform the basic Frenzel movement.

Weekend Morning Sessions — Your Physical State Matters

Our DYN sessions run on weekend mornings. This isn't a minor detail — it directly affects your performance. Even desk work consumes around 25% of your daily energy through brain activity alone. Most pool-based AIDA 2 courses in Hong Kong run on weekday evenings, meaning you're learning the most demanding relaxation skills when your body is at its most depleted. We want you on the water with the best energy you have all week.

1-to-3 Small Class — The Biggest Advantage for Beginners

Our instructor-to-student ratio is capped at 1:3. Your instructor can give you specific, immediate feedback on your actual issues — whether that's ear equalisation, entry angle, or just needing more time to build water confidence. Every student's challenges are different, and small class sizes make individual coaching possible.

The Bottom Line: You Need the Right Method, Not a Special Talent

Completing AIDA 2 has never been about how long you can hold your breath or how strong a swimmer you are. It's about being willing to learn correct freediving technique — and that's exactly what the course is built around.

Many of our students had never dived before. After the course, they all say the same thing: "It was much more natural than I expected."

Want to understand exactly what happens in a DYN session and how we structure it differently? → Freedive HK AIDA 2 DYN Complete Guide: One Pool Session vs Unlimited Practice

If you have any questions before signing up, feel free to WhatsApp +852 92031676 or email info@freedive.hk — we're happy to answer anything, whatever your concerns are.