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the course showdown AIDA vs. APNEA ACADEMY
- Thread startertitan
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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thanks sgnips although you have not been in both I'm pleased to hear your thruth
fcallagy I also have the book that why asked and the question refers about both courses there lot's of offers in terms of education I think FIT probably is the most well strutered and more open to general public besides thoses who just want to improve apnea, there is also PFI , AIDA is the most with more divisions *,**,***,****, etc... honestly this seems to me that some of these could be just one (***,****) since some topics are equal, anyway if I'm gonna have pupils I want to be beside the best, more flexible and fun in the market
fcallagy I also have the book that why asked and the question refers about both courses there lot's of offers in terms of education I think FIT probably is the most well strutered and more open to general public besides thoses who just want to improve apnea, there is also PFI , AIDA is the most with more divisions *,**,***,****, etc... honestly this seems to me that some of these could be just one (***,****) since some topics are equal, anyway if I'm gonna have pupils I want to be beside the best, more flexible and fun in the market
dont discount FDI! quite good structure with over laps too AIDA more 3 levels:
- level A: beginner freediving : 2min, 12m kind level
- Level B: intermediate: 3min: 20+m frenzel, glide phase etc
- Level C: advanced freediving: mouthfill, advanced breathing and Pranayama etc
basically 2* 3* 4* AIDA courses with a couple of other view points.
Erez is quite into FRC diving which is made evidant in the later course but only as an alturnative dive method.
DD
- level A: beginner freediving : 2min, 12m kind level
- Level B: intermediate: 3min: 20+m frenzel, glide phase etc
- Level C: advanced freediving: mouthfill, advanced breathing and Pranayama etc
basically 2* 3* 4* AIDA courses with a couple of other view points.
Erez is quite into FRC diving which is made evidant in the later course but only as an alturnative dive method.
DD
Couldn't a guy just take the instrutor course :S I learned freediving in the old days and learned most stuff all by myself and in the past year thru DB feels awful to hav to do 2* course the 3* it's ok I feel it more useful not only for me but for everyone the 2* looks pretty much as the beginner course 1* I did a lot's 20m pack, inhale, FRC, I usally play arround 10 20m depth it's usually whre most fun (and hunting)happens 
as for AA instructor course you should consider these practical requirements: 30+m CWT, 4' STA, 75m DYN
also, even if having taken 1-2-3rd level courses is not really needed to take the instructor courses (some of us just took a stage with Umberto and he checked out they were enough skilled to become instructors), you are asked to be strong with the theorical part of the program, this involvin pysics, physiology, and other freediving stuff i'm not gonna explain here
Our bible for this is the Freediving Manual by Umberto, of course
we also have the KAD program (Kids As Dolphins), for kids from 7 to 12 years old, only in italy by this time, that's great stuff, i'm gonna take the instructor course for that next month
also, even if having taken 1-2-3rd level courses is not really needed to take the instructor courses (some of us just took a stage with Umberto and he checked out they were enough skilled to become instructors), you are asked to be strong with the theorical part of the program, this involvin pysics, physiology, and other freediving stuff i'm not gonna explain here
Our bible for this is the Freediving Manual by Umberto, of course
we also have the KAD program (Kids As Dolphins), for kids from 7 to 12 years old, only in italy by this time, that's great stuff, i'm gonna take the instructor course for that next month
I'm not affraid of pratical I dive often or theorical, I was ex biology lab freak but don't want to see a lab ever in my life, it's just I want to see wich is better and is more open to the general public, I think I'm gonna stay a month or so working in dahab doing god knows what just to dive in waters with more than 5 m visibility and more than a couple of fish in the afternoon consider that my dives sometimes cover more than 1nm:crutchand get sun burned and not pulotion or oil burn:duh
I forgot to mention stupid sea storms in winter gosh I love northen portuguese coast :blackeye
I think take the chance and also ceck apnea academy dahab or freedivedahab these are the places that people talk most and everyone is always happy, makes even feel odd like no complains?!?!?capable of pleasing everyone it's like:thankyou
anyway sgnips teaching in italy must rocks lot's of freedivers and spearos there(huge hidden potential:martial)
but don't want to see a lab ever in my life, it's just I want to see wich is better and is more open to the general public, I think I'm gonna stay a month or so working in dahab doing god knows what just to dive in waters with more than 5 m visibility and more than a couple of fish in the afternoon consider that my dives sometimes cover more than 1nm:crutchand get sun burned and not pulotion or oil burn:duh I forgot to mention stupid sea storms in winter gosh I love northen portuguese coast :blackeye
I think take the chance and also ceck apnea academy dahab or freedivedahab these are the places that people talk most and everyone is always happy, makes even feel odd like no complains?!?!?capable of pleasing everyone it's like:thankyou
anyway sgnips teaching in italy must rocks lot's of freedivers and spearos there(huge hidden potential:martial)
I think in the end it remains a personal choice of preference which education system suits your character / style better . I always hate these "this is better then that " comparisons since they lead to nothing.
Just go and find out for yourselves. Visit some of the schools, talk to the instructors and more important some ex students and then just have fun. I don't think there are really bad classes out there (at least I hope not , but be a little wary of people that tell you you can do 3 levels in one weekend) and a lot depends on your own enthusiasme and energy you put in there.
I attended AIDA classes and Apnea Academy classes and now act as AA instructor since a coupe of years. I have good friends who give AIDA classes and we get on very well and send each other students if they ask for classes in other locations.
Dahab is a good place to start, since there you will find AIDA and AA instructors in he same place and not to forget perfect dive situations, but as mentioned by others there are more smaller systems around worth checking. Also some advanced freedivers offer stages which are always worth wile and not bound to any system. I have done at least 4 stages and learned a lot each time without receiving any certificate.
If you just want a certificate , print/photoshop one yourselves rofl
Have fun !!!! (rule number one at AA ;-)
Just go and find out for yourselves. Visit some of the schools, talk to the instructors and more important some ex students and then just have fun. I don't think there are really bad classes out there (at least I hope not , but be a little wary of people that tell you you can do 3 levels in one weekend) and a lot depends on your own enthusiasme and energy you put in there.
I attended AIDA classes and Apnea Academy classes and now act as AA instructor since a coupe of years. I have good friends who give AIDA classes and we get on very well and send each other students if they ask for classes in other locations.
Dahab is a good place to start, since there you will find AIDA and AA instructors in he same place and not to forget perfect dive situations, but as mentioned by others there are more smaller systems around worth checking. Also some advanced freedivers offer stages which are always worth wile and not bound to any system. I have done at least 4 stages and learned a lot each time without receiving any certificate.
If you just want a certificate , print/photoshop one yourselves rofl
Have fun !!!! (rule number one at AA ;-)
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that's right: Umberto holds stages in both italian and english language, both in Sardinia and Sharm
Also, Federico Mana holds freediving and breathing techniques stages in many places, he is an AIDA and AA instructor, i guess he might be a good reference for you, titan
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I have taken the AA instructor course aswell as AIDA instructor.
I have been at a PFI course and a couple of other courses.
I your purpose is to become a better freediver, learn about your hidden abilities. The mentor apprentice approach is better. Finding a PERSON you trust, not system.
Both Aida and AA are standardized systems, you are unique.
But having said this - the AA course was much MORE and much more professional than Aida. But the Aida instructor instructor Francois G is a terribly good pedagogic instructor.
Its not just knowing about freediving, and beeing a good diver yourself. Its a bout how you relay the knowledge - pedagogy.
Sebastian
Freediving - articles, courses, news, stories, equipment, inspiration
I have been at a PFI course and a couple of other courses.
I your purpose is to become a better freediver, learn about your hidden abilities. The mentor apprentice approach is better. Finding a PERSON you trust, not system.
Both Aida and AA are standardized systems, you are unique.
But having said this - the AA course was much MORE and much more professional than Aida. But the Aida instructor instructor Francois G is a terribly good pedagogic instructor.
Its not just knowing about freediving, and beeing a good diver yourself. Its a bout how you relay the knowledge - pedagogy.
Sebastian
Freediving - articles, courses, news, stories, equipment, inspiration
on another point cebaztian do AA give out certifcation cards on your behalf when you pass students and if so are they quick. Seems to be a lot of trouble with aida on this seemingly small issue but one which seems to annoy a lot of students as I am sure they want to show their friends their new certifaction.
I over thought the whole thing too (aida/aa..) , I ended up doing neither, a course with Martin Stepaneck (3 student group, was lucky). F.I.I. Freediving Instructors International - from the beginner to the instructor
I have since dived with AA and AIDA freedivers and find my knowledge no better or worse. Having said that, I always secretly admire AA divers style and grace in the water.
Regarding my course, some tips "in between" the official course material that Martin gave me have really been inspirational and a basis to my diving. Even if I did not understand all of those tips at the time, I become aware of them as I advance.
Look for the level and experience person who is teaching, how small the group will be, and where the course will be (believe me, warm clear water does help).
I have since dived with AA and AIDA freedivers and find my knowledge no better or worse. Having said that, I always secretly admire AA divers style and grace in the water.
Regarding my course, some tips "in between" the official course material that Martin gave me have really been inspirational and a basis to my diving. Even if I did not understand all of those tips at the time, I become aware of them as I advance.
Look for the level and experience person who is teaching, how small the group will be, and where the course will be (believe me, warm clear water does help).
something we say to our first level students is: we want you to gain that bit of grace in water so that someone out there who never dived would look at you and think "it might be nice to learn freediving"
it's nice to hear we got it!! thanks azapa
great input cebaztian that was exactly what I was thinking, it's really good when I hear I really liked that course ith pfi, martin ,etc.. I wish that was so many courses back in the old days, I had to learn all by myself, inclusive I teached some people and I was worried that I would give the instruction kit the right way :S DR, no warmp,warm ups, types of breathing,relaxation,kicking, would pass here a day telling about my expirements
it feel odd to me to on course remenbers me of an old lady who drove on the streerts during 30 without license and know has to take it but I think overall it will be a good experience
Anyone here going to freediving week on apnea academy on sharm?
it feel odd to me to on course remenbers me of an old lady who drove on the streerts during 30 without license and know has to take it
but I think overall it will be a good experienceAnyone here going to freediving week on apnea academy on sharm?
I think the fact you are considering more than one course is your answer. I have had several good instructors.
Start doing courses. Once you have done a few let us know how you got on.
Each person will give you something else, and something different. Sometimes you get little nuggets of information from unexpected sources.
Get learning, go and meet everyone you think can help. There is no short cuts by speaking to one person or doing one course.
Off you go then. Good luck
Start doing courses. Once you have done a few let us know how you got on.
Each person will give you something else, and something different. Sometimes you get little nuggets of information from unexpected sources.
Get learning, go and meet everyone you think can help. There is no short cuts by speaking to one person or doing one course.
Off you go then. Good luck