Take a course,
earn a credential
Certification changes what you're allowed to do in the water, who you can dive with, and how deep you can safely go. At Freediving NYC, we use the official Molchanovs curriculum, taught by Molchanovs-certified instructors, in a Midtown pool.
Lap 1 — where every freediver starts
The certification that takes you from curious to qualified: breathing and relaxation technique, fundamental equalization, safe entries, and the buddy system that keeps freediving safe. Certified as a qualified buddy — the door to deeper, supervised diving.
Lap 1 details →Lap 2 — the progression
Greater depth, sharper technique, advanced equalization — the training that points toward advanced and, eventually, instructor-level freediving. Lap 1 certification is the prerequisite.
Lap 2 details →Lap 3 — by demand
For advanced freedivers moving toward the instructor track. Lap 3 is organized on demand — taught by our partners from the Molchanovs Movement. Express interest and we'll schedule it.
Express interest →Lap 1 vs Lap 2 — the honest comparison
| Molchanovs Lap 1 | Molchanovs Lap 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Beginners — no freediving experience needed | Certified Lap 1 freedivers ready to progress |
| Core skills | Freediving breath, relaxation, fundamental equalization, safe entries, buddy rescue | Longer breath-holds, longer dynamic distances, advanced technique and safety skills |
| You leave as | A qualified buddy — trained to train with others | An advanced freediver — the step toward specialist and instructor tracks |
| Format | Private or group · weekend format: 4h theory + 4h pool over two days | Private or group · dates follow the launch calendar |
| Prerequisite | Comfortable swimmer + medical questionnaire | Lap 1 certification — or passing Lap 1 level evaluations. |
| Price | Lap 1 — $450 · Lap 2 — $550 · both together $900 — full grid | |
What certification actually means
Most of the market can't tell you what a freediving certification costs or covers — the big agencies leave pricing and course detail to local centers, so the answers online are a 2018 article and a forum thread. We're different on principle: a Molchanovs certification is internationally recognized, follows a standardized curriculum, and is taught only by certified instructors. Not an informal "class" — a credential with a standard behind it. For what the market charges and what's inside each program, see freediving vs scuba comparison.
Train privately or in a group
Every course can be completed through private lessons or group lessons — the certification outcome is identical either way. Choose based on how you like to train, not which one gets you certified faster.
Lesson formats →Why the Molchanovs system
Freediving NYC was founded on the official Molchanovs education system — the teaching lineage of the sport's most decorated family, used by freedivers worldwide. Every instructor on our team holds the Molchanovs Lap/Wave 2 instructor certification. You're not learning from a weekend hobbyist; you're learning under the system the sport's leading athletes built.
Meet the team →