Lap 1 — from curious
to qualified
The certification every freediver starts with — the Molchanovs Lap 1. The course runs over a weekend: 4 hours of class theory and 4 hours of pool time spread across two days, St. Bart's pool, Midtown.
How it works
Sign up now
"Is this for me?" — honest answers
"I can barely hold my breath."
That's the starting line, not a disqualification. Breath-hold is a trained skill — relaxation and technique do the work, and the course builds both from zero.
"Isn't freediving dangerous?"
Unsupervised breath-holding is. Structured instruction is the risk reduction: DAN data shows incidents concentrate among untrained solo swimmers, not students with certified instructors.
"I'm not a great swimmer."
You need swimming comfort, not a swim team résumé. Sessions run in a 9-foot indoor pool with a coach beside you — we confirm the standard with you at booking.
"No wetsuit, no fins, nothing."
Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Freediving-specific training equipment is supplied for the course.
"Why train in the pool?"
Every skill that makes a safe freediver — breath, relaxation, equalization, buddy rescue — is built faster in controlled water. The Wave pathway is the same Molchanovs open-water standard used worldwide, in a format New York can train in year-round.
"December? In New York?"
The pool is indoors and warm. The city doesn't hibernate, and neither does training — that's the point of a school built for New York.
What you'll learn
- Freediving breathing technique — the breath-up and recovery breathing that carry the whole sport
- Relaxation under water — static and dynamic apnea, built calmly and progressively
- Fundamental equalization — the skill that unlocks the first meters for almost everyone
- Safe entries and technique — how trained freedivers actually move
- The buddy system — one-up, one-down, and the rescue skills that keep the sport safe
By the end you're certified as a qualified buddy — the credential that lets you join coached sessions, train with partners, and step toward deeper, supervised diving.
The first courses: December 2026
Two Wave 1 courses at St. Bart's Church Pool (109 E 50th St) across two weekends:
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday, December 5 | 12:00 – 3:45 PM |
| 2 | Sunday, December 6 | 4:00 – 7:45 PM |
| 3 | Saturday, December 12 | 12:00 – 3:45 PM |
| 4 | Sunday, December 13 | 4:00 – 7:45 PM |
Prerequisites
No prior freediving or scuba experience required. You should be a comfortable swimmer — we'll confirm the exact swim standard with you when you book. A standard dive-industry medical questionnaire applies before the course.
After Lap 1
Lap 1 opens the door to Lap 2 (advanced technique, longer holds), ongoing training sessions, and eventually, our instructor track.
Lap 1 certification — $450. Both levels together: Lap 1 + Lap 2 combo — $900. Full price grid →