APNEA AUSTRALIA - STAGE A
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  Discover the space between two breaths
Stage A: Entry → Foundations (April 11-12) - COURSE FULL
3 monthly payments of $295.00 AUD
Stage A: Entry → Foundations (June 20 - 21) + Integration Session
3 monthly payments of $295.00 AUD
Learn freediving the right way — from the very beginning
The foundations you build as a freediver shape everything that follows — your technique, your safety, your confidence, and your relationship with the water.
With over 17 years in the sport and two Guinness World Records, I don’t just teach freediving — I live it, refine it, and continue to evolve within it.
This course is for those who value quality, guidance, and a deeper understanding of freediving. With only 4 places available per course, each group is intentionally small to ensure a personalised experience.
If you feel ready, I’d encourage you to secure your spot today.
Why is this course different
Nowadays, there are many instructors offering the same certification.
But not all experience is equal.
This course is intentionally designed to be:
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Small and highly personalised (max 4 participants)
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Focused on quality over quantity
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Led by one of Australia’s most experienced freedivers and coaches
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Built around personalised attention and understanding
You won’t just learn how to freedive.
You’ll understand why — so you can become a confident, mindful freediver.
And it doesn’t end after the weekend
Most courses finish when the certification is done. This is just the beginning.Â
After the course, we’ll schedule a guided integration session where we bring everything together.
Based on the group’s needs, we’ll focus on what will support you most — whether that’s refining technique in the pool, building confidence in depth, rescue situations or mastering equalisation.
You’ll also have the opportunity to continue training with me through:
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Weekly freediving sessions at Lambton Pool
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Ongoing coaching and guidance
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Trips and training experiences in places like Tonga, Broughton Island, and South Australia
If you choose, you’ll have a clear pathway to continue growing — whether that’s towards more mindful recreational freediving, deeper and safer spearfishing, or competitive freediving. You won’t be left on your own.
Learn from one of the most experienced freedivers in Australia
Location: Newcastle (Charlestown) / Port Stephens, NSW
What: 2 full days + online learning + on demand 1:1training days as required to complete your certification
Min participants: 2
Max participants: 4
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Book your Spot
From birth, a man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has to only sink beneath the surface and he’s free
Jacques Cousteau
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE EARNS YOUÂ AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED CERTIFICATION FROM APNEA INTERNATIONAL
This certification allows you to freedive on commercial boats in Australia and overseas, and access facilities such as deep training pools (e.g. Deep Dive Dubai).
Yes
| Ratio | 4 /Â 1 Instructor |
| Depth | 10 - 20m |
| Open Water Sessions | 2 shore dives (depending on ocean/weather conditions)Â |
| Pool Training | Static Session + Dynamic Session |
| Integration Session | Â Ocean session / pool session / 5m deep pool depending on the group's needs |
| Basic Freediving Equipment Required | Â Yes |
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Want to connect and find out if freediving is for you?
If you’re curious about what freediving is really about, I invite you to join my donation-based, monthly community event -  Underwater Meditation.
It’s a gentle introduction that guides you through the process of self-discovery through breath-holding in warm water — a moment to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with yourself and the water.
AS A CERTIFIED APNEA INTERNATIONAL STAGE A FREEDIVER, YOU'LL BE EQUIPPED TO FREEDIVE SAFELY ON ALL COMMERCIAL BOATS & FACILITIES WORLD-WIDE
YOU'LL GET TO EXPERIENCE:
- Weekly Training Sessions: Join my 90-minutes breath training sessions every week at Lambton Pool in summer & West Wallsend pool in winter. Once you’ve completed the course, you’re welcome to join us to keep training, stay accountable, and steadily build your skills.
- Depth Confidence: Build the confidence to freedive to a maximum depth of 20m and come up with a smile
- Dive reflex in action: Witness the fascinating dive reflex as your heart rate slows, allowing you to stay underwater longer and experience the deep sense of ease.
- Freediving physiology: Â Understand what happens in your body when you hold your breath
- Equalisation: Learn how to equalise safely and efficientlyÂ
- Underwater Meditation / STAtic Breath Hold: Embrace the tranquility of complete underwater relaxation. Hold your breath, and calmly observe how your body and mind react to prolonged breath holds.
- Emergency Response: Equip yourself with essential techniques to prevent and handle emergencies efficiently. This knowledge can one day save someone's life.
- Efficient Water Movement: Discover techniques to glide through the water with grace and ease, whilst conserving precious oxygen.Â
- Freediving adventures in Australia & Overseas:Â Join me for freediving adventures in Broughton Island (near Port Stephens, Tonga & South Australia)Â
Meet Your Instructor
Lifelong student of water
I've spent my entire life in and around water. First as a competitive swimmer, then as a surf lifesaver, professional lifeguard and even scuba diver.
I discovered freediving in 2009 and became one of Australia’s first certified instructors in 2017. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to understanding what it truly means to move, breathe, and perform on a single breath.
In 2023, I set a Guinness World Record in Dynamic No Fins, completing 101 underwater laps in one hour. I’m also an AIDA judge, and continue to refine my own diving through depth training — reaching 50 metres in the Red Sea.
I coach freedivers around the world and have built a global community of over 110,000 followers. In 2025, I led a team of 9 freedivers to complete a 98km underwater world record — using no fins.
My specialty is No Fins — discipline that requires precision, control, and a deep connection with the body.
But what truly drives me is helping others discover what’s possible for them.
In this course, you’ll learn far more than technique. You’ll learn how to relax, listen to your body, and feel safe and confident in the water — supported in a small, highly personalised environment.
I value quality over quantity — and I bring that into everything I teach.
Freediving is a journey of self discovery and a celebration of the beauty of the underwater world.
Umberto Pelizzari
What comes next?Â
After completing your course, you’ll have the opportunity to continue training in a way that suits you — through weekly in-person sessions, structured online guidance, or small group trips.
You won’t be left on your own.
As part of this community, you’ll have a clear pathway to keep growing as a freediver — with support, guidance, and purpose.
For those drawn to depth, there is also the opportunity to join training experiences in places like Tonga or South Australia — where you can refine your technique, deepen your understanding, and spend meaningful time in the water.
And sometimes… swim alongside humpback whales.
Warning: Freediving can be a little addictive.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, fill in the form below and I’ll personally get back to you as soon as possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need my own freediving gear?
What sets this course apart?
Is this course for me?
What can I expect?
Do I need to be a confident swimmer to join Stage A?
IMAGE GALLERY
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
The Surf Survival course was the perfect introduction to understanding the power of breathing, getting the most out of every breath and staying calm for long periods under the water. It is a breath of fresh air for emerging ocean swimmers looking for real usable tips to reduce anxiety in the surf and develop skills to be more efficient under the water.
Andre Slade, Owner Ocean Fit
I have just done a freediving Stage A course with Michaela and it was an amazing experience! She is passionate and very considerate to everyone's needs so despite the tricky weather we have had a great time.
Petr Lan
Loved doing the course with Micheala, she is extremely professional, patient and approachable! What an asset she is to Australian Freediving!
Irene Lowrencev
It’s amazing how much you can get out of a one day course! Definitely will be lots more confident and calm during big hold downs from now on
I’d strongly recommend it for surfers of all levels who want the confidence and ability to push themselves in bigger waves. Plus it was a really fun day.
Tim Dickson, Manager - Slimes Boardstore
Had an awesome day in Adelaide, amazing instructor, learnt heaps about breath holding techniques and surf survival skills, highly recommend this to anyone who loves the ocean. Thanks so much, Michaela, so glad I came!
David Green
I am so glad to have taken this course with my son because I know he and I will be equipped with this knowledge of safe and disciplined freediving.
As a GP, I know her teaching of physiology and emergencies to be spot on. If you want to freedive well and safely, I highly recommend you take this course and practice, practice practice!
Marie Shieh
I didn't have much to say about her perfect technique and steely determination in the training tables!
William Trubridge
That was an amazing session this morning! Thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge, and I know this partnership will not only lead to increased swimming performance, but also to improved physical and mental health benefits for my team. You're amazing! :)
