Instructor
Apnea Total Instructor Course (ATIC)
2 to 4 weeks
Teach both beginner and advanced freediving courses, blending psychology, safety, pedagogy, and real-world experience. Includes instructor certifications, small-group mentoring, and the option to teach globally or join the Orenda team.
The Apnea Total Instructor Course (ATIC) is where you turn freediving from a passion into a profession. Over two to four weeks, mentored directly by an Instructor Trainer, you learn to teach both beginner and advanced courses, blending psychology, safety, pedagogy, and a lot of real-world teaching practice. You graduate able to certify your own students, with the option to teach anywhere in the world or join the Orenda team here in Koh Tao. The mentoring is small-group and hands-on, so you leave genuinely ready to lead.
What is included
- 2 to 4 weeks of instructor training and mentoring
- Teaching psychology, safety and pedagogy
- Small-group, hands-on mentoring from an Instructor Trainer
- Apnea Total Instructor certifications
- Option to teach globally or join the Orenda team
Frequently asked questions
What do I need before becoming an instructor?
You should already be an experienced, advanced freediver before starting an instructor course. Exact entry requirements depend on your background, so we confirm your eligibility with you before enrolling. Message us with your certifications and experience and we will advise.
How long does the ATIC take?
The Apnea Total Instructor Course runs over two to four weeks, mentored directly by an Instructor Trainer in small groups, with plenty of real teaching practice.
What can I teach and where after the ATIC?
You graduate able to teach both beginner and advanced Apnea Total courses and to certify your own students. You can then teach globally or join the Orenda team here in Koh Tao.
Is this a route to a real career?
Yes. The course is built to turn your passion into a profession, blending teaching psychology, safety and pedagogy with hands-on mentoring, so you finish genuinely ready to lead courses. Some graduates go on to work with us directly.
How does the ATIC compare with the Molchanovs Instructor course?
Both qualify you to teach, in their own system. The ATIC certifies you across Apnea Total beginner and advanced courses over two to four weeks, while the Molchanovs IC certifies you as a Wave 2 Instructor over ten days. If you already teach elsewhere, the Instructor Crossover is the faster route.
Taught through two recognised systems
- Molchanovs: the wave progression
- Apnea Total: clear, focused levels
This runs from our sailboat
Most of our sessions cast off from SV Freedom Fargo, our 40-foot twin-mast yacht and floating home base on the Gulf of Thailand.
See our boat