Level 1
Molchanovs Wave 1
3 days · Min 12 m - Max 20 m
Your first step into the Molchanovs education system. Learn freediving basics through theory, pool, and open water. Build strong foundations in equalization, relaxation, and safety. Includes Molchanovs Wave certification (if requirements met) and full equipment.
Wave 1 is your entry into the Molchanovs education system, the most structured pathway in modern freediving. Over three days you move through theory, pool, and open water, building strong, repeatable foundations in equalization, relaxation, and buddy safety. The focus is on technique and understanding, so that everything you learn here carries cleanly into Wave 2 and beyond. It is beginner-friendly, yet rigorous enough that your first certification really means something.
What is included
- Theory, pool and open water sessions
- Equalization, relaxation and safety foundations
- Full freediving equipment
- Molchanovs Wave 1 certification (if requirements met)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience for Wave 1?
No. Wave 1 is beginner-friendly and assumes no prior freediving. It is the first level of the Molchanovs system, so it teaches the foundations from scratch over three days of theory, pool and open water.
How deep will I go?
Wave 1 works between 12 and 20 metres. Twelve metres is the minimum you need for the certification, and the course requirement goes up to 20 metres. The course is built to get you there safely and comfortably, and the certificate is awarded if you meet the requirements.
What does the Wave 1 certificate let me do next?
It certifies you as an entry-level freediver and is your gateway into Wave 2, where you refine freefall and work toward 24 to 30 metres. Each Molchanovs level builds directly on the last.
Why choose Wave 1?
Wave 1 is the more structured, technique-focused route to a first certification. Over three days the emphasis is on technique, relaxation and safety rather than on reaching depth as fast as possible, and it builds directly into Wave 2 and Wave 3.
Is equipment included?
Yes, full freediving equipment is included for the course.
Prerequisites
- Swim 200 m non-stop and unassisted in a pool
You will learn to
- Understand the basic principles of freediving physiology and physics
- Perform the correct freedive preparation, pre-dive breathing, and recovery breathing
- Explain the differences between each freediving discipline and understand different types of freediving equipment
- Comfortably hold your breath for 1'30"
- Use proper dynamic technique to swim 30 m in the pool with bifins (DYNB)
- Understand how to swim a horizontal distance without fins (DNF)
- Perform safety and rescue for a freediver performing a breath-hold at the surface (STA) or diving horizontally in the pool (DYNB)
- Perform an efficient duck dive
- Comfortably dive 12 to 20 m with bifins (CWTB) and Free Immersion (FIM)
- Safety freedivers in open water from 6 to 10 m
- Rescue a blacked-out freediver at depth (CWTB Rescue)
Performance requirements
Pool
- STA 1'30"
- DYNB 30 m
Open water
- CWTB & FIM 12 to 20 m
- CWTB Buddying 6 to 10 m
- CWTB Rescue 6 to 10 m
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