Built by divers,
for divers
How a love for the ocean and a belief in breath-first training became San Diego's freediving community.
Why we started
La Jolla Freedive Club started from a simple frustration: San Diego has some of the best freediving conditions in California, but there was no real community around it. Plenty of people wanted to try freediving or needed dive buddies, but there was no central place to connect, train, and progress together.
We wanted to build something different from a typical dive shop or certification mill. We wanted a club — a crew of ocean people who show up every week, push each other, keep each other safe, and make the ocean a regular part of their lives.
What we believe
Every program we run is built on a breath-first methodology. That means before anyone gets in the water, they learn to control their breathing, lower their heart rate, and find composure under pressure. It's the same approach whether you're a beginner doing your first pool session or a kid at Camp Garibaldi learning surf survival.
This isn't wellness culture — it's athletic training. The same way a sprinter trains their start or a boxer trains their footwork, we train the foundational skill that every water activity depends on: the ability to stay calm and breathe efficiently.
The result is divers who are confident, not just competent. People who can handle real ocean conditions because they've built real internal capacity — not just logged hours in the water.
La Jolla: our backyard
We're based in La Jolla because the coastline here is uniquely perfect for freediving at every level. The La Jolla Ecological Reserve gives us protected waters with incredible marine life, the Cove provides easy access for beginners, and the Canyon offers world-class wall diving for experienced divers — all within a few hundred meters of each other.
When people visit La Jolla, they see the sea lions and the pretty coastline. When we look at it, we see one of the best natural training grounds for freedivers anywhere on the West Coast.
Our principles
Safety is non-negotiable
Every session has safety divers. Every diver has a buddy. Every program teaches rescue skills. We don't cut corners on this, ever.
Depth is earned, not rushed
We never pressure anyone to go deeper than they're ready for. Progression should feel natural, not forced. The depth will come.
Community over competition
We celebrate personal bests, not rankings. The goal is to build each other up — whether that's your first 10-meter dive or your hundredth.
Common questions
Do I need experience to join?
Not at all. About 70% of our members had zero freediving experience when they started. Our Discover Freediving session is designed specifically for complete beginners.
Is freediving safe?
When done with proper training and a buddy, freediving has an excellent safety record. The primary risk — shallow water blackout — is almost entirely preventable with correct protocols. Every program we run emphasizes safety as the foundation.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You should be a comfortable swimmer who can tread water and swim 200m without stopping. You don't need to be a competitive swimmer — relaxation matters more than speed in freediving.
What certification do you offer?
We offer AIDA (Association Internationale pour le Développement de l'Apnée) certifications, which are the most widely recognized freediving credentials worldwide. Our standard course is the AIDA 2 Star.
Do I need my own gear?
Not for courses or intro experiences — all gear is included. For ongoing group sessions, you'll want your own mask, fins, wetsuit, and weight belt. We can help you choose the right setup for your level and budget.
How deep will I dive?
In the AIDA 2 course, the target depth is 16–20 meters. In group sessions, we dive to whatever depth is appropriate for conditions and your comfort level — there's no pressure to go deep. Many of our members enjoy diving in the 10–15 meter range.
What ages is Camp Garibaldi for?
Camp Garibaldi is designed for kids ages 8–16. We group campers by age and ability level to ensure appropriate progression for everyone.
Can I join group sessions without certification?
Group ocean sessions require an AIDA 2 (or equivalent) certification for safety reasons. If you're not certified yet, our Discover Freediving or AIDA 2 course will get you there.
Ready to go deeper?
Get on the list for upcoming courses, weekly dive schedules, and community events. No spam — just the stuff that matters.
Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.