FREEDIVING

How are we different?

Our teaching does not center around diving like everyone else's. Illogical?! Decades of trial and error have proven this is the slowest way to improve performance. Instead, we aim at awakening and maximizing genetic mechanisms, the “Mammalian Diving Reflex”, and other anaerobic adaptations, which lay dormant in all of us. These are the same adaptations that allow marine mammals like whales and dolphins to be such excellent divers. Once turned on and properly potentiated, these mechanisms will quickly improve freediving capability exponentially.

How are we unique?

AIR relies on a holistic integration of its four cornerstone components:
- Enhanced Respiration, - Anaerobic Potentiation, - Physical Optimization, - Diving Adaptation
These components are interdependent, and progress in one requires, and leads to, advance in all others. In fact, our system is designed on a progressive curve that requires mastery of basic skills before moving on to advanced ones. This safe and natural progression is a stark contrast to systems that teach extreme techniques and push students to "grow into" them, something ineffective and dangerous.

Do we have any real experience?

When our system first came to life back in 1985, freediving was a stunt, dive gear inadequate, world class divers just a handful, and training tips shared over drinks. Which makes the fact that we offered standardized courses, with a foundation in medical and sports sciences and an emphasis on safety, even more remarkable. Our system has continued to evolve, benefiting from advancements in the sciences of training, nutrition, medicine and biology, and a cooperation with professionals in those fields, something no other organization can claim.

What have we accomplished?

Along the way, we have greatly contributed to the expansion and recognition of freediving at a worldwide level. We have trained 6 World Champions to a combined 25 World Records, certified over 6000 students, and pioneered many of the techniques now considered standard across all systems and organizations. However, despite this inevitable dissemination (unauthorized borrowing?) of proprietary information, the AIR system still remains unique in its approach and execution, and quite frankly, a step above all others.

Can those who can't dive regularly improve?

Our exercises, skills and workouts are designed to be 80% non-diving dependent. This started with two of our World Champions who had limited access to diving. Training was tweaked so that they spent 6 months working on land on only 2 weeks diving before setting their many world records. It worked for them and it can work for everyone else. So long as students have access to exercise equipment and a pool, they will continue to improve. Of course, if you can dive regularly, all the better!

We build the world's greatest freedivers on land, and then fine tune them in the water.

Can everyone benefit from our method?

Since our methods are based on genetic mechanisms present in all humans, they are scalable to all ages, genders, and levels of fitness and experience. We've had students from 8 years of age to 86(!), and in one case, a 72 year old man reached his lifelong dream of diving to 100ft in one of our courses. A testament to this proven efficiency is the growing number of non-divers, non-athletes that come to us seeking to improve their lung function and overall health.