No. You don’t need to be athletic or an experienced swimmer to enjoy the Wave 1 course. What matters most is an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to explore the underwater world safely.

To receive your Molchanovs Wave 1 certification, you’ll need to meet the required swimming standard of 200 metres. However, we’ve also welcomed people who weren’t confident swimmers or who carried fears around the water. While they may not always complete the certification, many leave with something just as valuable- a new sense of confidence, a deeper connection with the water, and a personal breakthrough.

We never rush the process. Every student progresses at their own pace, and your instructor will adapt each session to your comfort level while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our role is to create a calm, supportive environment where you can enjoy the experience and discover what you’re capable of.

Absolutely. Molchanovs Wave 1 is designed specifically for people with little or no freediving experience. You don’t need any previous training- just curiosity, an open mind and a willingness to learn.

We teach step by step in a calm, supportive environment, adapting the pace to each individual. Every student learns differently, so we focus on helping you feel safe, relaxed and confident in the water rather than rushing through skills.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in breathing, equalisation, safety and freediving techniques, along with a deeper connection to yourself and the underwater world.

That’s completely normal. Many beginners struggle with equalisation at first, and learning it is one of the main goals of the Wave 1 course.

Rather than teaching the same technique to everyone, we adapt our coaching to how you learn. We start by introducing the Frenzel technique, then observe how you move and understand what’s happening in your mouth, tongue and throat. Sometimes the solution is a small technical adjustment, sometimes it’s changing your focus, reducing tension or simply creating an environment where you feel safe and relaxed.

Equalisation isn’t just about mechanics- it’s also about awareness and confidence. We take the time to find the cue that works for you, helping you build a technique that feels comfortable, natural and safe.

Yes- when practiced correctly, freediving is one of the safest water sports. Nearly all serious incidents happen when established safety procedures are ignored. That’s why safety is the foundation of everything we teach, not just one chapter of the course.

From your very first session, you’ll learn essential safety skills including buddy procedures, recovery breathing, rescue techniques and how to recognise your own limits. We also encourage a simple mindset: just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Every dive should feel calm, controlled and peaceful.

We don’t measure success by depth. A relaxed dive where you feel completely at ease is far more valuable than pushing beyond your comfort zone. By progressing gradually, you build trust in both your body and your mind, creating confidence that lasts well beyond the course.

Most people are pleasantly surprised. With the right guidance, relaxation and a genuine feeling of safety, your breath hold is often much longer than you expect. On average, our students comfortably hold their breath for around 1 minute 30 seconds during their very first session.

Before we even begin breath holding, you’ll learn breathing techniques, relaxation and what sensations to expect. We make sure you understand your body’s signals, so nothing comes as a surprise.

Our first breath holds are never about pushing your limits. We stop before discomfort becomes the focus, allowing you to discover that holding your breath can feel calm, peaceful and enjoyable. From there, progress happens naturally.

Don’t worry- we always have a plan. Thanks to Gozo’s unique shape and coastline, there’s almost always a sheltered dive site with calm conditions somewhere on the island. This gives us the flexibility to adapt while keeping your experience safe and enjoyable.

If sea conditions are exceptionally challenging, we’ll make the most of your time with pool training, dry workshops or theory sessions. In the rare event that open water training isn’t possible, we’ll work with you to reschedule where we can or help you complete as much of the course as conditions safely allow.

Our courses are designed over four days because we believe learning should never feel rushed. By working with nature instead of against it, we create a calm, enjoyable experience while giving you the best opportunity to complete your certification.

Not much! Just bring your swimwear, a towel, drinking water, a snack and plenty of positive energy. We recommend using sunscreen and bringing warm clothes for after your dives, especially outside the summer months.

We provide all the freediving equipment you’ll need throughout the course, including your wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins and weights. If you already own your own equipment and feel more comfortable using it, you’re welcome to bring it along.

If you’re prone to seasickness, it’s a good idea to bring seasickness tablets. If you wear contact lenses, most people keep them in while diving without any problems.

Yes—if you successfully complete the course requirements, you’ll earn an internationally recognised Molchanovs Wave 1 certification. Certification isn’t about reaching a certain depth at any cost. It’s about demonstrating safe diving practices, understanding the theory and performing the required skills with confidence.

To become certified, you’ll complete the online theory exam, demonstrate the required safety and buddy skills, perform a 1:30 static breath hold, a 25-metre dynamic swim, and meet the minimum open water requirements of 12 metres in both Free Immersion (FIM) and Constant Weight Bi-Fins (CWTB).

If you don’t complete every requirement during the course, don’t worry. You can always return to finish the remaining skills with us or another Molchanovs instructor and receive your certification when you’re ready.

Your Wave 1 certification is recognised worldwide, allowing you to freedive with a properly trained buddy and continue your journey with the Molchanovs Wave 2 course.