Apnea Bali, Bali, Indonesia

5Helen Allison 5:00 PM Mar 11, 2020

Great instructors
I highly recommend Apnea Bali. My first impressions of Apnea Bali were that it was very busy and friendly with many happy freedivers from all over the world, enthusiastic instructors speaking Spanish then changing to English in a relaxed atmosphere. I have been freediving for 4 years and wanted to improve my technique so I did the half Masters Programme of 12 lessons over 2 weeks. Initially I trained with 3 instructors Dapod, Emma and Valentina and once with Julia who wanted to review my progress. Mostly I trained with Valentina and became very comfortable with her style. Every morning it was clear that the instructors had reviewed our progress together and had a plan for each day’s freediving. Everyone had a plan designed for them specifically to improve their progress day by day. I had not trained for 6 months so it took me a few days to feel comfortable again at depths I had not been to for a while. However, all the instructors were very particular about improving my technique, suggesting changes to head position, how to adjust position slowly, correct hand position on the rope and arm position for Free Immersion. Following these techniques, I overcame a mental blockage and turning at 34 m. I slowing increased my PB from 40m – 41m. Yes, I increased my PB but my satisfaction came from the way I felt about my diving, the relaxation I gained in freefall, with improved technique. I was impressed with the professionalism of the instructors, being just an arm’s length away and that they were with you at depth. In those very important few meters at the surface the instructors were right there to take control of any situation to ensure the safety of the divers. Inclusivity is a word I would use to describe Apnea Bali. No matter your age or nationality you were part of the group, no one was left out. Everyone ensured that I was made to feel welcome. We would eat together at the nearby Warung Ratna or on occasion an evening meal in Amed. By the end of the first week I was so impressed that I booked to return for 6 weeks in August 2020 to do the complete Master’s Program.

5paulap007 5:00 PM Jun 17, 2020

Greatest Freediving School- learn from the best!
Whether you’re looking to do a freediving course or for somewhere to train to improve your skills, Apnea Bali is the best place to go, I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s a warm and welcoming environment to learn in, the vibe in the shop is really good and makes you feel at home, and the instructors are amazing- all highly professional, very experienced and passionate about what they do, as well as being fun people with really positive energy. I initially booked some training sessions just to practice with other freedivers, but I was finding it hard to make progress and back in the shop after the session the instructors were always giving me tips of techniques to try or things to work on the next day, so I decided to just sign up for a 2 weeks master course so I could work with them every day. In the master course, you’re always with an instructor in the water, which means you’re getting constant feedback and just focused on your diving, so after the 2 weeks I was enjoying it so much that I extended for another month’s master, and now I’m just waiting to see when I can go back for more! Every day I’m diving with them I learn something new, often just small adjustments that make a huge difference in your technique and so in your level of ease in the water. The instructors have a personalized plan for you to reach your own goals, always review your progress, and follow you down on every dive so they can observe you closely and give you helpful feedback. Working every day on perfecting my technique as well as my relaxation makes me see that I’m making constant progress, which has had a really positive effect on my confidence, making me feel that I can still go so much further. They really understand what each person needs so you feel supported, and they also make sure you don’t lose the pleasure we get from diving, which is what motivates you to keep on training even on tough days. The dive conditions in Tulamben are great and allow for diving all year round. It’s just a minute’s walk to the water, a short swim to the buoy, and you have all the depth you need to train. Looking forward to carrying on my training with these lovely people, to see how much more I have in me!