Discover the allure of freediving, where inner strength, discipline, and harmony reign. If you've yearned to immerse yourself in the underwater realm at your own pace, lingering beneath the surface until your breath beckons you back, then freediving awaits. With roots in ancient cultures as a means of sustenance, modern freediving offers not just exploration of the ocean's wonders, but a pathway to unlocking human potential and forging bonds with creatures like dolphins.
Led by Jillian Rutledge, a seasoned instructor certified by Apnea Academy International & PADI Freediver, alongside co-host Anne Gordon managing logistics, our freediving certification course promises a magical plunge into the depths. Whether your dream involves gliding alongside dolphins or simply finding serenity beneath the waves, this course will build your confidence and comfort in underwater breath-holding, extending your moments with marine life.
Central to freediving is the marine mammal dive reflex (MMDR), an innate human ability to adapt to submersion with calm efficiency. Through proper training, you can refine these skills and safely explore beneath the waves, guided by experienced instructors who nurture your unique underwater potential.
The PADI Freediver course unfolds across four key phases:
- Dive into freediving principles with independent study using the PADI Freediver Touch.
- Engage in classroom sessions to deepen your understanding and practice breathing and relaxation techniques for mindfulness.
- Master breath-hold techniques in confined waters, aiming for static apnea of 90 seconds and dynamic apnea of 25 meters (80 feet).
- Venture into open waters to refine free immersion and constant weight freedives, while honing buddy procedures, targeting a constant weight freedive of 10 meters (30 feet).
Complementing your certification journey is a week-long adventure of swimming with wild dolphins! Each day, after your course sessions, you'll share the waters with Atlantic Spotted and Bottlenose dolphins, known for their friendly interactions with humans over decades.
Daily freediving and breath-hold practice will prepare you to seamlessly merge with the dolphin pod, surrendering to the rhythm of the ocean and embracing the island vibe of Bimini. Here, amidst friendly locals and rich history—home to Ernest Hemingway for two years and rumored to house Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth on its southern shores—you'll find yourself immersed in a world where every dive is a dance with the sublime.
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About The Host
Jillian Rutledge is a lifelong learner of dolphins and whales. She was first introduced to their world as a dolphin trainer, where she learned from them that freedom is more about mind and spirit than our physical location. The dolphins also taught her how to consciously breathe, transmitting to her the codes of transmutation. This profound experience awakened her to her power, joy and dolphin-ness.
She went on to commune with the dolphins and whales of the world's oceans, deepening the relationship thru breath-hold diving and underwater dancing. She has known the Bimini dolphins since 2002 and were her first teachers in breath hold diving in the open ocean.
Jillian currently lives in the pacific northwest, where she spends time with orcas, humpbacks, harbour porpoises and pacific white-sided dolphins. she adores being in service as a professional freediving instructor, breathing specialist and performance coach. With her experience, wisdom and intuition, she now collaborates with people to bring back their power and joy, remembering how to breathe again. Secretly becoming more like dolphins. (wink wink.)
Anne Gordon is an experienced Humpback whale watching and dolphin snorkel guide in Panama, as well as a Dolphin Messenger, Whale Wisdom Expert and Certified Dolphin Energy Healer. She is also a trained biologist and studied animal behavior and is expert at observing and interpreting the behavior of the dolphins.
She will eagerly share with you her insights, knowledge and wisdom she has learned from the dolphins whales in her years with them. Anne will lead guided meditations to meet your very own dolphin spirit guide as well as Dolphin Energy Healing sessions for the group.