Freedive-Harvesting/Spearfishing

This course bridges the gap for the 'certified freediver' allowing them to grow as a safe and competent freediver, adapting to safe, efficient and conscientious Freedive-Harvesting and Spearfishing methods and practices.

Freediving within their certification standards, students will be taught the fundamentals of safe Freedive-Harvesting, band-powered device handling as well as the basics of Ethical Freedive-Harvesting and Local Rules and Regulations. 

Focus of instructional material in BD's Freedive-Harvesting Courses will be on:

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  • Proper safety practices and procedures for freedive-harvesting and spearfishing as a safe-buddy system

  • Proper execution of safe-buddy system protocols

  • Classroom Knowledge and Development and In-water skill development covering such topics as: handling of band powered devices, safe freediving practices while harvesting, line management, signals & communication, risk management and how to navigate the basic rules & regulation of local law.

  • Freedive-harvesting/spearfishing equipment use, management and maintenance. Learn the benefits specific freedive-harvesting/spearfishing equipment: why it works, how to maximize it's potential and how to keep your gear working for you.

Course Format:

Bottom Dwellers' Freedive-Harvesting Courses will be held between a classroom environment, confined water sessions and open water sessions. For up to date information on these locations check out the course details for the specific course or package you wish to attend.

  • 1.5-2 days courses (specific courses and locations vary depending on scheduling, be sure to consult the specific course you are interested in taking for most up to date details)

  • Over the course you will have in some shape or form:

    • 2 classroom sessions (total of 6 hours*)

    • 1 shore/confined water handling session (total of 1.5 hours)

    • 1 open water handling session (total of 1.5 hours)

    • *For certain Freedive-Harvester & Tide to Table Packages the classroom/knowledge and development time is condensed to a 4 hour session to accommodate the weekend schedule. Please refer to your specific course schedule for this information.

Course prerequisites:

  • Have a full understanding the Bottom Dwellers Liability Release found in the link of the waiver set below. Acknowledge your understanding and agreement to this liability release and its terms by completing the Adobe Sign contract presented digitally by Bottom Dwellers prior to payment.

  • Fully read and understand the terms of the Medical Form and make any arrangements required for doctor’s stamp and signature prior to course.

  • Good bill of health and fitness - (see attached medical form)

  • To manage spearguns while diving participants must hold a freediving certification of equal or greater standing than the ‘PFI Basic Freediver’ level and must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

  • To manage polespears participants must have taken an ‘Advanced Snorkeler’ or higher rated course with Bottom Dwellers or hold a freediving certification of equal or greater standing than the ‘PFI Basic Freediver’ level and must be a minimum of 11 years of age

Equipment Requirements:

As part of the instruction for Bottom Dwellers' Freedive-Harvesting and Spearfishing courses, you will learn to select, manage and maintain your personal freediving equipment as well as equipment provided by Bottom Dwellers Freediving.

The Freedive-Harvesting Course requires each student to have in their possession for the course:

  • Full Wetsuit (5-7mm for cold-water locations, with a strong recommendation of a 7mm freediving suit or at a minimum 5mm open-cell freediving suit. Open water sessions are long and the cold can affect your performance and experience in the course)

  • Mask & Snorkel

  • Weight-Belt and weights

  • Fins

  • Dive Knife

  • Timing device or Dive Computer

  • Dive Light (recommended, but not required)

Students will be provided the privilege of learning to use band-powered devices to the limits of their abilities and certifications within the course setting. The band-powered devices used will be provided by Bottom Dwellers and come as a speargun or pole-spear, float line and float assembly to Bottom Dwellers Standards.

*If Freediver Certification is not achieved during the PFI Freediver Course preceding the Freedive-Harvesting Course, the student will be limited in their use of band-powered devices as to their abilities for creating a safe instructional and learning environment.

***Costs may vary from course to course and location to location. Please check the specific course for which you wish to register for accurate and up to date pricing on this particular course.***

Included in the cost of the course is:

  • Personalized instruction from a highly trained freediving professional and marine harvesting enthusiast.

  • 1 instructor/assistant : 6 student divers ratio. Bottom Dwellers offers a very small class ratio to maximize the experience of its students and allow for less time between dives during its open water sessions. (if this ratio changes for a specific course it will be noted and price adjusted accordingly)

  • Classroom, Confined Water and Open-Water instruction

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A COURSE: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Step 1: Confirm Course Availability on site or Book a Private
Step 2: Download, read fully and have a complete understanding of the liability Release.
Step 3: Fill out the Registration form below on this page after referencing the course equipment requirements and medical form links below.
Step 4: Upon receipt of your registration form we will send you an ‘Adobe Sign’ agreement as acknowledgement of the liability waiver. When you have a full understanding of the liability release and you consent to its terms you may fill out and complete the agreement.
Step 5: After completing your electronic liability waiver acknowledgement via Adobe Sign you will be prompted to Make Payment for your seat for the desired available course with us via e-transfer.

After the Adobe Sign liability release acknowledgement is complete and the form below on this page has been submitted you may arrange for payments with Bottom Dwellers via E-transfer. You will receive a receipt for your payment which will be input by us manually through Online Store via ‘Squareup’.

IF A COURSE IS FULL and you wish to be WAITLISTED please feel free contact Bottom Dwellers
***Privates can be book off 4-6 person minimums pending the course.***