Freedive-Harvesting Course - May 2019

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:

• 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.

• 1-1.5 day 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:

  • 1 classroom session (total of 4 hours)

  • 1 confined water session (total of 2.5 hours)

  • 1 open water session (total of 2.5 hours)

Upon completing this course you’ll end your Tide to Table Experience on the final day with a Boat Charter Freedive-Harvesting Adventure guided by Bottom Dwellers Freediving. As a guided group you’ll set out to harvest in the local waters surrounding Tofino where you’ll return that afternoon to have the incredible staff at the 1909 Kitchen, led by Chef Paul Moran, prepare and serve you your catch and harvest over a final group dinner at Tofino Resort + Marina.

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.

Also available from May 3-5 is the Freediver Course in which you will be taught the fundamental building blocks of Freediving. Combine this introductory Freediver Course with the Harvesting course to create the ultimate Tide to Table Experience. Learn more about the Freediver course here.

All Course and Package instruction and activity will occur at or depart from Tofino Resort + Marina via TRM’s Sprinter Van or by Boat. To make your course and stay easy, comfortable and convenient if you’re in need of accommodation, follow this link to see what is available on site during the period of your course.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Koreski