There is no single age that determines whether someone can learn freediving. At Azul Freediving, we assess each student based on age, swimming ability, water confidence, experience, and individual needs.

For our general group classes, we recommend students approximately 12 to 60 years old. However, we also accommodate younger and older students through individual assessment and specialized training.

At Azul, our oldest non-swimmer student has been 65 years old, our oldest swimmer student has been 71 years old, and our youngest student has been 2 years old.

What Is the Best Age to Learn Freediving?

For most students, 12 to 60 years old is our general range for regular group classes.

However, age alone does not determine readiness. Swimming ability, comfort in the water, confidence, and individual goals are also important.

For children, seniors, and students with limited water experience, we may recommend several sessions and continuous training instead of expecting them to reach a specific goal in one class.

Can Children Learn Freediving?

Yes, but younger children require a different approach.

Our youngest student at Azul Freediving was 2 years old. At this age, the goal is not depth or performance.

The focus is on water comfort, confidence, familiarity, and enjoying the experience.

For older children who are ready for structured freediving training, Azul also offers RAID certification courses according to the applicable course requirements and age guidelines.

Can Seniors Learn Freediving?

Yes. Our experience includes students well beyond the typical group-class age range.

Our oldest non-swimmer student was 65, while our oldest swimmer student was 71.

For older beginners, especially those who are not confident swimmers, the focus is more on comfort and confidence in the water rather than chasing depth.

Some students may need several sessions and continuous practice to reach their personal goals—and that's completely fine.

What Age Is Required for Freediving Certification?

Azul Freediving offers RAID freediving certification courses, with age requirements depending on the specific course.

Our certification pathway includes:

• Foundation Freediver – minimum age 10

• Open Water Freediver – minimum age 12

• Advanced Freediver – minimum age 15

For the Advanced Freediver course, RAID requires students to be at least 15 years old, have completed the RAID Open Water Freediver course or equivalent, and have logged at least six freediving sessions. Minors also require guardian permission.

Age requirements and prerequisites are different from the minimum age for becoming a RAID instructor, which is 18.

What About Freediving Workshops and Non-Certification Classes?

Our non-certification freediving workshops and training sessions do not have one fixed minimum age.

Instead, Azul Freediving assesses the student and recommends whether a private or group class is appropriate.

For our regular group/joiner classes, our general recommended age range is 12 to 60 years old. This allows us to maintain a suitable pace and class environment for the group.

For private classes, we can accommodate much younger or older students when appropriate. Our youngest student has been 2 years old.

However, very young students and special-age students have different needs. These sessions are focused primarily on water comfort, confidence, familiarity, and safe interaction with the water, rather than depth or performance.

Younger children may also require multiple sessions and continuous training to reach their individual goals.

At Azul, we believe the goal isn't always to go deeper. For some students, the biggest achievement is simply becoming more comfortable in the water.

Because certification requirements can change and may include prerequisites beyond age, we assess students before enrolling them in a certification course.

RAID currently lists Foundation Freediver and Open Water Freediver as separate certification levels, with students able to progress between them.

What Is More Important Than Age?

For special-age students, our priority is comfort in the water.

We look at:

• Water confidence

• Swimming ability

• Previous experience

• Ability to follow instructions

• Individual goals

• Comfort and safety during training

A 12-year-old beginner and a 65-year-old non-swimmer may require completely different teaching approaches.

That's why Azul Freediving doesn't use age alone to determine how a student should progress.

Ready to Start?

Whether you're a child discovering the water, an adult learning freediving for the first time, or a senior looking for a new experience, Azul Freediving can assess your needs and recommend an appropriate training approach.

Your age doesn't have to define your starting point. Your comfort in the water does.