From Swim Lessons to the Open Ocean
I'm Diogo, a Vancouver swim instructor and AIDA2-certified freediver offering freediving lessons in Vancouver. I spend more weekends underwater than on land, and this is where the pool meets the adventure.
Chasing depth, one dive at a time
I've been diving BC's cold water for years, hitting spots like Whytecliff, Porteau Cove, and the Sunshine Coast, spearfishing for giant oysters and gliding alongside playful harbour seals along the way. I'm AIDA2-certified in apnea diving and spearfishing, and freediving has genuinely changed how I move in water: slower heart rate, better breath control, total calm.
The thing almost nobody tells you: the biggest barrier to freediving isn't the diving. It's not being fully comfortable in the water yet. That's exactly what I already teach, every day, as a swim instructor. So if you've ever watched a freediving video and thought “I could never do that”, you're probably closer than you think. That's exactly what these freediving lessons in Vancouver are built around.
See More Dives
Chasing Depth: My 14.7m Freediving Milestone: a night camping under the stars, then a personal-best dive the next morning.
A few frames from recent dives
See It For Yourself
A shortlist from my own dive channel: real BC water, real conditions, no highlight-reel exaggeration.
Exploring a Rare Freediving Spot in Glacier Waters
Not every dive looks like the others. This one's in the glacier-fed waters of Lynn Canyon Park: ice cold, crystal clear, and about as far from a typical ocean dive as it gets. It's the kind of adventure that opens up once you're truly comfortable in the water, exactly what we build toward in lessons.
Local BC Adventures
Free-diving with Playful Harbour Seals: Whytecliff Park
Face-to-Face with a Massive Sea Lion: Porteau Cove
Freediving Grey Rock Island: Crabs, Currents & Calm Waters
Catching Giant Oysters While Freediving in Winter
The Journey
Learning to Spearfish from Hawaii's Best: Where It All Started
Dive #2: Diving for Crabs in a West Van Snow Storm
Try It Yourself & Gear
First Time Spearfishing: Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal Breakwater
Mr. Lincoln the Lingcod: Diving His Wreck
The honest prerequisite
Freediving isn't something you jump into cold. Before Marko will take you into open water, you need to be genuinely comfortable: efficient strokes, relaxed breathing, no panic when you can't touch the bottom. That's foundational swim instruction, not freediving instruction, and it's exactly what I teach.
If you're already a strong, relaxed swimmer, you're ready for a freediving course now.
Meet Freedive BC ↓A handful of private lessons focused on efficiency and breath-comfortable swimming will get you ready.
Book a Lesson →
The actual AIDA2 course I completed with Marko
When you're ready for the real thing
I send people to Marko at Freedive BC, premium freediving & spearfishing courses right here in Vancouver. Once you're comfortable in the water, his courses take you the rest of the way: proper technique, safety, and depth, taught by someone who lives it.
Visit Freedive BC →Ready for Freediving Lessons in Vancouver?
Whether you're starting from zero or already dreaming of your first ocean dive, it starts with being comfortable in the water.
Book Your First LessonIn-Home Private Lessons
Single Lesson 45 Min
$90.00
Private swim lesson at your home pool.
Private swim lesson at your home pool.Designed for younger swimmers.Fun, engaging sessions that build water confidence and foundational skills.Single Lesson 60 Min
$110.00
Private swim lesson at your home pool.
Perfect for getting started or trying a session before committing to a program.Swim Program 10 x 60 Min (Most Popular)
$990.00 (1 Lesson on us!)
Personalized, one-on-one swim lessons at your home pool.
Designed for consistent weekly progress, building confidence, technique, and endurance.Burnaby Indoor Pool
Fitness 2000 • Free parking • Tuesdays & Thursdays evenings
Small Group Swim Lessons (Indoor Pool)
$70.00 per swimmer
- Small groups matched by age & skill level- 2–4 swimmers per class- 60-minute structured lessons- Same time each week- Beginner Group: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7 PM- Intermediate Group: Thursdays 8 PM- Lockers available (bring your own lock and towel)- Limited spots availablePrivate Lesson (Indoor Pool)
$130.00
- 1-on-1 instruction- 60-minute personalized session- Fastest progress- Flexible scheduling (limited availability)- Lockers available (bring your own lock and towel)Client Reviews
Diogo is a phenomenal swimming instructor. I have learned lots of things just in one lesson and can’t wait to have other lessons. I would highly recommend him for anyone.
Diogo was super friendly and easy to connect with. Learning a new skill could be daunting but he took me through the process in a structured way and I was able to learn some valuable fundamental skills. Would definitely recommend.
Diogo is very professional and friendly to the children. The children really enjoyed his classes. I could see that my child’s improvement after every class. My 4 year old learned how to swim within 10 classes of 30mins each. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn swimming.