"But Does It Really Matter Who My Instructor Is?" - Anon

I wanted to address the topic of instructor choice as it has been mentioned in passing to me more than once, and it surprisingly seems to be of little consideration for many a potential student! Often the prospective student spends the time on choosing the freediving agency or the price of the course is a factor, but not really looking at the person that will teach them.

I covered this topic to a degree in the Blog post regarding 'Teaching Philosophy as an instructor'. This was more taken from the instructors perspective. But the student should also remember, this is fully in their control, and with a small amount of research and planning they can really make the most of their freediving course by taking a considered choice of  instructor.

Things to look for from your instructor when making a choice for your freediving course:

• Experience: Of course experience comes from time and practice. The instructor could be wonderful and have the best intentions, but if they are new they wont yet have all the tools to be able to fully spot and correct your mistakes, which is vital for a students learning progress.
• Clear and positive Communication:  This should come from the start via the first chat/message/email. Look for guidance and clear information without being pushed or rushed. The instructor should be accommodating to your desire for more information about the courses or training you wish to undertake. Communication is going to be vital during the course, so this is the first test.
• Organisation & Planning: There should be a structure to the course but with flexibility to adapt to things like weather conditions. If, for example, a course is listed as 3 days why does this instructor insist 2 is enough? Are corners being cut or elements rushed or missed completely? Also look for clear instructions for PRIOR to the course so you can prepare and practice before starting for real.
• Reviews: This is easy to check, though nearly every instructor will (should!) have 4.8-5 star review profile. But look beyond the surface and search for these key words, or similar, from past students: *PATIENT*, *SAFE*, *CONSCIENTIOUS*, *KNOWLEDGABLE*, *ATTENTIVE*, *CALM*.

I hope you found this blog interesting, and remember, not all instructor or teachers are equal!

By David Watson, Owner, Founder & Head Instructor / AIDA Instructor Trainer at One Breath Freediving