How to Make a Living as a Freediver

How do freedivers make their living? Can you make money freediving? Do freedivers live on sponsorship? Do freedivers have real jobs? I've been asked these questions countless times so I thought i'd make a video on the topic. I just finished teaching a freediving instructor course in Bali and I've never felt so optimistic about the freediving industry and where freediving as a sport is going so here are my thoughts! I also show you what it's behind the scenes creating content for freediving.
Did you know you can learn to freedive online? Check out www.freedivingmanual.com
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[@sierrapoyf]

I am 40 years old and I dive 35 years in Santorini Greece so why I need a paper that says I am free diver.... I am free!

[@CoastalCasey]

I'm a freediver treasure hunter. 💙🤘🤿

[@nakedeagle3828]

short version: smuggle roid pills from South East Asia and sell them at the back of your gym in Aus.

[@AdamFreediver]

hahaha that works too!

[@mermaidjacy]

Rewatching this video again. Adam inspired me to follow my freediving heart. I post little swimming video to my channel, but I'm still waiting patiently for the freediving courses to returning after closing cause of the virus. Best wishes freediving family.

[@chrisanschau8169]

"this shot is gonna influence soooo many people"' hahahhah

[@AdamFreediver]

Influencer lyfe hahahahahaha

[@DaanVerhoeven]

Lovely!

[@AdamFreediver]

You are

[@pj4857]

I want to learn freediving But i have tinnitus. Is that going to be a problem for me learning to dive deeper?

[@rudydalessandro1094]

I'm interest in spearfishing guide/instructor.

[@southerncrossphones]

What!!!??? You aren't one of the world's best freedivers!!!??? I feel so gypped!!! :P Seriously though, don't discount the value of teaching. I would hope that you keep educating, even when you can finally land that big corporate sponsorship and no longer need the income. My philosophy is this: you cannot learn a subject better than when you instruct someone else in the skills you are trying to perfect yourself. Believe me, you are a better freediver because you teach. Even your reject photos/videos were awesome... Just saying.

[@TheKirillfish]

So, I’m in the middle of the instructor course right now. I hope I made a good decision

[@robertadamsmetaldetecting6324]

I am just getting into freediving. Is there any information available about when and how kids should begin?

[@oposum244]

There are some great tutorials on this channel which can help you a lot. Everything else is just practice. First, you should learn about starting gear, safety, and practice breath holding, and then just practice all those things. Good luck!

[@AdamFreediver]

There isn't a lot of information about kids and freediving but in general as long as kids stay shallower than 5m from ages 5 - 12 and shallower than 10m from ages 12 - 15 they should be fine :)

[@blakechase8613]

@@AdamFreediver same for scuba or just freediving?

[@robertadamsmetaldetecting6324]

Thank you! I know in the USA, the recommend kids be 12 to get certified in SCUBA. But as you mentioned, hard to find info about freediving for kids. So thank you very much for giving some baseline

[@jonathanwiselie6268]

What the name of your dive center in Bali?

[@things2watch922]

Well I am just starting and I can do 1:30 already

[@matthewparsons3663]

i guess you can always just rip people off to make money.

[@saisaim6937]

I really want to learn

[@earlgrey2130]

Easy: Get a job and freedive in your spare time

[@I_AM_ALL_THAT_WAS]

YOU WENT TO PANGLAO DIDNT YOU?

[@iamstevenwanderer]

Awesome shots Adam! Hope you can do a "How to edit your photo tutorial" - ♥ from 🇵🇭

[@dingho953]

you are great, but i am aged 71....

[@TheTurtleOfGods]

Hey Adam, I am 21 from Florida, just found your channel and subscribed! Keep up the great work man, you are an inspiration!!

[@frangalarza]

I feel so influenced now :D

[@awakeyj]

OMG! I am in the video 🙈 twice! Anyway, thank you Adam. This is a video that I need right now as I quit my job after this deepweek to be a full-time mermaid 🧜‍♀️

[@captnorthern7024]

Yoojin same here! Cheers

[@awakeyj]

Capt Northern Cheers mate 😉

[@AdamFreediver]

Perfect :) I love it when people quit their job to freedive :)

[@davidncw4613]

Is it reasonable for a guy in decent physical shape but at age 60 to explore professional guide work?

[@eulogiakhoja7480]

wait....is that kissa sins? O.o

[@AdamFreediver]

It is :)

[@adipapua168]

please change ur short lol...

[@AdamFreediver]

hahaha I can't do that haha

[@michaelvamper5793]

Love you Adam

[@tonykoos5986]

Hey Adam - what is the status of the freediving facility in Sydney amid COVID?

[@AdamFreediver]

we are teaching remote courses at the moment and in a few weeks we'll start diving again :)

[@bjoernfu]

Ahhh I see as an influencer you need a string Tanga, Adam, where is your string? 😂🤣

[@AdamFreediver]

hahahaha I need to invest in some

[@enricolazzarini2298]

Don't worry! You are great even without strings =) let the strings just for steph and brinkley! Apart from jokes nice video

[@nicolasenriquez1131]

Erin is an ELITE influencer!

[@AdamFreediver]

Hahahaha! Yes he is!!! But she doesn't want to be haha

[@j.q1594]

Thanks!

[@spearfishingstudios3587]

Legend 💪🏽. Very informative video. Thanks 🙏🏽😊

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks! glad you liked it :)

[@Kalwedo_Spearfishing]

Thank U so much Coach.... by this video I have gat so many inspiration...🙏🏼🙏🏼 May the successfull always be with U and fam Coach ....🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@GehirnfaschingDD]

hahaha... you lucky guys! We need to do the same in winter in the quarries !!! ;)

[@AdamFreediver]

I hope you have a 10mm suit hahaha

[@hypoxicdreamsfreediving]

I just snagged the 1,000th video like!

[@AdamFreediver]

Ah yeah!

[@arifarafat999]

How much you earned when people view your video in KZbin adam?

[@AdamFreediver]

It depends on the video but I earn around $300 - 400 USD per month from KZbin. Which is about the cost of rent for 1 week in Australia hahaha

[@junegameart2866]

Thank you for showing behind the scenes! Out of curiosity, would you say making a living as freediver underwater photographer is reasonably achievable? (I mean not in 10 years) or is it more reasonable to target a combo with instructor / KZbin star? :p

[@AdamFreediver]

More reasonable to do a photography/instructor combo but very reasonable to do it. It won't take you long. Only a few months to get it all going :)

[@junegameart2866]

@@AdamFreediver Thank you!

[@spcecw599]

Adam you should do a Q and A vid. People might have really interesting questions. Just a suggestion

[@stephenmassam3793]

Awesome Adam, you and the crew always Inspire the community. Shout from the other side of the pond.

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Stephen! I'm honestly so happy that I can have that effect :)

[@bornodnoc1034]

Long as I can still smoke me durries I'm in!

[@AdamFreediver]

you definitely can haha

[@johnharrison7286]

im gonna guess....keep your Enemies closeer....

[@AdamFreediver]

hahahaha

[@koishi8361]

Thanks for your insights and not beating around the bush!

[@AdamFreediver]

Absolute pleasure :) I've been meaning to make this video for a while

[@thepug991]

I don’t want to make a living, but the video was super cool!

[@aishathjeeza6504]

Can you come to maldives for a free dive

[@AdamFreediver]

I would love to so much!!!! Soon soon soon :)

[@officiallyazzam]

what is the name of the housing?

[@AdamFreediver]

Nauticam :)

[@Arda5858.]

i am 14 andi can hold my breath for 2:50mins and at the age of 7 i was able to dive 13 feet i want to make money of it:)

[@austyncollins9400]

Adam your videos have inspired me to spend the money dedicate my time to get in the water, not competitively but simply just to put on a mask and fins & adventure! I am truly greatful for your content. Started off with snorkel fins would love to have some real freediving fins :( then i could be just like you, my IDOL!

[@AngusMurray]

Thankyou For your influence

[@AdamFreediver]

hahaha happy to influence haha

[@solitude8769]

What is the requirements.. For becoming an internship??...

[@FreediveRN]

leo kris i did one. normally, you have to send a cv with a motivational letter. the only requirements are probably solid english knowledge and having some experience in the water (being a water person in general).

[@AdamFreediver]

Exactly what Freedive RN said :)

[@TheSaltSirens]

Love it Adam, and more votes for Erin joining the 'influencer' scene. Congrats on the little one

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Chantae! Erin influences me haha so I'm all for her joining the party

[@michenesi]

I'm in love: 8:45 !!!!!

[@duncanhalliday3655]

Theres also commercial kina diving in nz

[@zonzeekoffie]

how you stay down unther water whitout lead, i go always up,,

[@reyzell]

can you make a video of how you travel with your fins. it seems so difficult traveling with them

[@janfrederiksen1539]

Great video and interesting subject Adam. In order to be a good or atractive instructor is there sort of a requirement of depth you can do or to the static breathhold?

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Jan :) Not really. Most great instructors are known for being great instructors. Sometimes depths and big statics can help with advertising but word of mouth for a great course is always best! :)

[@janfrederiksen1539]

@@AdamFreediver Thanks for your quick reply Adam. I was hoping for an answer like that :-) Keep up the amazing work buddy!

[@Beautiful_Sound_1995]

I'd love to but it seems like it'd be too hard for me. I do LOVE the water though.

[@sailingddcircumnavigation5931]

Way too long between videos Adam way too long man

[@cariinaa1423]

Thanks for the information Adam!!

[@AdamFreediver]

So so welcome :)

[@agostinocoppola4619]

Thanks for the video! Any tips about combining teaching and training? I found it so hard that I quit teaching! Haha

[@AdamFreediver]

Hahaha yeah! It is hard! Best advice would be to have teaching months and training months. Break it up rather than trying to train and teach at the same time

[@agostinocoppola4619]

@@AdamFreediver yeah, that's what I thought . Thank you so much for your advices! Might see you in Sydney at some point!

[@ignaciob5203]

@@AdamFreediver I haven't even started freediving and I'm watching this video .

[@javokful]

Yes yes yes :) thks much 😀

[@AdamFreediver]

Very welcome! :)

[@Kstarphish]

My dream is to be a safety diver for a dive company!

[@delmanHD]

Do you recommend any training academy for starters in middle east? By the way I am from Iraq.

[@salehabdelhadi2812]

In the Middle East it's still not very popular, but there are some groups that teaches freediving, I know of one in Dahab, Egypt, alot of people go there to learn how to freedive, if you watch this channel tho you'll have a kinda good knowledge to start but you'll need some help still to advance

[@AdamFreediver]

I'm not too sure about Iraq but if you're able to travel there are many places to train in Egypt on the red sea :)

[@delmanHD]

@@AdamFreediver thank you very much for the response, as my knowledge in freediving is not much could you help me by recommending a training center in Dahab?

[@scubaninja0]

I have just jump into it, so see how it goes!

[@AdamFreediver]

Leap of faith! :)

[@FreediveRN]

Love your videos Adam! Always make me smile! 😃

[@AdamFreediver]

So do your comments :) Thank you!

[@mint.yanyan]

Hi Adam, love your vids!

[@AbhishekSharma-pw3ep]

Thanks Adam, love what you do

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you! :) I really appreciate that

[@zazugee]

time to dive into gram with a weight belt

[@dave72f]

Hey Adam, there are no images of the linked suggestion videos at the end of this clip.

[@MiniFun92]

What u think about wim hof method?

[@kevinbmnt6261]

Whats making a living tho? I mean Im sure it’s a great way of life and Ive been thinking about it for quite some time now but how much do you really earn teaching? + there is the visa issue..? Im not a party pooper I just have heaps of questions in mind :) Thanks for your videos anyway always cool to watch them!

[@kevinbmnt6261]

Ps: wouldnt mind coming back to sydney if you can get me a sponsorship!! Bahahah!

[@Hannah_HLH]

I love all your videos 👌👌

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you!!! I'm stoked :)

[@umarkhan-ru9dz]

NEXT ...HOW TO FLY IN THE SKY

[@isaacsimmy]

Are internships at freediving centres/shops usually paid?

[@AdamFreediver]

It depends on the shop :) sometimes they are and sometimes they arent :)

[@rudydalessandro1094]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@fadiazrai5664]

Almost first😆

[@AdamFreediver]

so close!

[@BerndThell]

So this means Rogoznica!

[@AdamFreediver]

Oh it's on! We are making the flyer for it today :)

[@BerndThell]

@@AdamFreediver 🥰😀👆

[@FishingCentralQLD]

congrats on 90k

[@khoolongjiebenson36]

I love Brinkley 🤭

[@AdamFreediver]

She's a cool cucumber

[@audreyplissonneau5071]

you are so cool Adam! :D

[@jackofnotrades8447]

Nearly first

[@AdamFreediver]

you were close :)

[@brandonbirchak]

Get it buddy.

[@AdamFreediver]

:)

[@gusmank]

Adam, every time I dive to make contents (photo or videos) i always ended throw-up... 😅 Any tips how to reduce sea sickness during the dive? Precaution, Medicine, etc

[@southerncrossphones]

I hope Adam doesn't mind my answering before he does, but in my experience, the only way to deal with seasickness is all mental. I'll leave it to Adam to address medications, but my suspicions are that they can do damage to your sinuses when freediving. Seasickness is caused by your inner ear (balance) system, which recognizes that your body is in motion. It disagrees with your eyes that don't perceive motion when they stay focused on something that is moving with you (like the boat itself.) The fight happens in the stomach, which eventually get peeved off and say something like "all right... EVERYBODY OUT!" So my advice is always to stay on deck where you can see outside the boat. Never go below, because your eyes will never be able to adjust to the motion. Conventional wisdom says that you should stare at the horizon, but I don't think that goes far enough. Instead, pay attention to your surroundings. Other boats, buoys, islands, clouds... anything that isn't moving. Think of the motion like you would a roller coaster or some other kind of fast-moving ride. It's all in your attitude. If you fight the motion, you will get sick. If you embrace it, you might get a little queasy, but most people will do fine. Sucking on a little candied ginger is supposed to help settle the stomach (something I hope Erin learned when she was pregnant.) That is something that I've seen to help prevent nausea. Having said all that, there are some people for whom there is no help at all, no medications, no practices, no remedies except for time. Sometimes, you just have to fight through it. But in my experience, that is actually somewhat rare. As a disclaimer, I've sailed on sailing ships in 15-foot swells and had never been more than a little queasy. After many hundreds of days at sea, I have never been fully seasick, but I attribute that to the fact I love the motion. I've never felt the need to fight it. I've always followed the practices that I mention here, naturally. Hope this helps. Forgive me if I'm overstepping, Adam.

[@thesailingsiren]

Hey, scopolamine patches or metoclopramide (Reglan) can help. They shouldn't mess with your equalization but may make you drowsy. Try it for the first time and have a dive buddy keep a close eye on you. If you want to go more natural, ginger root or sea sickness bands have shown mixed efficacy. When you are on a boat, keep your eyes on the waterline. If you're on a dive boat for an extended period of time, the body should get used to the motion within a few days to a week in most people. Hope this helps! This is coming from freediving, scuba diving, and sailing experience as well as a medical background. :) Hope this helps!

[@joshbustrillos8925]

I needed this

[@AdamFreediver]

Stoked!

[@myotiswii]

I have had a job as a safety freediver for cliffdivers. We always had 2 freedivers in the water, and were at the surface most of the time. Everyday there would be a few bad crashes (nothing deadly) and the jumping person was disoriented, so we made sure they got out. We were basically lifeguards in the water with fins. I also traveled with a group for a while and I went diving at spots to see if it was save to dive there. (got paid) Because it is faster than getting all the scuba equipment set up whem you do it at 20 spots a day. And in one holidays I performed in an underwatershow at an aquarium. They mostly only had people dive without glasses (which I hate) but I an really good at doing like underwater acrobatics, so fast turns and stuff, and they liked that, so they let me do that.

[@adambennettkuvarji8293]

That video was amazing!!!

[@jameskykim217]

Amazing!

[@bbc3836]

Love you guyssssss, I love Bali too ❤

[@1kingkongkory]

Adam! I love this video, its inspiring. I'm a boxing coach and PT... I've dived to 26m and spearfished regularly over 20m but I've never done a course. From this video I'm really thinking of taking the leap! Thanks for the motivation, my passion is being underwater

[@DontStopBrent]

Like video!

[@blakechase8613]

😊

[@AdamFreediver]

:)

[@garylu4577]

Can the PADI free diving instructor meet the job?

[@nealtyagi8074]

Gary Lu PADI instructor cert is a joke

[@garylu4577]

@@nealtyagi8074 how come? i'm new at free diving, want to know more

[@nealtyagi8074]

@@garylu4577 too easy, no physiology break downs

[@StephenAlexanderVideos]

Gary Lu I suggest AIDA

[@johnclarenceagad3852]

First!!

[@AdamFreediver]

ah yeah!

[@johnclarenceagad3852]

@@AdamFreediver Come back to bohol and cebu😊😊

[@abodfreediver7818]

Adam how can i avoid Otitis when i'm diving :) ?