This past weekend, keen ocean lovers joined Tyla for an Intro to Freediving Workshop in Wellington, focused on building strong foundations for safe, confident diving. The day began with freediving theory and what happens to your body when diving, gear familiarisation, where participants learned about freediving equipment, breath-hold techniques, correct weighting, and the importance of diving safely with a buddy. Each diver also received a goodie bag to kick off the day, along with some epic spot prizes and exclusive gear specials for attendees.
After the theory session, the group headed into the water to put their new knowledge into practice. One diver started the session feeling a little nervous, staying close to the float and keeping to the shallows. The group began by practicing mask skills, correct weighting, and relaxation techniques in the ocean to help everyone feel comfortable in the water. From there, they moved on to learning duck dives — and it didn’t take long before that same diver was confidently duck diving down to 3.5 metres. Working in buddy teams allowed everyone to support each other, build confidence, and practice safe diving habits while exploring Wellington’s underwater environment.
A key part of the workshop focused on sustainable kaimoana collecting and understanding our role as ocean users. Divers learned about recognising kina barrens, how targeted harvesting of kina can support reef health, and which species are appropriate to gather. The group also discussed the importance of respecting marine reserves, taking only what you need rather than your legal limit, and focusing on harvesting species that are currently abundant. These conversations helped build awareness that gathering kai is not just about the catch, but about caring for the ecosystems that provides it.
The day wrapped up with a well-earned BBQ and plenty of laughs, giving everyone the chance to share their experiences and celebrate the progress they had made in the water. It was an awesome reminder that freediving is about more than just learning to dive — it’s about building confidence, connecting with the ocean, and being part of a community that values safety, sustainability, and respect for the moana.
Join our instructor Tyla for a freediving day tailored to meet your needs, with dive theory, a skills session and fun dives!
Next Session: Women’s Only Beginners Freedive Day
Saturday 14th March from 8:30am