Epic Freediving

Located in the Ozhukarai Taluk of South India, near Pondicherry, Epic Freediving is dedicated to the development of breath-hold diving in a region where the sport is still emerging. The centre provides a specialised environment for those looking to progress through the PADI freediving progression.

The primary training ground is a local, deep, abandoned granite quarry. This setting offers a unique alternative to ocean training, providing a calm, predictable environment that is ideal for mastering buoyancy control and breath-hold techniques.

The centre is run by independent PADI instructors, including Jonah, who also teaches scuba diving at Eternal Divers. This connection ensures a high level of professional expertise and a deep understanding of underwater disciplines in the local area.

The team focuses on the technical and physiological aspects of freediving, guiding students from their first breath-hold through to advanced mastery. The instruction is designed to build confidence in a controlled, deep-water setting.

Epic Freediving offers a comprehensive range of PADI certifications. You can begin with the PADI Basic Freediver course, which can be taken in a pool or as a combined pool and quarry programme.

For those looking to progress, the centre provides the PADI Freediver, PADI Advanced Freediver, and PADI Master Freediver courses. Additionally, the centre offers the PADI EFR course for those wishing to gain essential emergency response skills.

For those attending training sessions, the centre provides the necessary freediving equipment. This allows you to focus entirely on your technique without worrying about the specifics of your kit.

Safety is a priority on-site, with oxygen safety equipment available for use during training sessions.

The quarry environment is characterised by a total lack of current, making it an exceptionally stable location for breath-hold training. This stillness is ideal for practising finning techniques and maintaining trim.

Between April and August, a thermocline typically forms at approximately 7 metres, where the water temperature drops by 1 to 2 degrees. Visibility in the quarry generally ranges between 2 and 4 metres, and the environment can become quite dark once you descend below 8 metres.