My Experience with Drifters Freediving Melbourne: Training Standards and Safety Concerns
This post represents my personal experiences and perspective. I'm sharing this to help others make informed decisions and to contribute to discussions about training standards in our sport. These are my observations from my journey in freediving, and others may have had different experiences.
My Melbourne Freediving Journey
I began freediving in late 2018 and quickly fell in love with the sport. The initial experience at places like Kilsby Sinkhole was transformative, and I was eager to improve my skills and contribute to the Melbourne freediving community. Over the years, I completed approximately four freediving courses and trained regularly, hoping to advance my abilities and eventually achieve my AIDA 4 certification.
As someone passionate about the sport, I also volunteered extensively within the freediving community, including serving as treasurer for a major club and contributing technical skills to help maintain websites and systems. I believed in the community aspect of freediving and wanted to give back to the sport that had given me so much.
Drifters Freediving Melbourne: Training Experiences That Raised Concerns
Drifters Freediving Course Delivery vs. Expectations
In my experience taking multiple courses with Drifters Freediving in Melbourne, I noticed significant gaps between what was promised and what was delivered. Despite completing four courses with Drifters Freediving over several years, I felt my skills had plateaued without meaningful improvement. This led me to question whether the instruction methods were effective for my learning style.
Most concerning was my experience during a spearfishing liveaboard that was also supposed to include my AIDA 4 certification requirements. Several issues became apparent:
Missing Essential Components: The AIDA 4 certification requires both pool and depth training sessions. In my experience, neither the pool session nor the depth training was provided during the liveaboard, despite this being a key reason for my participation.
Instructor Qualifications: I observed that the spearfishing instruction included individuals who, from my understanding, were not qualified spearfishing instructors. This raised questions about the quality and safety of the instruction being provided.
Safety Concerns with Drifters Freediving
During the spearfishing portion of the trip, I experienced what I considered to be inadequate safety instruction. When learning to dispatch my first fish, the way I was initially instructed to hold the fish would have resulted in serious injury to my fingers if I had followed the guidance exactly as given. Only when I questioned the technique was the instruction corrected.
This incident highlighted my concerns about the thoroughness of safety protocols and the attention being paid to proper instruction techniques.
Training Environment Issues
Throughout the courses and particularly during the liveaboard experience, I observed what I felt was an unprofessional training environment. In my experience:
There appeared to be minimal effort from instructors to provide proper coaching or skill development
The training sessions felt disorganized and lacked structure
I felt that some instructors were dismissive of questions and concerns
The overall atmosphere did not feel conducive to learning or personal growth
Personal Impact and Vulnerable Situations
What made these experiences particularly difficult was that I had previously confided in one of the instructors about personal challenges I was facing. I had shared my struggles and how I was managing and conquering them. I had viewed this person as a mentor and trusted them with sensitive information.
During the liveaboard experience, I felt that this vulnerability was taken advantage of by someone in a teaching role. The environment became increasingly hostile, and I experienced what I perceived as targeted harassment.
There were incidents that I interpreted as body shaming and culturally insensitive comments that made me feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. These experiences were particularly jarring given the trust I had placed in the instructional team.
The Melbourne Freediving Community Connection
It's worth noting the interconnected nature of Melbourne's freediving scene. Several Drifters Freediving instructors are members of, or have connections to, Melbourne Freedivers Club (MFC). This overlap between commercial providers and the community club is common in Melbourne's relatively small freediving community.
This connection made addressing my concerns more complicated, as the lines between commercial instruction and community volunteering were often blurred. When I attempted to raise issues through appropriate channels, I found that these overlapping relationships sometimes made it difficult to get concerns taken seriously.
For those considering training in Melbourne, I recommend being aware of these dynamics and seeking independent perspectives when evaluating providers. The Melbourne freediving guide on this site provides a broader overview of available options.
Lessons Learned: Red Flags to Watch For
Based on my experiences with Drifters Freediving in Melbourne, I would encourage others to be aware of potential warning signs when choosing freediving instruction:
Training Quality Indicators
Incomplete Course Delivery: Ensure all promised components are actually provided
Instructor Qualifications: Verify that instructors are properly certified for what they're teaching
Safety Protocols: Watch for thorough, detailed safety instruction rather than rushed or casual approaches
Skill Development: Look for instructors who provide constructive feedback and genuine coaching
Professional Environment Standards
Respectful Communication: Instructors should maintain professional boundaries and respectful dialogue
Inclusive Atmosphere: Training should be welcoming to people of all backgrounds and experience levels
Appropriate Response to Concerns: Questions and safety concerns should be addressed seriously, not dismissed
Personal Boundaries
Confidentiality: Personal information shared with instructors should be treated with appropriate discretion
Supportive Environment: Instructors should create environments where students feel safe to learn and make mistakes
Professional Relationships: There should be clear boundaries between instructor-student relationships and personal interactions
The Importance of Proper Oversight
My experience highlighted the critical importance of proper oversight and accountability in freediving instruction. When concerns arise, there should be clear channels for addressing them and mechanisms to ensure that training standards are maintained.
I attempted to address my concerns through appropriate channels, but found the complaint processes to be inadequate and, in some cases, dismissive of legitimate safety and professional conduct issues.
Moving Forward: Hope for Melbourne Freediving
Despite these challenging experiences with Drifters Freediving, I remain passionate about freediving and believe in the positive potential of Melbourne's freediving community. I hope that by sharing my Drifters Freediving review and experiences, I can contribute to discussions about maintaining high standards in freediving instruction and creating environments where all participants feel safe and supported.
The freediving community has tremendous potential to be inclusive, supportive, and focused on genuine skill development and safety. My hope is that instructors and organizations will take seriously their responsibilities to maintain professional standards and create positive learning environments.
For Those Considering Freediving Training in Melbourne
If you're considering freediving courses in Melbourne, I encourage you to:
Research instructor qualifications thoroughly
Ask specific questions about course content and what will be delivered
Trust your instincts if something feels unprofessional or unsafe
Don't hesitate to speak up if you have concerns
Consider seeking multiple opinions if you're not progressing as expected
Read the Complete Guide to Freediving in Melbourne for provider comparisons
Freediving is a wonderful sport that can be transformative when taught properly and safely. Everyone deserves access to quality instruction in an environment that supports their growth and wellbeing.
This account represents my personal experiences and perspective. I encourage others to share their experiences as well, as open dialogue is essential for maintaining and improving standards in our sport. If you have had concerning experiences in freediving training, consider documenting them and reporting through appropriate channels.