"Education beneath the surface"
Founded in 2024 on Siquijor Island, Philippines, Amuma Freediving is a dedicated education center offering high-quality, AIDA- and Molchanov-certified freediving courses.
Amuma is, above all, a school — a place where learning is the focus, and support is central. Our instructors are passionate educators as much as they are freedivers, committed to guiding others through meaningful growth — in the water and within themselves.
Freediving, for us, is not just about depth but about depth of experience. Our approach balances mindful presence with focused technique and safety. Beyond certifications, we nurture an embodied and lasting journey rooted in curiosity, trust, and the joy of learning.
Our Mission : Setting the Standard
We strive to set a standard not through scale, but through depth — offering a learning path that honors each individual and supports instructors in their continual development as educators.
We refine our methods and materials to reflect both the science of learning and the lived experience of teaching — and to share this approach with communities around the world.
Our Values
“Amuma,” a Visayan word meaning to care, nurture, and nourish, expresses the essence of how we teach and learn.
We believe that deep learning begins with care — for oneself, for others, and for the ocean. Our approach is holistic, present, and responsive to the emotional, physical, and cognitive dimensions of every freediving journey.
Since 2024, we are pusruing the idea and the will of supporting the local community by opening access to freediving education for spearfishers and marine guides — offering important safety skills and a chance to deepen their connection to the sea that sustains them.
The Neighbours in Tubod
MARINE SANCTUARY GUIDES
Marine guides are professionals who lead tourists through the island’s various marine sanctuaries.
Using freediving, they showcase the breathtaking underwater world while relying on strong safety skills to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for their clients.
FISHERMEN
Fishermen on the island use freediving to provide food for their families. They use it while spearfishing or when using fishing nets to scare the fish into them.
Our Work
Designing Accessible Freediving Education
We are dedicated to making freediving education accessible and meaningful for everyone. To support diverse learners, we offer a streamlined version of the AIDA International Federation manuals, fully adapted to better suit a variety of learning needs.
Beyond content adaptation, we are developing the Learning and Teaching Freediving Manual — a comprehensive guide that emphasizes how freediving is best learned and taught, with attention to safety, cognitive understanding, and emotional growth.
This work is rooted in our real-world teaching experiences across diverse communities, where adapting to different learning needs is essential. Our goal is to create education that empowers learners of all backgrounds to connect deeply with freediving and grow confidently on their journey.
Theory Classes and Training Sessions
Depending on the freedivers we welcome and their needs, we offer tailored instruction in a variety of beautiful locations—each providing a calm, supportive setting for focused learning.
Theory sessions
Our open wooden deck in the heart of Tubod Beach offers a welcoming space for learning, with teaching materials displayed on the school wall. It’s where we host theory classes, equalization workshops, breathwork, and debriefings.
Pool Sessions
Just a short drive uphill, South Mountain Resort offers a calm, scenic space ideal for pool training. It’s where we hold static and dynamic sessions focused on technique, relaxation, and efficiency.
Open Water Sessions
A short swim from the school, our open water site lies beside the stunning Tubod Marine Sanctuary. With easy access to depth, it’s where we run line training, skill practice, and instructor-level dives
The Future
Exporting a Model
Amuma’s vision goes beyond the island. After training local guides, we aim to share this model with other regions and countries.
Our simplified AIDA courses are available for instructors worldwide who want to be part of this movement and create a positive impact in their communities.
Interested? Contact us to learn more.