Static Apnea Course in Malta and Gozo

A day to learn how to hold your breath longer in a controlled manner

Improve your breath-hold performance

Freediver in the pool with noseclips and googles on ready to start a static apnea course in Malta

Duration: 1 day
Sessions: 1 academic + 1 confined water
Breath-holds: +3 min
Level: Certified Freedivers
Location: Malta & Gozo

130 €

INCLUDES:

Freediving Equipment
Transportation to/from dive site
Pictures
Water & Snacks
Diploma

Group of freedivers in a pool in Gozo celebrating the end of their static apnea course water session

Learn to hold your breath for over 3 minutes through relaxation, mental control, and unique advanced breathing techniques.

Our Static Apnea Course in Malta and Gozo is a specialized 1-day freediving course designed for certified freedivers who want to improve their breath-hold abilities and develop stronger mind/body control.

Static apnea is a pure breath-hold discipline, where relaxation and mental control become key to performance. Through a theory session and confined water training, you will learn our unique breathing, relaxation, and preparation techniques to safely extend your breath holds beyond 3 minutes.

This course will help you better understand your body’s physiological responses to apnea, improve your comfort during contractions, strengthen your mental resilience, and develop greater relaxation underwater.

Held in Malta and Gozo, the Static Apnea Course can be a powerful standalone training or the first day of the Apnea Total Advanced Freediver Course.

Book your Static Course HERE

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Freediver preparing his next static session in pure relaxation in Gozo

WHO IS THE STATIC APNEA FOR?

The Static Apnea course is designed for students ready to challenge their minds whether they are beginner or experienced freedivers and spearfishers aiming to extend their breath hold, prepare mentally for deep dives or develop relaxation skills, or scuba divers seeking to reduce their gas consumption.

You have to be certified as an Apnea Total Freediver (a similar certification level from other freediving organizations is also accepted) in order to join this course.

WHAT WILL YOU ACHIEVE DURING A STATIC?

Thanks to relaxation and breathing techniques unique to Apnea Total, we will introduce you safely to your real potential, you will have a better understanding of your mind and body and will be surprised how easy it is to hold your breath for more than 3 minutes.

The Apnea Static is a fantastic training tool that will benefit your overall freediving experience. By improving your breath hold abilities, you can freedive longer, potentially deeper, in a more relaxed and confident manner.

freedivers in the pool after finishing a static apnea course in Malta

STA COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Static course only takes a day and is divided into a theory session and a confined water session.

During this course, you will learn everything there is to know about this pool discipline: how to get ready, how to position yourself, how to act, how to relax your body and more importantly your mind; you will practice several exercises to get used to new sensations including physiological responses to Static Apnea such as contractions. You will learn the unique breathing and relaxing techniques developed by Apnea Total, the mindfulness to achieve complete relaxation, and rescue skills in case of hypoxic events and we will teach you how to train so you can continue your freediving training.

You will discover what happens to your body when you hold your breath; and how your own body, automatically and naturally, helps you consume less oxygen. Your breath-hold skills will be tested to their limits and you will realize that doing a maximum performance in this discipline is mainly a mental effort.

Our Static course is the first day of the Apnea Total Advanced Freediver Course so at the end of the course you have the option to keep on training to become a certified Advanced Freediver in just 2 more days.

Static Apnea Course Structure

Group of freedivers posing close to freediving buoys after a static apnea course in Gozo

Classroom

Diving Reflex
Description of the discipline and its benefits
Preparation for static apnoea
Apnea Total breathing techniques
Respiratory exercises
Mind relaxation techniques
Body awareness
Training routines to improve your free diving skills

Water Session

Proper position of the body
Relaxation methods
Demonstration of how to perform a Static
Warm-up for maximum breath-holds
Maximum breath hold attempts
Breath-holds of 3 minutes minimum
Practice of safety procedures

Do you have any questions? Get in Touch !

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What our students say about their experience!

See all our reviews

    
 
 
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   Paul Devenny 
 28 October 2026
 
 
  Had a wonderful cave exploration session with Arturo. Unbelievably beautiful experience made possible with excellent guidance, equipment and knowledge.
Had a free immersion session in the afternoon also where each dive was a PB..
Comfortable, relaxed and breaking new territory. Expert awareness and understanding.. every small detail of each dive observed and knowing how to guide and inform, to progress. Thank you Arturo 👍
  
 
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   Gabor Kokai 
 27 October 2026
 
 
  Very friendly and professional team! I spent an unforgettable time with them :-) They reacted quickly to all my needs.
We did 4 expedition dives with Reggie, including cave and wreck dives. She is very calm, helpful, and always smiling :-)
Before the very first dive, she fixed my equalization difficulties in 2 minutes—I didn't think that was possible!
I felt completely comfortable and safe with her, even in the caves and inside the shipwrecks. She pushed my limits noticeably yet gently.
I would definitely like to return for an advanced course!
  
 
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   Adrian Wangerin 
 27 October 2026
 
 
  I had a wonderful time with Regina: she's incredibly empathetic, has a great understanding of the psychological side of freediving, and at the same time works meticulously on refining and optimizing your technique. I felt completely at ease with her, she's a wonderful person with great energy, and I'd come back anytime. Highly recommended!
  
 
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   Adrian Wangerin 
 27 October 2026
 
 
  I had amazing days in the water with Arturo: he's a true expert and an excellent teacher who values safety just as much as exploration and adventure. On top of that, he's super friendly, always there to help with any problem, and goes to great lengths to make sure his clients have a really good time. Highly recommended!
  
 
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   Antonio Floris 
 26 October 2026
 
 
  I completed my freediving course here, and it was an amazing experience!

The facilities are excellent, and the instructors are highly skilled and professional.
Reggie was fantastic at helping me understand and feel what was happening in my body throughout the training.

I highly recommend Apnea Total Malta to anyone interested in freediving!
  
 
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   Kate Eynon 
 24 October 2026
 
 
  Apnea total freediving in Gozo was incredible. I booked my two teenage children (18 and 15) in with Arturo and he was amazing with them. They learnt so much from his expert tuition and really appreciated his humour. His English was perfecto! They both flourished with his guidance and completed their freediver course. He also sent us amazing footage of them freediving - memories to cherish forever. I 100% recommend Apnea for a freediving certification and experience.
  
 
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   Carlos Rey 
 21 October 2026
 
 
  I’m scuba diver and I wanted to try apnea to learn new things.
I chose Gozo island in Malta to do the level 1 freediving course with Apnea Total Malta and the experience was amazing.

The instructor Arturo was fantastic, professional, patient and encouraging, making me feel confortable and confident throughout the training.
I got certified in two days with no problem.

Reaching 20 metres deep with no gear, just fins and mask, was an unforgettable experience.
The crystal-clear, beautiful blue waters and perfect water temperature made the experience even more enjoyable.

I’ll definitely keep practicing, that’s for sure!

I totally recommend it!

THANKS !!!
  
 
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   Ida Cicola 
 20 October 2026
 
 
  This was my second time doing multiple dives with Apnea Total Malta. So happy with the experience, with the instructor, the set up and the teaching. Super nice fun dives around a reef and diving in caves. Would love to come back again!
  
 
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   Moutaz Altrabulsi 
 12 October 2026
 
 
  Spearfishing 🎣

I did my first-ever spearfishing safari with Arturo, an instructor at Apnea Total Malta, and it was hands down one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!

Everything was extremely well organized, with every step explained clearly and professionally. The session was not only exciting but also very informative. Arturo took the time to identify my weaknesses and give me valuable advice to improve my skills, while making sure I enjoyed every moment of the experience.

On top of being an outstanding spearfishing instructor, Arturo also captures amazing professional-quality photos and videos, giving you incredible memories to look back on! 🤿📸

Freediving 🌊

I also did two freediving sessions with Reggi, and the improvement was honestly crazy!

I used to struggle with a high heart rate on the surface, relaxing properly, and some technical issues. After just the first session, following Reggi’s advice, I was surprised to reach 30 metres and set a new PB of 32 metres! 🤯

I’ve tried several freediving schools and instructors, but one thing I’ve often missed is the fun and enjoyment. Reggi manages to combine real progress with a fantastic atmosphere and positive vibes, even when seasickness decides to join the session! 😂

It was a great mix of learning, improvement, and pure fun. I can’t wait to come back for another session!

Overall, I highly recommend Apnea Total Malta to anyone interested in spearfishing or freediving. Whether you want to improve your skills, challenge yourself, or simply enjoy an unforgettable experience in the sea, you’re in great hands.

You definitely won’t be disappointed! 🤙🏼
  
 
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   Nina Dostal 
 9 October 2026
 
 
  Ich habe bei ApneaTotal meinen Advanced Freediver Kurs gemacht und würde es auf der Stelle wieder hier tun! Meine Instruktorin Reggie war stets bemüht, dass ich mich wohl und sicher fühle. Sie war die ganze Zeit so aufmerksam und hat mir dabei so viele Tipps gegeben, wie ich gewisse Dinge verbessern kann. Außerdem war alles total flexibel und unkompliziert, gleichzeitig hab ich mir so viel von diesem Kurs mitgenommen und so schöne Tauchsessions gehabt. Ich kann ApneaTotal jedem empfehlen, der auf Malta nach einer guten Freediving Schule sucht!
  
 
 
  
 
 
   Trustindex rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 554 reviews

FAQ Static Apnea Course

How long can you hold your breath?

You might be surprised to learn you can hold your breath longer in the water than on land. The mammalian dive reflex, triggered when the face is under the water, set a series of physiological adjustments in the body. Among them the heart rate that slows down to conserve energy and oxygen.

Breath holding sounds simple but Static Apnea is one of the most technical disciplines in breath hold diving. Useless to say competitors in static apnoea have developed specific breathing training techniques, including breathing exercises, stretching and meditative methods to control the CO2 and O2 levels in their blood as well as to expand their lungs volume.

World records for Static Apnea:

Stephane Mifsud, 11:35min in 2009
Heike Schwerdtner 9:07min in 2024

Does Static Training improves freediving?

Do I need equipment for your Static Apnea Course?

Prerequisites for the STATIC

Tell me more about the STATIC: When and how long?

The Static Apnea course can be done independently or as part of our Advanced Freediver Course. In order to continue your freediving education and be certified as an Advanced Freediver, 2 more days are needed upon completion of the Static.

The Static is composed of a classroom session and a confined water session (in a swimming pool) that take place the same day. Our schedule is determined by the bookings we receive so we run the Static Course whenever a freediver is interested (depending on availability).

We include transportation, the freediving gear needed for the in-water practice, water to stay hydrated, snacks as well as pictures of the pool training.

How can I book a Static Apnea Course?

Up to you: you can reach us by e-mail, WhatsApp, Messenger or phone. You can also fill out the form below. Once we agree on dates, a non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking.