I am so happy I got to take and participate in the Apnea Flow Class with Ani! She is such a great teacher and made me feel very safe and comfortable.
USA
Freediving School
Aqua Native
Salt Lake City, USA
One of the few inland US freediving schools delivering the full PADI ladder from Basic Freediver to Freedive Instructor under one roof, with year-round access to both indoor pool and warm-water open water training.
Overview
About Aqua Native
Aqua Native is a Salt Lake City freediving school offering PADI freediving certifications from beginner through instructor level. Founded by PADI Freedive Instructor Trainer Ani, who has been teaching professionally since 2003, the school serves freedivers across Utah and the Intermountain West.
Small-group PADI freediving instruction built around structured eLearning, pool-based confined water skills, and open water progression at regional Utah sites.
Whether you are looking to discover apnea for the first time or earn a recognised freediving certification in Salt Lake City, Aqua Native provides a structured path. The school accepts both first-time freedivers and experienced divers pursuing deeper progression. Instruction is available in English.
The people behind it
Meet the Founder
Ideal for
Who should learn freediving at Aqua Native
Beginners
The Basic Freediver course is pool-only and requires no prior experience, making it an accessible entry point.
Advanced
Advanced Freediver and PADI Master Freediver depth targets (20 m and 32 m+) are met during scheduled open water trips through the warmer months.
Training focus
Aqua Native is taught under PADI Freedive Instructor Trainer Ani, who is also an SSI Freedive Instructor.
Why this school
What makes Aqua Native stand out
Coaching approach
Small-group PADI freediving instruction built around structured eLearning, pool-based confined water skills, and open water progression at regional Utah sites.
Class format
Classes are kept to a small-group format to ensure more personal attention and actual dive time. Equipment rental is available on-site for those traveling light.
Course progression
Students can follow a complete path here, from their first freediving course all the way up to instructor certification.
Courses & Pricing
Aqua Native freediving courses and prices in Salt Lake City
Aqua Native lists 5 course options, priced from USD 399 up to USD 2500.
This represents a visible ladder from first course to more committed progression tailored for intermediate and advanced progression, all delivered under PADI frameworks.
★
Most popular
Basic Freediver
2 days
From
$399 USD
Freediver
3 days
From
$500 USD
Advanced Freediver
3 days
From
$650 USD
PADI Master Freediver
3-4 days
From
$850 USD
PADI Freedive Instructor (Bronze)
4+ days
From
$2,500 USD
+4 more
1 / 9
Training environment
Training sites and conditions in Salt Lake City
Confined water training runs in the 13 ft (4 m) indoor heated pool at Dive Utah in Holladay, with additional pool sessions available at The Scuba Dive in Riverton. Open water training is scheduled at regional Utah venues: Blue Lake thermal springs for year-round open water up to 20 m, and Bear Lake, Sand Hollow Reservoir, and Mountain Point Lake for seasonal sessions at depths from 12 to 40 m. Site selection is matched to each course's depth targets and seasonal access.
Salt Lake City gives the school mostly shore-based access to the training site with up to 40m depth available in the broader destination profile.
At a glance
Facilities, languages & certifications
Certifications
Languages
🇬🇧 English
Facilities
Equipment rental, Indoor pool (Dive Utah)
What you get
What is included in courses
Courses at Aqua Native include eLearning access, pool sessions, equipment rental, indoor pool (dive utah), and theory sessions. Equipment rental may be available separately.
Certification fees, transport to training sites, and other costs may be included or separate depending on the course. Course bookings are arranged directly with the school by email or phone. Some open water venues may charge separate site-access or day-use fees in addition to course tuition.
Dive conditions
Learn to freedive in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City offers controlled pool sessions and beginner-friendly coaching with mostly shore-based access to the training site and sets the water profile for Aqua Native.
Aqua Native is based in Salt Lake City.
Surface water temperature ranges from 10 to 28 °C year-round, with conditions generally workable year-round.
Pool sessions and Blue Lake thermal spring training run year-round. Trips to other regional lakes and reservoirs are scheduled through the warmer months.
Destination
Discover the destination
Learn more about where Aqua Native is based — conditions, best season, depth, and more.
Alternatives
Compare Aqua Native with other schools in Salt Lake City
Other freediving schools in Salt Lake City with listed courses, certifications, and pricing.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions about Aqua Native
Everything you need to know about freediving, training, and choosing the right destination.
01 What certifications does Aqua Native offer?
Aqua Native offers PADI certification courses. This certification is recognized internationally.
02 How much do courses at Aqua Native cost?
Prices at Aqua Native start from USD 399 for entry-level courses and go up to USD 2500 for advanced levels. Course duration ranges from 2 days to 4+ days.
03 Who is Aqua Native best for?
The Basic Freediver course is pool-only and requires no prior experience, making it an accessible entry point. A 200m swim test is required. The school also works well for beginners and students pursuing PADI freediving certification.
04 Where does Aqua Native train?
Aqua Native trains in Salt Lake City, which offers controlled pool sessions and beginner-friendly coaching with mostly shore-based access to the training site. The main training sites are Dive Utah,Holladay, UT (indoor heated pool, 13 ft), The Scuba Div (Riverton, pool), Mountain Point Lake (Bluffdale), Blue Lake thermal springs, Bear Lake, Sand Hollow Reservoir Additional reservoirs across the Salt Lake valley .
05 How do I contact or book with Aqua Native?
Course bookings are arranged directly with the school by email or phone. Some open water venues may charge separate site-access or day-use fees in addition to course tuition.
06 Is Salt Lake City a good place to learn freediving?
Salt Lake City is well-suited to beginners and those looking to earn a freediving certification. The destination offers controlled pool sessions and beginner-friendly coaching with mostly shore-based access to the training site, making it a practical base for structured apnea training. Pool sessions and Blue Lake thermal spring training run year-round. Trips to other regional lakes and reservoirs are scheduled through the warmer months.
Recent Google reviews
What recent students say about Aqua Native
★5.0(26 reviews)
Taking underwater with air was such an incredible experience. The instructor Ani is everything you could want and hope for with this course. The book is easy to navigate and course content is well laid out with everything included and taken care of. Well prepared for the first class Ani walked us through the magic behind the scenes and showed us the different aspects to not only do this skill set safely, but anywhere! Each class we were given one on one time with Ani to execute our skills with flare! Leading up to the end of the course we were prepped to do an exhibition that included a underwater speaker for music, an underwater photographer and videographer! Wrapping up the course with an event I could share with family and friends who attended or could be shown the resulting photos or videos, I walked away with more than just a piece of paper. I finished out this course with a new way to love what I do underwater. I couldn’t recommend this course more if you’re someone who enjoys expressing yourself in a free flow state underwater!
Ani is a great instructor who is patient, accommodating, knowledgeable, and professional. Highly recommend--her commitment to safety standards while centering your learning experience are top notch.