Your Freediving Instructor
Diego Pauel
4 Certifications. Max 3 Students. Koh Samui Since 2021.
Freediving Instructor
in Koh Samui
I started teaching freediving from Koh Samui in 2021 after training across six different programs under some of the best instructors in the world. The pattern was always the same: the courses where I learned the most had the fewest students. Real progress happened when the instructor could watch every dive, catch every mistake, and adjust coaching in real time.
That became the rule here. Maximum 3 students per course. Every student gets direct feedback on every dive. Every equalization problem gets addressed on the spot, not after the session when details are already fuzzy. If an instructor cannot watch you closely enough to correct your technique in real time, the group is too large.
No motivational speeches. No filler. Clear technique coaching, honest feedback after every dive, and a structured progression that moves at your pace. Students describe it the same way again and again: calm, focused, and safe.
"He takes time for each participant, accompanies you every second underwater, and gives constructive feedback. I went from nervous to 20 meters in 3 days."
Jonas, Germany
4 Certifications.
Not Just 1.
Most freediving instructors hold a single certification. Diego Pauel holds four across freediving, breathing science, and emergency response. That depth of training shapes every course.
Apnea Total Instructor
Primary freediving certification. Qualified to teach Level 1 through Level 3 courses under an internationally recognized system.
Oxygen Advantage Certified
Advanced breathing science by Patrick McKeown. Functional breathing assessment and CO2 tolerance training built into every course.
Breatheology Method
Created by Stig Severinsen, four-time world record holder. Breath hold training, mental focus, and relaxation techniques for the water.
Emergency First Aid + O2
Certified in emergency oxygen administration and first aid response. Emergency oxygen on every boat, every dive, every session. No exceptions.
How You Will
Be Taught
Three principles that make the difference between getting a card and actually becoming a freediver.
Max 3 Students. Always.
Not a marketing claim. A hard limit. Every student gets direct feedback on every single dive. Your equalization issues, your duck dive, your comfort level -- all tracked from Day 1. Most schools run 6 to 8 per group. That is crowd management, not coaching.
Safety is Not Optional
Emergency oxygen on every boat. First aid certified instructor within arm's reach on every depth dive. These are not extras. They are the baseline. When students describe the experience, the word that comes up most is "safe." Not all schools in Thailand operate this way.
Technique Over Motivation
After every dive you get specific, clear feedback on what worked and what to change. If your duck dive needs work, you will hear exactly how to fix it. If your equalization is off, you will understand why before your next attempt. That is how people actually get deeper.
Why Koh Samui
for Freediving
Same world-class dive sites as Koh Tao -- Sail Rock, the Gulf of Thailand's best reefs -- without the compromises. Sail Rock is a one-hour speedboat ride. Koh Tao's top sites are equally accessible. You train at the spots that draw divers from across Southeast Asia.
The difference is everything around the diving. Real infrastructure. Reliable wifi for evening theory sessions. Restaurants beyond backpacker fare. Hotels at every price point. An international airport with direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong. No 2-hour ferry each way.
Freedive in the morning. Explore the island all evening. That combination of serious training and genuine comfort is why Koh Samui is the right place to learn.
What Students Say
He takes time for each participant, accompanies you every second underwater, and gives constructive feedback. I went from nervous to 20 meters in 3 days.Jonas, Germany
Amazing what you can do in 2 days. I went from 12 meters to 20 meters and spotted a whale shark at Sail Rock.Glynnis
The patience, knowledge, passion, and kindness. He helped me overcome my fears underwater.Dominique
Train with Diego Pauel
Courses run every week from Koh Samui. Maximum 3 students. Message Diego Pauel directly on WhatsApp with your dates and he will confirm availability.
Pick your dates. Pay online. You are confirmed.