I’ll do this @lucas_handley style: I lived as an undocumented person most of my life, therefore, I did not have a proper childhood. Currently, I am creating my own childhood memories and catching up on things I should have done in my youth. One of them is #spearfishing. Another is completing my education. @lucas_handley at @theunderwateracademy gave me a perfect day to be a kid again. I will never forget their introduction to spearfishing course. In the water, despite being younger than me, Lucas was like a loving dad teaching his kid how to hunt—a dad that I have never had. Further, he is very knowledgable in sustainability and marine science, and intent on creating a kinder spearfishing community. He remembered that I wanted a ‘catch’ to take home, and we picked a sea urchin on our way back. There were few minor waves crashing into the rocks on our way back. This would have scared me before. Instead, I went into the waves with the sea urchin in my hands, determined to not let it go. I copped some few waves and was sent straight to the slippery rocks. By that time, my fear was gone and I immediately wanted the waves to push me back onto the rocks again. Being pushed by waves was FUN!!! It took me this long to figure that out! Unfortunately, it was time to get out. I grasped my sea urchin the best I can and made my way back. Those who know me from the past know that I will be practicing diligently to master the skills needed for the sport. This might not be immediately apparent to Lucas who KNOWS I did not even TRY to hold my breathe as long as I can. This was because I did not want to associate diving and spearfishing with me uncomfortably holding my breathe. Having said this, I was able to hold my breathe long enough to dive 5-7m, crawl through sea weed or tuck myself between rocks, listen to Lucas make a fish ‘call’, look around, and take a shot at a fish decoy.… FUN! I hope he knows that, in the end, I will grow some gills and get it done. I am VERY grateful to be introduced to #freediving and spearfishing by Lucas

We recently had the amazing opportunity to join the AIDA 2 course with Lucas Handley. Our group consisted of inexperienced individuals that were keen to learn about the world of freediving. Over the 2.5 day course, we became immersed in this amazing sport (including learning about the dangers of trying to freedive without training!). Along the way, each of us also encountered individual challenges and hurdles that we had to learn to overcome. Throughout the course, Lucas guided us through these challenges by showing his vast knowledge, experience and boundless patience ... all the while keeping things light-hearted and fun! We would wholeheartedly recommend this course for anyone interested in taking the 'plunge' into world of freediving!

I recently attended an AIDA2 course with The Underwater Academy and absolutely loved it. The course was comprehensive and a whole lot of fun. Alan and Matt are fantastic instructors; they took the time to work with all of us and especially to help me through some techniques that I found challenging. If you are interested in freediving and in / visiting Sydney, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Amazing freediving weekend doing the AIDA 2 certification!! Alan and Matt are great instructors! Very knowledgeable, they make you feel safe all the time and give you valuable tips to overcome your personal challenges. I highly recommend The Underwater Academy. I’ll definitely be back to do the AIDA 3 certification!

An amazing course! Looking forward to do AIDA 3 with UnderWater Academy! Alan and Arty are amazing instructors! Special big up to Alan for making this course awesome!

Did the AIDA 2 course. I would very highly recommend doing the course with Lucas or Allan (I had both at different times). They both had great tips for each of us to overcome all of our own individual challenges. They also have a great manner about them which makes them excellent teachers. It was an amazing experience . I learned a lot of about free diving and the breath of course but also about myself. The mental challenge of overcoming the mind's instincts was incredibly interesting and something I'll take into my life outside the water also. Intense in a really good way. Thanks guys!!

AIDA 2 course with Alan—Honestly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Prior to this course, I was barely able to snorkel—as soon as my face was in the water I would feel immense panic and really struggle to breath. This resulted in unenjoyable, short and exhausting snorkelling experiences. The course takes you through each skill separately and step by step, then eventually brings them together. This meant that each step felt achievable while also being able to push yourself as much as you like. You learn enough theory to help to understand what’s happening in practice and to know that you’re safe. Our instructor, Alan, was incredibly patient, positive, flexible, clear and concise throughout the course in both theory and in the water. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor to help me face my fears. In the end, I completed a 2 minute breath hold, 45m dynamic swim, 14.5m deep dive and a mock rescue from 6m. So glad that I did this, I’d highly recommend it to anyone, hence this review.

Lucas is a great instructor and was really great at assisting personal hurdles encountered throughout the course. I had trouble equalising and after some extra mentoring was able to equalise effectively on Day 3 which meant I was able to dive to 16m-17m! He made the experience comfortable, personal and engaging and helped overcome the fear associated with depth and the urge to breathe. Would recommend to anyone looking to try something new and push themselves while having fun. Great course.

I done the AIDA level 2 free diving course in Sydney with Lucas and Al and can’t recommend them highly enough! They were both incredibly knowledgeable, personable and insightful with the theory and science behind freediving and breath holds, and when it came to the practical components they were unbelievably acute in their eye for detail. With their guidance I comfortably doubled my deepest dive, and the only thing that stopped me going further was the bottom! Thanks for an unreal course guys, love your work!!!

Amazing experience. Freediving is about so much more than diving as deep as you can. Over the 3 days you learn about physical relaxation, mental relaxation, proper dive technique and the physiology behind diving. Lucas and Allan were great instructors - they explained everything clearly, showed great patience (even when you didn't get things right) and were very encouraging. They created a very relaxed and positive environment where everyone's achievements were celebrated no matter how big or small. If you're a rookie diver and want to push yourself out of your comfort zone with world-class support, or you live for being underwater and just want to perfect your technique, I can't recommend the AIDA courses enough

I recently took a freediving course at The Underwater Academy and I cannot recommend it highly enough. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional. Alan, our instructor, was knowledgeable, patient, and an excellent teacher. Throughout the course, we learned about the important skills of breath holding, physical and mental relaxation, and safety. Alan took the time to explain everything clearly, even when I was underwater he was able to help when I felt uncomfortable. He made the learning process easy and enjoyable. The training was top-notch, and I felt completely confident in my abilities by the end of the course. Overall, I had an incredible experience and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in diving. If you're looking for a skilled instructor and a great learning experience, look no further! It truly deserves a 5-star rating!

I did the AIDA 2 course in Sydney over the weekend with The Underwater Academy and I cannot recommend them enough. Both Matt and Allan were extremely knowledgeable, supportive and really took the time to work with us to overcome our individual challenges. You could not be in better hands ! :) Was such a fun weekend and can’t wait to go out with them again in the future.