Level 1
WATERMANSHIP
PROGRAMME

Level 1 WATE​RMANSHIP PROGRAMME

The Level 1 Watermanship Programme is the gateway to our development pathway. Regardless of experience or capability we ask all students to start here, allowing us to ensure everyone begins with a strong knowledge base, can become familiar with our teaching methods and is given every opportunity to develop good habits right from the start.

The Level 1 Programme is for both beginners and experienced ocean adventurers alike and is designed to give students a solid set of core skills, knowledge and physical capabilities to safely enjoy changing ocean environments. Whether it be deep ocean drop offs, open surf beaches or rocky points, this programme provides the key foundations needed to get you into more aquatic adventures.

The Level 1 Programme uses the following phrase as a stepping-off point: Irrational fear can render a person useless and lead to dangerous situations. With knowledge and skills this irrational fear is removed.

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Course Overview

Students begin their learning for Level 1 via our dedicated Online Learning Hub, which is designed to support learning every step of the way and provide access to much of the theory behind watermanship in a self-paced environment.

Our aim in the Level 1 Programme is to give students the understanding of why we do things and how the body reacts to certain situations.

This is followed by fun, challenging and realistic confined-water training which is tailored to individual experience and local beach conditions. 

Practical training covers areas such as:

• Breath Hold and Apnea

• Surf Survival Swimming Pattern

• Freestyle and sidestroke swimming techniques

• The Buddy System

• Black Out Rescue

• Ocean preparedness

• Sea Survival

• Black Out Rescue and Surface Protocol

• Panic and Fear Management

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course length

1 day.

+ 1 day Consolidation Training to move onto Level 2.

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Who is this course for...?

This course is suitable for all levels of watermen, waterwomen and watergrommets. The programme will be specifically tailored to challenge those that enter this level with more ocean experience. 

 

PRICING

Starting from AU$300 (excluding GST)

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Minimum standards

Students must be able to swim and be medically fit (see below).

Minimum age is 16.

To obtain the Level 1 Watermanship Programme certification, students must:

1. Complete the pre course registration and online learning package

2. Display competence in the following:

   • One Ocean International Breathing Patterns

   • Freestyle and sidestroke swimming

   • Underwater breaststroke

   • Duckdive

   • Using the Buddy System

   • Black Out Rescue

3. Perform the following:

   • A static apnea of at least 2’00”

   • A dynamic-no-fins distance of 25 m.

   • A 400m One Ocean International surf survival swimming pattern

   • Correct demonstrations of survival swimming techniques

   • A Black Out Rescue on the surface

4. A Level 1 Programme reflection (via Online Learning Hub)

5. One day Consolidation Training to move onto Level 2

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inclusions

• Freediving mask and Flotation aids

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what to bring

• Towel

• Wetsuit (3:2 sealed steamer as a minimum)

• Mask 

• Water

• Lunch and snacks

• Zink/sunscreen

• Pen and notepad

• Lunch

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Medical Fitness

You will be asked to complete a medical declaration as part of your course registration. Unless you suffer a medical condition that is a contradiction to watermanship training, you will not be required to complete a medical examination.

Students with contradicting medical conditions, however, will be required to undergo a Dive Medical that meets the Australian Standard 4005.1. We require documentation of this prior to course participation.

Medical conditions that are of concern to watermanship training are: lung conditions, heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, any ear problems or any other major medical conditions. 

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If you are in any doubt regarding your medical eligibility please don’t hesitate to contact One Ocean International.