Surf Survival Training Course
Build Panic Tolerance. Control Your Breathing. Stay Calm When It Matters.
Wipeouts don’t hurt surfers.
Panic does.
 
Most surfers don’t actually run out of oxygen during a hold-down. What overwhelms them is the stress response, the spike in CO₂, and the moment their brain says “I need air right now.”
 
The Deep Sensations Surf Survival Apnea Course is built specifically to train that moment.
 
This isn’t a freediving course.
This is a real-world surf survival workshop designed to teach you how to stay composed underwater, recover fast between waves, and manage heavy situations with control instead of reaction.
 
Hosted by Freediving Instructor, World Cup Safety Diver and Breathwork Coach Curtis Tredway, you’ll learn the exact techniques used by big-wave surfers, water safety divers, and professional ocean athletes.
 
What You’ll Actually Learn
🧠 Mental Tolerance Training
We train your brain, not just your lungs.
You’ll experience controlled breath-holds in a safe environment so your body learns that discomfort ≠ danger. This dramatically reduces panic during wipeouts and long hold-downs.
 
You’ll learn how to:
Stay calm when you’re rag-dolled underwater
Prevent the “gasp reflex” on the surface
Think clearly instead of reacting emotionally
🌬️ Breath Control & Recovery
 
Surfing isn’t about one long breath-hold.
 
It’s about recovering fast enough for the next wave.
 
We teach:
Efficient pre-wave breathing
Post-wipeout recovery breathing
How to clear CO₂ quickly between sets
How to slow your heart rate in seconds
 
This is what allows experienced surfers to look relaxed in heavy surf while others fatigue quickly.
 
Hold-Down Preparation
You will safely practise:
Controlled underwater holds
Disorientation training
Relaxation under pressure
Efficient movement underwater
By the end of the course, wipeouts feel familiar instead of threatening.
 
Course Structure
Total Duration: 5 Hours
Theory Session (2.5 hrs)
The real physiology of hold-downs
Why panic happens in surf
CO₂ tolerance and urge to breathe
Nervous system control techniques
Surf-specific breathing strategies
 
Pool Training (2.5 hrs)
Supervised underwater breath-holds
Recovery breathing drills
Relaxation training
Safety skills and buddy awareness
 
Why Surfers Take This Course
Preparing for bigger waves
Improving confidence for beginners
Getting back confidence after a bad hold-down
Reducing anxiety in heavier conditions
Improving recovery between sets
Avoiding exhaustion in long sessions
 
You don’t need to be a big-wave surfer.

This course benefits anyone who spends time in the ocean.
 
What’s Included
Small group coaching (max 8 people)
Personal feedback and coaching
Practical water safety skills
Techniques you can apply immediately in the surf
 
Location: University of Wollongong
Duration: 5 hours
Price: $249
 
Who This Is For
Surfers, bodyboarders, spearfishers, ocean swimmers, and anyone who has ever had a wipeout that shook their confidence.