Deep Weekend - Mount Gambier - Feb 2025

“I felt like an alien, descending from the spaceship in a pillar of light. Unforgettable!” - Tessa, Deep Weekend student from 2024

What is a Deep Weekend?

You may already know about Deep Week - there is nothing else like it!

So what is a Deep Weekend?

Deep Weekend is like a mini Deep Week. It’s so much more than just a freediving course. It’s an in depth opportunity to improve your diving with world class instructors and connect with fellow freedivers over 3 days. We will be diving in one of Australia’s most incredible dive sites: Kilsby Sinkhole!

Deep Weekend is a one-of-a-kind chance to take your diving to the next level and take your freediving course without feeling rushed.

Freediving in Kilsby Sinkhole

When: Feb 6th-9th and 20th-23th 2025.

Deep Weekend will take place in the Kilsby Sinkhole in Mount Gambier which is the most incredible place in Australia to dive!

Mount Gambier is home to some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world! There are dozens of sinkholes around the area, including the famous Blue Lake!

Kilsby Sinkhole is one of the most breathtaking dive spots in Australia, if not the world! The sinkhole is a 27m deep fresh water sinkhole with impeccable visibility.

Famous for its insane water clarity - with visibility ranging from 40 - 80 metres depending on the day and season - Kilsby Sikhole is where we will be doing our depth training.

Mount Gambier is right in the middle between Adelaide and Melbourne. It’s roughly a 5-hour drive from both cities. It’s best to fly into Adelaide, hire a car and drive over. We all usually car pool for the trip!

During the 3 days, you'll be able to either take a freediving course (Wave 1, Wave 2, or half of Wave 3) - or just come diving with no expectations!

Feb 6th-9th, 2025
Feb 20th-23rd, 2025

One of the most spectacular weekends of your life!

  • The Workshops

    Everyday our instructors will hold a variety of workshops on different freediving topics.

    You are welcome to attend as many or as few activities as you like and choose which workshops to attend based on your interests.

  • The Weekend

    Thursday (afternoon)

    Arrive In Mount Gambier and get together for a big family dinner! If you can’t make it for whatever reason just let us know and we’ll get you up to speed once you've arrived.

    Friday

    Training in Kilsby Sinkhole during the morning, afternoon workshops, and lobster diving later in the afternoon.

    Saturday

    Training in Kilsby Sinkhole during the morning, afternoon workshops, and night diving crystal clear ponds once the sun goes down.

    Sunday

    Training in Kilsby Sinkhole during the morning and leaving back home after noon.

  • The Schedule

    Morning Dive Session

    Lunch

    Afternoon Workshop

    Lobster Diving / Night Diving

    Family Dinner

 

A breath-taking place…

 
 

Join the FAM, hear it from our Deep Weekers

  • Entering as strangers and genuinely leaving as a family.

    Sensational deep week experience. Very cost effective and inclusive (for a student like myself); fully transparent with costs and inclusions. I seriously cannot recommend every freediver to do at least 1 Deep Week trip with Adam Stern and the Freediving Family at least once…. I’m already dreaming of my 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc trips….. could even say it was life changing! (Kilsby Sinkhole and Ewens Ponds experiences especially)

    Iris Egan

  • Deep Week Mount Gambier was the best week of my life.

    The amount of knowledge i learned about freediving and fun i had was unreal. The way it was all organised and put together was just perfect. The way everyone was so close by the end of the week really made us all feel like a big freediving family. Kilsby was definitely the highlight with its crystal clear water and magical shard. Thanks Adam and all the instructors for doing such an amazing job, and i can't wait to come back next year.

    Flynn Cowan

  • The location is super rare and special.

    Spent a Deep Weekend at Kilsby Sinkhole...and learned and gained so much in such a short time. The event is not just about Adam, but also the highly experienced and talented crew around him, who back up a wealth of theoretical knowledge with deep wells (!) of personal diving experience. The atmosphere is supportive, you're stretched heaps, while at the same time if something isn't right you can pull back. One of Adam's gifts is quickly diagnosing and trouble-shooting problems with your freediving. What seems like a massive barrier is surmountable. Extremely valuable experience.

    Angus McLeay

Staying in Mount Gambier

 

During the trip we will be staying at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol. It is literally an old gaol (jail) that has now been converted to accommodation. The rooms are dormitory style.

All of the theory and dry training sessions will be held at the Gaol, as well as at least one big catch and cook dinner of lobsters and abalone.

Check out how epic the accommodation is here.

The Gaol is a communal living arrangement and not a hotel, and it is run slightly different . The family who own the Gaol live in a house in the Gaol and they are not around most of the time.

This means that we are responsible for cleaning up after ourselves in the shared spaces, living rooms, kitchens etc. Think of it more like an Airbnb than a hotel.

Exploring Ewen’s Ponds

A miraculous cascade of freshwater streams, teeming with life and the greenest grass you’ve ever seen!

Certifications

During the 3 days you'll be able to take any level of Molchanovs freediving courses that you like!

  • First time? If this is your first taking a freediving course, you'll be able to sign in for your Wave 1. This course is where freediving begins or your time to improve your current knowledge and skills.

    February dates LAST SPOTS.

    Available spots in March.

  • If you have taken your Wave 1 course before or equivalent, you'll be able to take your Wave 2 course. In this course, there is a particular focus on freediving training and what methods a person uses to train themselves to become a better diver.

    February dates LAST SPOTS.

    Available spots in March.

  • If you have taken your Wave 2 course or equivalent, then you'll be able to take half of your Wave 3 course, or just come for training. The Molchanovs Wave 3 course is the most advanced recreational freediving course that exists. It takes longer than a weekend to cover all the course content but we do our best to get you through as much of it as possible! We can always finish the course off when you’re back home.

Included: Diving

3 full days of depth training at Kilsby Sinkhole, workshops, and afternoon fun!

Training and Certification

Training and Molchanovs Certification costs, and Kilsby Sinkhole fees.

Accommodation

3 nights of shared/dorm style accommodation at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol.

Make your own meals like at home

2 full kitchens at the Gaol stocked with basic spices and cooking oils available for your use throughout the weekend.

Other inclusions

Local logistics knowledge. Company credit, tagging on socials, an Event Guide containing everything you need to know to have the best time possible!

NOT included

Please note that transportation, meals, gear hire, and travel insurance expenses are NOT INCLUDED.

Learn more about our pricing here

Pricing

Our spots for Deep Weekend book fast

We only have 18 spots per weekend!

$390 AUD

Pay Your Deposit

$990 AUD

Pay In Full

The price includes all training and certification costs, and 3 nights of accommodation (Thu-Fri-Sat). The price does not include: travel, meals, gear hire and travel insurance expenses. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $390 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount must be paid 6 weeks prior to Deep Weekend. Your transaction is secure. Terms of Service.
 

Questions? Contact us!

 FAQs

 

  • Of course! If you are just getting started in your Freediving journey, we offer Wave 1 courses which are beginner courses. You will learn all the basics of this sport, physiology, safety, and equalization.

    Most importantly, you will have a whole weekend to practice your skills and get more comfortable in the water. No rushing through a 2-day course. Get ready to immerse yourself in Freediving with us!

  • All of our courses are certified under the world’s leading freediving education system - Molchanovs.

  • The price includes all workshops, training and certification costs.

    Staff, set-up and facilities to run the event are covered by your ticket.

    Deep Weekend does not include travel expenses, COVID tests or any travel insurance expenses, meals or gear hire.

    We are also not responsible for how you get to the location. We are unable to provide individual or country-specific advice or assistance.

  • We cannot issue refunds.

    For any circumstances that prevent you from coming to the event, we offer to transfer your payment (deposit or full payment) to a future event in 2025 or 2026 if you give us at least 60 days notice before the start of the event.

    For more info, check our Terms of service.

  • The only gear that is included are freediving weights - you do not need to bring your own lead.

    The rest of the gear is not included - but we can provide it to you for an extra 100AUD charge for a full set (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt, weights). You can either bring your own gear from home or you will be able to rent gear from the dive shops around Mount Gambier.

  • Water is very NOT warm in the Sinkhole. A 5mm open cell wetsuit is highly recommended.

  • You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and later on pay the remainder balance.

    With no deposit, there is no booking confirmed.

    As soon as you book in, you will receive an email with a button that says “Pay Remaining Balance”. It must be paid at least 6 weeks before the event starts.

    You can also choose to pay in full upon booking.

  • PayPal or credit card. Your transaction is secure.

    We do not accept cash payments.

  • Nothing during Deep Weekend is compulsory.

    If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a workshop or want to go out for dinner by yourself, then by all means do so!