Freediving Family Reunion:
Ice Diving and Sauna In Finland (24 Spots Total)
What Are Freediving Family Reunions?
Freediving Family Retreats are our way of bringing the friends and family we meet at Deep Weeks together once again to use what we learned to have fun and dive together!
Each family retreat is a close knit and unique experience for those that join. Space is very limited at these events which opens us up to one of a kind opportunities to explore the world with friends.
Freediving Under The Ice
Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear waters of lake Iso-Melkutin in the south of Finland—an icy new environment for our freediving adventures. Dive into the cold, experience diving under ice, and share invigorating dives with fellow Deep Weekers. Here, the focus is on the collective experience, the sheer joy of diving, and the tranquility of the surroundings.
When you are feeling just a tad bit too chilly, we will have saunas set up, ready for you to warm up in before jumping back into the cold.
This retreat includes exclusive accommodation at a cozy lodge nestled on the peaceful shores of another close by lake. Wake up to breathtaking lake views, the soothing sounds of nature and even an ice plunge, if thats how you want to start the day!
The lodge is more than just a place to stay; it's a welcoming haven with saunas, hot tubs, a kitchen full of cooking utensils and more—a space to relax and rejuvenate or play a game of pool or foosball.
The Freediving Family Retreat is your exclusive opportunity to continue your freediving journey with those who've become a part of your freediving family. Dive into the heart of Finland's lakes, reconnect with familiar faces, and create new memories that you will carry with you for years to come. Your retreat package covers accommodation, select meals, transportation, and event arrangements, ensuring a smooth and unforgettable experience
Let’s go for a cheeky ice dive!
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The Activities
We are heading back to the frozen lakes of Finland for another amazing under ice experience that will absolutely become one of the highlights of your diving experience.
The first and last days (March 1st and 6th) are transfer days where no diving will take place but we will be getting together, getting on the same page and getting gear sorted! If you arrive early in Helsinki, you will have the opportunity to go to the dive site early to see how the spot is set up, including helping cutting and moving the huge blocks of ice for us to dive the next day!
We will be diving from the 2nd to the 5th with an experienced crew that are not only adept at running these types of events but are also avid ice divers and Finnish National Record holders themselves! We will work with them to dive safely under the ice on a track they have set up and prepared for us which includes entry and exit holes every 12.5m in the ice for both the diver and the safety, as well as a station for diving to 25m.
When you are ready to get warmed up after some time in the water, you can head over to the wood fired tent saunas set up on the ice! Then rinse and repeat!
In the evenings we will have free reign of the two massive kitchens and can either cook as a whole crew or eat individually. It wouldn't be a Freediving Family event if we didn't throw in some flexibility!
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The Schedule
The schedule is pretty chill (see what we did there?) As always, we have activities to participate in but you don’t have to if you aren’t feeling up to it!
- 0700 Morning Ice Dip 🥶 🥶 🥶 🥶
- 0800-900 Breakfast
- 930 Transport to the lake
- 1000-1600 Ice diving (small lunch/snacks on the lake, dry food with hot water +snacks)
- 1600 Back home/relax/
- 1800 Dinner
- 1900 Relaxing evening activities (gaming, hot tub/sauna, movie night, presentation, evening walk, etc)
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What Is Included and what Isnt
Included in the price of booking is the following:
- Accommodations, including sheets, lodge saunas, hot tubs, pool/foosball/ping pong and two full kitchens
- Transportation to and from Helsinki Airport (March 1st and March 6th) and to and from the ice diving location
- 4 sessions of 5ish hours of ice diving and sauna March 2nd - March 5th
What is not included
- Meals and Groceries (you will have opportunities to go to the store)
- Underwater photographer
- Gear Rental
Meet Your Host
Join the Freediving Families static fanatic and Deep Week Manager Brandon Reed as he returns to the icy depths and maybe, just maybe, will jump into the ice this time without a wetsuit on!
Frequently Asked Q’s
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Our reunion events are TYPICALLY reserved for only those who have been to a Deep Week or Freediving Family event before. That said, we sometimes run events open to all and this is one of those events!
So, if this is your first Freediving Family event, then perfect! Come join us! This also applies to your partner that is keen to come! Feel free to message us at deepweek@freedivingfamily.com to help organize this if your partner isnt planning on diving but still wants to hang out on the ice with us!
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During our Family Reunions, we don’t offer certifications. You must be at least Wave 1 certified or the equivalent to be able to attend these events and jump in the water with us!
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Due to the unique nature of the events and how each one is individually planned, we are only able to transfer your deposit to a future Freediving Family Reunion and only if you have requested the deposit to be moved no closer than 8 weeks before the event begins.
In the event that you need to cancel your spot within 8 weeks of the event starting, we do charge a fee equal to the event deposit. Any balance remaining can be applied to a future Family Reunion.We cannot issue refunds.
For more info, check our terms of service.
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Gear hire is not included. You can either bring your own gear from home or you will be able to rent gear from the local organizer. Use the contact form below for assistance with gear rental.
When you sign up, you will receive a packing list of recommended items to bring to make sure you have the best experience!
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The water will be just above freezing (duh!) so we recommend a custom fit 5mm wetsuit. This is to ensure that you dont have water leaking into your wetsuit which is what really makes the cold water a challenge! Remember that when you do get cold there will be saunas on the ice that you can jump into so a 7mm wetsuit isnt totally necessary (but of course is up to you to decide!)
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You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and later on pay the remainder balance.
With no deposit, your booking is not confirmed.
As soon as you book in, you will receive an email with a button that says “Pay Remainder Balance”. You can click that button anytime you like.
We ask the full payment to be covered eight weeks before the start of the event.
You can also choose to pay in full.
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Your transaction is securely processed through Stripe on our website.
We also can take paypal or crypto. If you would like to pay in this way, please contact us at deepweek@freedivingfamily.com.
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Nothing during the retreat is compulsory.
If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a dive session or workshop or want to go out for dinner close by with a group of friends you made, then by all means do so!
With a smaller group, we have more flexibility to go off script but, as always, this is your vacation and you get to decide how you want to engage with it!
Pricing
Our retreat spots fill VERY quickly! So put a deposit down to reserve your spot before its gone!
$660 AUD
Pay Your Deposit
$2,590 AUD
Pay In Full
The price includes all training, setup, ride to and from Helsinki Airport and accommodation costs but does not include any flight travel or transport from other airports, meals or gear hire. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $660 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount can be paid 8 weeks prior to the Family Reunion. Your transaction is secure through Stripe. Terms of Service.