Freediving in Nice

The CIPA (Centre International de Plongée en Apnée) is a freediving club in Nice, on the French Riviera. It does nothing but freediving: in the sea all year round, in the pool from October to June, always with instructors.

Most of the club's instructors speak English, so you can freedive with us without speaking French.

The club is a non-profit association, known worldwide for its records and international competitions, yet it welcomes everyone, from first-timers to world champions. It grew out of the Nice school where Loïc Leferme started in the early 90s.

Sea sessions

All year, every Saturday and Sunday morning and most weekdays, 9 am to 12 pm, by boat from the port of Nice. Constant weight, free immersion, and sometimes « No Limit », the sled dive from The Big Blue.

  • Meeting point: the club's room at the Aigle Nautique sailing base, 50 boulevard Franck Pilatte, Nice.
  • The club lends wetsuits, fins, masks and weight belts at sea.
  • Exact times depend on the instructor and the season, and are posted on the club's planning.

Pool sessions

October to June, at the Fielding pool, 98 boulevard Édouard Herriot, Nice.

  • Tuesday 7 pm – 8:30 pm: dynamic (distance).
  • Thursday 8 pm – 9:30 pm: static (time).
  • No equipment is lent at the pool: bring your own wetsuit, swim cap, mask or nose clip, and for dynamic, fins and a weight belt.

Courses

The club runs AIDA courses, aiming for at least one AIDA 2, AIDA 3 and AIDA 4 every year. See Formations.

Joining

  1. Create an account on the site (the form is in French).
  2. The club's volunteer board validates it, usually the same day.
  3. Book a session. Your very first one is an introduction dive, with no medical certificate needed.
  4. From your second session on, you need a medical certificate under one year old stating you are fit to freedive. Then choose single sessions or a yearly membership, which requires an AIDA or FFESSM licence. Prices are on the Tarifs page.

Freedivers must be at least 15.

Create an account

Contact

Questions? Write to the club through the contact form. You can also follow the club on Facebook and Instagram.