Our Freediving Culture and Values

At Jules of the Sea, we believe freediving is more than just a sport—it's a way to connect with the ocean, ourselves, and our community. Our culture is built on safety, respect for the ocean and community, and a commitment to empowering the next generation of ocean stewards.

Safety

The Foundation of Everything We Do

Safety is the core of our freediving philosophy. Every course, guided dive, and community event we offer is grounded in rigorous safety protocols:

• Comprehensive safety training in all courses
• Emphasis on responsible diving & “direct supervision”
• Rigorous certification standards guided by Freediving Instructors International, the only US-based freediving education organization with the highest standards for safety and educational quality in the industry
• Promotion of safety-first mindset in all ocean activities

The ocean is a place of profound enjoyment and connection; subsistence; healing and empowerment for our communities, but with its tremendous power also come inherent risks. We believe that safe, responsible practices are part of respecting the ocean. The greatest gifts come when we approach the ocean with an attitude of respect and responsibility to ourselves, our loved ones, our island and the community. 

By empowering youth through education and hands-on experience, we're creating a future of empowered, compassionate community stewards.

Nurturing Responsible Ocean Practices

As freedivers, we're not just visitors to the ocean or “takers”; we are also its “caretakers”:

• Imparting an attitude of respect & responsibility to the ocean & each other
• Educating about marine ecosystems, conservation, & respect for local community
• Advocating for responsible spearfishing practices & adherence to local regulations
• Creating more accessible freediving-safety opportunities, to increase access to underserved communities

Through our courses and community events, we strive to instill a deep respect for the ocean and its inhabitants in every diver we teach.

Empowering the Next Generation

Our youth programs are designed to create confident, responsible young divers who will become the ocean leaders of tomorrow. Through age-appropriate safety and skills training, we emphasize the importance of respecting one another and caring for our marine environments. Additionally, we encourage youth to actively participate in community conservation efforts, fostering a deeper connection to both the ocean and their role in preserving it.

Engaging Our Community

The ocean is central to Hawaiian culture and local ways of living, yet the present state of Hawai‘i has the second highest rate of drowning in the nation (Hawai‘i Water Safety Coalition). According to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Coalition, “Drowning is now the leading cause of death for keiki and teenagers 1-15 years old in Hawai‘i.” Tragically, Native Hawaiians account for more of these drownings than the estimated general population. According to the Queen Lili’uokalani Trust, the inability to swim is now a “marker of poverty,” with significant barriers prohibiting water safety education and skills at various levels of the community. Drowning, especially among youth, is a preventable accident influenced by and influencing many layers of our community, and regaining access to vital, lifesaving ocean safety education is connected to advancing community wellbeing, enhancing physical and psychological safety, and restoring indigenous connection to place for a more just, sustainable Hawai‘i. 

Julia’s dream is to create accessible ocean safety education programs that empower and uplift youth across Hawai‘i with the same life-defining impact the ocean has made on her.

We’re proud to be an active part of the Kona community:

• Regular community freediving classes 
• Partnerships with local non-profits & schools for ocean safety education
• Volunteer with 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FreediveSafe! Hawai’i

Join us in our mission to create a community of informed, responsible, and passionate ocean advocates.

Be Part of the Change

Whether you're a seasoned freediver or just beginning your ocean journey, there's a place for you in our community:

• Take a course to improve your skills, comfort, and safety knowledge
• Meet like-minded ocean enthusiasts
• Spread the word about responsible ocean practices, especially to youth

By fostering a culture of safety, responsibility, and respect for the ocean, we're not just teaching freediving— we're building resilient communities. Dive in with us and be part of the positive change our oceans and communities need.