apneacity inc. - e37cd

What apneacity inc. - e37cd does

ApneaCity Inc. is a privately held, Montreal-based freediving school founded in 2016 by François Leduc (President/Founder, also founder of AIDA Canada in 2009) and Philippe Beauchamp (Vice-President/Founder). It operates as the first AIDA International-recognized freediving school in Canada and the only AIDA-certified school in the Greater Montreal region, with William Winram — a world record holder and IUCN Oceans Ambassador — serving as coach and mentor. The company delivers AIDA-certified instruction from beginner through instructor level, plus private, semi-private, and group coaching; organizes freediving competitions and exploration expeditions (including wreck, night, under-ice, river diving, and multi-day liveaboard trips such as the Pirates of the Thousand Islands); and runs a seasonal summer coached pool program at the Parc Jean Drapeau 5m diving basin.

Its core technology and product surface combines a proprietary instructional methodology with branded physical goods: an exclusive ApneaCity-branded premium soft neoprene wetsuit manufactured by Elios Sub, a proprietary ApneaCity Freediving Buoy (80cm Dropstitch PVC designed for extreme/cold-water conditions), and authorized retail of SEAC and Octopus freediving equipment (fins, masks, snorkels, dive computers, wetsuits, spearguns, knives, bags, safety gear). ApneaCity also offers Emergency First Response (CPR/AED/first aid) certification and equipment rental (buoys and wetsuits). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the apneacity.com e-commerce storefront, a physical Montreal location, third-party booking platforms (activitymessenger.com, am.lol), and seasonal use of external facilities; marketing relies on organic social (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), earned media (Radio-Canada, CBC, Télé-Québec, IMAX), and referral/gift-card programs. The company is bootstrapped with no institutional funding, parent, or subsidiary disclosed, and operates with a small founding team supplemented by named instructors.

Revenue is generated across five streams: freediving instruction and AIDA certifications (professional services), equipment sales and rentals (hardware sales), expedition and exploration trips (professional services), and electronic gift cards sold in fixed $25–$300 CAD denominations. Pricing is in Canadian dollars with unit-based pricing for most SKUs and a single annual subscription for the summer pool program ($74.99 CAD). Primary customers are individual freediving enthusiasts ranging from beginners to competitive athletes, plus equipment buyers and conservation-minded participants in The Watermen Project expeditions.

Name

apneacity inc. - e37cd

Legal name

ApneaCity

Website

https://apneacity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ApneaCity is a privately held Montreal-based freediving school founded in 2016, offering AIDA-certified instruction, coaching, expeditions, and proprietary plus third-party equipment to individual freediving enthusiasts in Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freediving Education & Equipment Retail

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools) (THAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Freediving instruction
• Diving certification courses
• Freediving equipment retail
• Dive expedition trips
• Underwater exploration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freediving Instruction and Certifications: Revenue from structured courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, including AIDA certification programs. Also includes private coaching, semi-private coaching, and group training sessions (entraînements dirigés).
2. Equipment Sales: Sale of freediving and spearfishing equipment including fins, masks, snorkels, wetsuits, dive computers, knives, spearguns, bags, safety gear, and accessories. Operates an e-commerce storefront.
3. Equipment Rental: Rental of freediving safety buoys with lanyards and ApneaCity wetsuits for customers who do not own equipment.
4. Expedition and Exploration Trips: Revenue from organized expedition trips such as the Pirates of the Thousand Islands 4-day liveaboard diving experience including accommodation and meals aboard the Pirate Ship.
5. Gift Cards: Electronic gift cards sold in denominations of $25, $50, $100, $150, $200, $250, and $300.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ApneaCity operates an AIDA International-certified freediving school in Montreal offering structured training from beginner initiation through instructor-level certification, plus private, semi-private, and group coaching. The company complements instruction with organized exploration expeditions, competitions, and an e-commerce storefront selling proprietary ApneaCity-branded freediving gear (buoy, wetsuits) and third-party SEAC diving equipment.

Product overview

ApneaCity is a Montreal-based freediving school and e-commerce retailer offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on freediving education, training, and equipment. The core offerings include AIDA International-certified training programs progressing from beginner initiation through advanced and instructor-level certifications, supplemented by private, semi-private, and group coaching sessions. The company organizes exploration expeditions and competitive events, with signature offerings like the Pirates of the Thousand Islands multi-day boat expedition and seasonal outdoor pool training at Parc Jean Drapeau. The retail division sells an extensive range of SEAC-brand freediving equipment including fins (W-22, Motus, Speed), masks (One, Raptor, Cove), snorkels, computers (Apnea, Partner, Apnea HR), wetsuits (SNAKE, PACE, Energy exclusive to ApneaCity), and safety gear including the proprietary ApneaCity Freediving Buoy. Complementary accessories include bags, knives, spearguns, and Octopus-branded safety equipment. The company also provides Emergency First Response certification courses and equipment rental services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AIDA Freediving Training and Certification Structured AIDA International-certified freediving instruction for individuals progressing from beginner to advanced and instructor levels, including safety training and equalization techniques.
• Private and Group Coaching Sessions Private, semi-private, and group coaching programs for individual freedivers covering breathing, equalization, stress management, and physical conditioning.
• Private Freediving Course One-on-one private freediving instruction tailored to individual skill development and personal goals.
• Semi-Private Freediver Course Small-group freediving instruction combining personalized coaching with peer-based learning.
• Summer Session 2026 Coached Pool Training 12-week seasonal group coached training in a 25m x 25m outdoor pool with 5m depth, water heated to 28°C, focused on dynamic apnea, static apnea, and equalization technique.
• Freediving Competitions Organized competitive freediving events for athletes testing time, distance, and depth disciplines.
• Exploration Expeditions Guided underwater exploration trips including wreck diving, night diving, under-ice diving, river diving, and boat-based liveaboard expeditions.
• Pirates of the Thousand Islands 2026 Expedition 4-day liveaboard diving expedition including accommodation and meals aboard the Pirate Ship, featuring wreck diving, drift diving, and island exploration.
• Emergency First Response Certification Course CPR/AED and first aid certification course covering emergency care skills for life-threatening situations and secondary patient assessment, offered on request.
• Equipment Rental Services Rental of freediving safety buoys with lanyards and ApneaCity wetsuits for various duration periods, serving customers who do not own equipment.
• ApneaCity Freediving Buoy Professional-grade 80cm diameter Dropstitch PVC freediving buoy with safety features including rope holders, 4 handles, D-rings, drainage holes, and optional safety accessories, designed for extreme conditions including cold water and under-ice diving.
• ApneaCity Standard Size Wetsuit Premium soft neoprene wetsuit manufactured by Elios Sub exclusively for ApneaCity, available in standard ready-to-wear sizes with no waiting time.
• Electronic Gift Cards Electronic gift cards sold in denominations of $25, $50, $100, $150, $200, $250, $300 CAD, and custom amounts, redeemable for ApneaCity products and services.
• SEAC Freediving & Spear Fishing Equipment Retail Authorized retail of SEAC-brand freediving and spearfishing equipment including fins, masks, snorkels, dive computers, wetsuits, bags, knives, spearguns, safety gear, and accessories for individual consumers.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AIDA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApneaCity is the first AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) school in Canada. The school is recognized by AIDA International for providing freediving certifications and training that meet international standards. Instructors are AIDA-certified and the school offers AIDA certification courses from beginner to instructor level.
• AIDA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized by the national Canadian association AIDA Canada as the only AIDA-certified freediving school in the Greater Montreal region. François Leduc, co-founder, is noted as the founder of AIDA Canada in 2009.
• The Watermen ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApneaCity collaborates with The Watermen Project in conservation expeditions aimed at contributing to scientific and empirical research to study and protect the marine environment, particularly large marine species such as sharks and whales. William Winram is also associated with The Watermen Project as a Waterman and ocean explorer.
• Elios SubcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerElios Sub manufactures premium soft neoprene wetsuits exclusively for ApneaCity. These ApneaCity-branded wetsuits are sold through the ApneaCity store as proprietary branded merchandise.
• William WinramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWilliam Winram is ApneaCity's coach and mentor. He is a world record holder in freediving, IUCN Oceans Ambassador, photographer/waterman, ocean explorer, and renowned coach who trained, certified, and continues to mentor ApneaCity instructors.
• SEAC / SEACsubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApneaCity is an authorized reseller and retailer of SEAC (SEACsub) freediving and spearfishing equipment. SEAC also produces an exclusive ApneaCity pool wetsuit (SEAC Energy) sold only through the ApneaCity store.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Molchanovs: Global freediving brand founded by world champion Alexey Molchanov, offering AIDA-equivalent instruction, instructor certification, proprietary equipment (wetsuits, bifins, monofins), and a worldwide community of certified divers. Most direct comparable to ApneaCity's combined school + equipment retail model.
• BlueWater Freediving: Long-running US-based freediving school offering instruction, expeditions, and instructor certification through multiple international agencies. Closely comparable to ApneaCity in service mix (courses, expeditions, training community) though operating from a different geography.
• Performance Freediving International: International freediving instruction organization offering courses, instructor certification, and expeditions across multiple regions. Comparable in delivering AIDA-style curriculum and progression pathways similar to ApneaCity's certification stack.

Others

• SEACsub: Italian freediving and spearfishing equipment manufacturer whose products dominate ApneaCity's retail assortment. A close supply/retail relationship and a co-branded pool wetsuit make SEAC simultaneously an equipment peer, supplier, and partial competitor in branded freediving gear.

Broad incumbents

• Cressi Sub: Long-established Italian maker of freediving, spearfishing, and scuba equipment with global distribution. Competes directly with the SEAC line ApneaCity resells and with ApneaCity's own branded wetsuits in the broader gear market.
• Mares: Global dive equipment manufacturer (freediving, scuba, spearfishing) with broad retail presence and own brand schools. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the freediving gear category that ApneaCity operates in via retail and proprietary products.
• Aqua Lung: Established global dive brand spanning scuba, freediving, and watersports equipment with worldwide distribution and recognized training agencies. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose equipment competes with what ApneaCity sells.

Regional players

• Vertical Blue: Bahamas-based freediving school and host of the world's premier competitive freediving event (Vertical Blue), run by world-record holder William Trubridge. Comparable as an elite freediving training/competition venue, though geographically distinct from ApneaCity's Montreal base.
• Adreno Spearfishing: Australia-based freediving and spearfishing retailer, school, and expedition operator offering both equipment retail and certified instruction. Comparable business model (school + equipment + expeditions) but operating in a different geography.

Emerging players

• DeeperBlue.com: Online freediving community and content platform offering courses, gear reviews, and a global audience of enthusiasts. Comparable as an adjacent emerging player that combines education content with commercial affiliate revenue in the freediving space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/apneacity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ApneaCity
• Facebookfacebook.com/apneacity
• Instagraminstagram.com/apneacity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apneacity

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about apneacity inc. - e37cd