About Us
PFI Instructor Bill Van Deman
Bill achieved a PFI Professional rating as Safety Supervisor and PFI Assistant Freediver Instructor in 2012 and became a full independent PFI Freediver Instructor in 2013. Bill was fortunate to receive his instructor training from PFI Founder Kirk Krack, Immersion Freediving Founder Ted Harty followed by student teaching with women's world record holder Ashley Chapman, PFI instructor trainer Chris Bustad and US dynamic record holder John Hullverson. Bill completed his Advanced Freediver certification in 2017 with a depth of 41 meters (135') with US women's depth record holder Shell Eisenberg and Chinese national record holder Jessea Liu.
Exeprienced Instruction
As the first Gulf based freediving instructor to teach certified PFI Freediver courses, Bill has over six years of local water experience training divers and professionals of every level to reach their goals safely and comfortably, with most students achieving depths from 10-20 meters and breath-holds from 2-4 minutes in a typical weekend course. Bill brings a unique understanding of the special challenges, opportunities and adaptations that Tampa Bay and Florida's Gulf coast freediving requires.
Top Competition Spearfisherman
Bill has been a top Gulf competition spearfisherman- competing in State and National competitions since 2009. Bill's Team earned FL State runner-up (2nd place) honors in 2012, 2013 and 2018 and Third Place in 2010, 2014 and 2017. Bill was the president of the Florida Skin Divers Association from 2013-2016 and the Spearfishing Nationals host committee chair in 2015 and 2018. Bill currently serves as FL state freedive co-chair for FSDA.
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