Teaching PFI Freediver courses in Tampa/St Petersburg & Florida Gulf coast since 2013

aPNEA & breathwork FOR human PERFORMance

Applied apnea: task based freediving & human performance

Where traditional Apnea Instruction has focused on Competitive Freediving, veteran spearfisherman Bill Van Deman is focused on Applied Apnea- a Task Based & Human Performance centered approach. From operating environments of elite underwater hunters, pro athletes, operators, sports and corporate team building to "real world" in water response, Bill has trained countless divers on FL's Gulf coast and beyond. Bill has supplied subject matter expertise for military, fire, TV & Film applications.

unlock physiological & mental performance through apnea

From training national spearfishing champions and professional athletes using competition proven breathwork and equalization techniques, to teaching young snorkelers how to use a mask and snorkel, Bill employs PFI's proven safe and simple instructional techniques to convey complex critical skills. Basic Apnea askills are attainable and applicable for any level! These skills also unlock latent physiological, mental and neurological responses and benefits that transcend the underwater environment!

TRAINING OPTIONS

PRIVATE, CORPORATE & SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Specialized instruction or safety supervision for private family instruction, corporate groups, military, first responders or entertainment industry.

Private/Group 3 Day Freediver course (1-6 students)

3,400*

*Cost for Apollo Beach or Gainesville facility training only. Includes Course material, SDI ELearning program, and 6:1 student to instructor supervision. Private Location or remote training is also available. Additional charges for instructor travel, hotel, class/pool rental, site or boat fees not included.

Custom Occupational & Corporate Human Performance Workshop: dry or in-water

Varies

Customized Occupational Apnea (professional sports, military, first response) and Corporate Human Performance programs offer a combination of classroom and theory with either dry land or pool-based breathing and skill development. In-water training may include additional site safety supervision with O2, first aid, AED and emergency management planning for coroporate, military, first response, professional sports organizations, film and TV production.

About Us

PFI Instructor Bill Van Deman

Bill achieved a PFI Professional rating as a Safety Supervisor and PFI Assistant Freediver Instructor in 2012 and became a full PFI Freediver Instructor in 2013. Bill was fortunate to be one of the few instructors to receive training directly from world renowned PFI Founder Kirk Krack, followed by training and student teaching with women's world record holder Ashley Chapman, Ted Harty of Immersion Freediving, 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') training with US depth record holder Shell Eisenberg and Chinese National record holder Jessea Liu.

Exeprienced Instruction

As the first Gulf based freediving instructor teaching certified PFI Freediver courses, Bill has over thirteen years of local water experience training divers, athletes and professionals of every level to reach their goals safely and comfortably, with many students achieving depths to 20 meters and breath-holds to 4 minutes in a typical expanded 3-day course. Bill brings a unique understanding of the special challenges, opportunities and adaptations that Tampa Bay and Florida's Gulf and spring freediving requires.

Top Competition Spearfisherman

Bill has been a top Gulf competition spearfisherman- competing in State and National Skindiving competitions since 2009. Bill's Team earned FL State Team runner-up (2nd place) honors in 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2025 and Third Place Team in 2010, 2014 and 2017. Bill was president of the Florida Skin Divers Association from 2013-2016 and the Spearfishing Nationals host committee chairman in 2015 and 2018. Bill served for 10 years as FL (FSDA) state freedive chair and most recently as the Vice President for the Underwater Society of America, the National governing body for underwater sports, from October 2022 through December 2025.

The Next Generation

Bill is the proud father of current FL (FSDA) State Junior Spearfishing champion and FL Men's Individual state runner-up Drew Van Deman. The adventure continues!

Contact Us

wvandeman@gmail.com

Apollo Beach, Florida, United States

(317) 412-2626