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

aPNEA & breathhold skills FOR sport & human PERFORMance

Basic Freediver, St Petersburg, August 22-23

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: August 22-23, 2026. St Pete and open water location TBD. Ages 12+

Basic Freediver, Tampa, August 29-30

Basic 2 day Freediver course to 10 meters depth. August 29-30, 2026. Tampa & open water location TBD. Ages 12+

Basic Freediver, Tampa, September 26-27

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: September 26-27, 2026. Tampa and open water location TBD. Ages 12+

Basic Freediver, St Pete, October 17-18

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: Oct 17-18, 2026. St Pete and open water location TBD. Ages 12+

Basic Freediver, Gainesville, November 21-22

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: Nov 21-22, 2026. Gainesville and open water location TBD. Ages 12+

Specialty TRAINING OPTIONS

PRIVATE & SPECIALTY TRAINING TRAINING

Specialized instruction, Workshop or safety supervision for location based private instruction, corporate team building, operational SME consulting, first responders or entertainment industry training AND safety.

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

3,400*

*Cost for Apollo Beach or Gainesville facility training only. Includes Course material, SDI E-Learning 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, remote site or boat fees not included.

Sport, Occupational & Corporate Performance Workshop: dry land apnea or in-

Varies

Sport, Occupational Apnea (professional sports, military, first response) and Corporate Human Performance programs offer a combination of classroom and theory with 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 corporate, 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 is among the few PFI instructors to receive training directly from world renowned PFI Founder Kirk Krack, followed by training and student teaching with world record holder Ashley Chapman, Ted Harty of Immersion Freediving, PFI instructor trainer Chris Bustad and US dynamic champion John Hullverson. Bill completed his Advanced Freediver certification in 2017 with US depth record holder Shell Eisenberg and Chinese National record holder Jessea Liu.

Experienced Instruction

As the first FL Gulf based PFI freediving instructor, Bill has over thirteen years of local experience, training over 300 divers (including 7 current freedive instructors and 2 National spearfishing champions), professional athletes, celebrities and professionals at every level. 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 2025 FL (FSDA) State Junior Spearfishing champion, 2026 2nd Place Men's Team and 2025 Men's Individual runner-up Drew Van Deman.

The adventure continues!

aPNEA & breathhold skills FOR sport & human PERFORMance

Applied apnea: task based freediving & human performance

unlock physiological & mental performance through apnea

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