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

aPNEA & breathwork FOR spearfishing & 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 skills are attainable and applicable for any level! These skills also unlock latent physiological, mental and neurological responses and benefits that transcend the underwater environment!

rEGISTER FOR COURSES

Basic Freediver, St Petersburg, May 30-31

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: May 30-31, 2026. St Pete and freshwater Spring location TBD. Ages 10+

Open Water Freediver 20m, May 30-31 & June 6

Open water Freediver course to 20 meters depth. May 30, 31 and June 6. St Petersburg & freshwater spring location TBD. Ages 10+

Basic Freediver, Tampa, June 28-29

Basic 2-day Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: June 27-28, 2026. Tampa and freshwater spring location TBD. Ages 10+

Basic Weekday Freediver, Tampa, May 11-12

Basic 2-day Weekday Freediver Course to 10 meters depth. Dates: May 11-12, 2026. Tampa and freshwater spring location TBD. Ages 10+

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.

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 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.

Exeprienced 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 and FL State 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