Freediving Instructors International

I took the Level 1 Fii class last weekend with my nephew and could not be more happy with the decision.

The information and the instructors were top notch. I really feel safe in the water now, shallow water blackout is no longer the monster under the bed for me.
Make a class happen, the safety skills are the best and improving your depth and bottom time is great. I cant say enough good things about the instructors and the class. Cant wait to take Level 2.
Here is a clip of my 66' dive, my first ever to that depth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Q4t...ature=youtu.be

James Hankins

February 3. 2012

Hey Dan,

Thanks again. It was really an awesome day and a real privilege. I know I have said a few times already how grateful I am but I just don't have the words to describe just how good I felt while we were out on the water. It has most to do with the amount of physiologic, psychological and emotion stress I have been under and have placed on myself over the past about 7 years, with few real releases. I wish I had taken the class and made the move back toward the water 10 years ago.

I have to be honest, with as comfortable as I am in and around the water I was still just a little bit nervous about the class. But from the beginning your laid back, calm and relaxed style that morning made all the difference once we got out there and on site. It is completely opposite to how things are done in the military. I learned so many things on so many levels its incredible. Your example is to be emulated and I will endeavor to do so in my own activities.

Your class had a real easy natural order to it. Everything we did had a purpose and a reason and it was all done in such a relaxed way. You have a great course Dan.

I will be talking up your class to fellow divers at work now that I have taken it. I hope to get enough people interested to fill or almost fill the seats.

Almost forgot. Thanks for the pictures. I look at them and one of the things that come to mind is just how much I am not thinking about while I am out there. I apologize for being so openly introspective about the experience but I thought that knowing your students and understanding their motivations can only help make you a better teacher. Your role as teacher was one of the focal points of the day and as such is integral to the overall experience. Again your great example will not be one easily forgotten.  All these words are just so when I say  "Thank you" you know where that thank you is coming from. Way down deep."

Best Fishes,

Terry Reist

"The FII Waterman's survival course was eye opening to say the least. The classroom portion explained the science behind breathe holding and the safety techniques perfectly and prepared me for what was to come during the pool and open water portions.  The open water portion simulated big wave hold downs and disorientation very well while the pool session prepped me for the open water and taught me training exercises. As a result of the course I feel more prepared for the big swells of the winter than I ever have and have gained a training partner / big wave buddy from the class who I have the utmost confidence in.  I fully recommend the FII Waterman's Survival Course to anyone who is going out the ocean surfing or in rough water conditions. With big waves it's only a matter of time before a serious hold down, broken board or bad wipeout happens; the proper training may save your life or the life of another."

Stephen Schur

I just took the FII Level I class in Hermosa Beach last 11/19-20/2011 with Mark Lozano, and I think the $275 was well worth it. I have been freediving and spearfishing

for over 45 years now, yet I found most--if not all--of the information given in the class to be new and absolutely relevant to me, especially the safety aspect. I'm now looking forward to take the Level II course.
I urge everyone who freedives while spearfishing to seriously consider taking these courses.
Di Au

SpearBoard Member

FII's level 2 was one of the greatest things I have ever encountered. One day I had noticed that my regular spearfishing buddies were consistently outdiving me after taking a so called freediving course. It had been a month since we dove together and could not believe how comfortable they looked in the water with such long bottom times. I went home to research the freediving class they were bragging of and enrolled myself in the next class FII had available. The course has opened a new world for me. Of course my spearfishing ability has improved, but this merely scratches the surface of what I have learned. The safety skills that are taught here are, in my opinion, a prerequisite to anyone wishing to freedive. I am now much calmer in the water, which has allowed me to interact with various marine animals that I would have never thought possible. I've been in the water my entire life as a visitor, but now, sometimes I feel like I am a part of it.

Through FII, I have met many like minded people that are drawn to the water like a magnet. Many of these people have become my good friends that I hope to have as friends for life.

Thanks FII,

Tony Babowicz

I just wanted to extend a very big thank you to all of you at FII for such an awesome learning experience. Martin, I can't thank you enough for all the insight you've given us into the world of freediving. The knowledge that I gained in the Level 2 Freediver course is priceless and it has given me a completely different outlook on my personal freediving. During the 4 day course I shattered my personal bests including static apnea as well as depth and I can't wait to get back in the water and start practicing the teachings and techniques you've shared with us. Thanks again!

From the Big Island...

Russ Kapuniai

Hi Niki-
Congratulations! Brett told me of your wedding with Martin and his world record attempts coming up. I hope it was great and it all sounds very exciting. I just wanted to tell you how impressed we all were with both the program and the instructor. We each surpassed our previous limits and really opened ourselves up to a new dimension in freediving. I am glad our classroom time was broken up and personalized, giving us more free time while on vacation. The curriculum was straightforward and very real world friendly. We couldn't say enough about Brett. He was very professional while keeping a great sense of humor and made the lessons entertaining. The learning atmosphere felt very comfortable and he kept everyone laughing. He was extremely knowledgeable and we all felt safer while he was in the water. It was really a great experience. We plan on returning this November and are very interested in the level II class. Thanks and congratulations again!
-Ted

The untold science of breath hold diving was once kept as a secret, but now it is available to the general public. Years and years of medical knowledge and freediving mastery has been developed into a program by my good friend Martin Stepanek, from Freediving Instructors International. After taking his freediving courses I was shocked by the vital knowledge that I was lacking to progress forward in my diving carrier. By taking the courses I had accelerated my knowledge, skill, ability and safety at an exponential rate that would have otherwise taken me a lifetime to attain.

Dan Silveira

USA Spearfishing Champion - Team USA 2010 member

Dear Mark:

The Waterman Survival course was fantastic! - a requirement for anyone participating in water sports of anykind-including the "Weekend Warriors" like myself that still think they are 21 years old!

There is no substitute for preparing for real life events and circumstances. This course brings the potential water hazard up close and personal so one can be prepared and confident going forward with their respective sport.

Appreciate you excellent communication skills in the class and careful and patient instruction in the water.

I think everyone would especially find the creativity of the swimming pool segment enjoyable and satisfying.

Shaun Hurley, MBA

Real Estate Broker

Martin and Nikki,

I would like to express our extreme satisfaction with the quality of the FII Junior Freediver course as well as with Errol Putigna.  I knew that having my kids in the class would be challenging but Errol’s teaching experience and his patience made it all seem easy.  We all learned a tremendous amount and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience!

I have renewed confidence in the water now and I am excited about practicing my newly learned skills this coming weekend.  Capt. Randy Towe, and I (he also took the course) will be freediving in Bimini or the FL Keys this weekend and as freshly certified freedivers and we are looking forward to doing so with the confidence that we now understand how to do so safely and effectively.

I am eagerly recommending your course to all of my friends and will continue to do so.  When I am ready I will be taking the level 2 course and I look forward to continuing to develop these new skills.

THANK YOU!

Bernard Paul-Hus, South Florida 10/02/10

FII L2 CLASS WITH MARK LOZANO

I recently had the pleasure of taking an F.I.I. Level II freediving course in Hermosa Beach California with Mark Lozano. Mark was an excellent instructor. The 4 days I spent training with him were extremely challenging both academically and physically. Guiding the class through the workload, Mark made the curriculum approachable and meaningful. With Mark I felt a level of assurance that allowed me to push beyond my limits. Even with challenging marine conditions and poor water visibility, Mark's ability to inspire and lead allowed for the successful completion of practical components. Mark made nearly every dive alongside the students. Seeing Mark just above me after turning to ascend on deep dives gave me the confidence to grow my abilities. His coaching and mentoring enabled me to succeed in my life long goal of reaching 100 feet. Your organization is served well by his presence here in California. Because of his class I am now inspired to continue with my training and look forward to participating in a level III class some day in the future.

Jon Ammerman, California 06/07/2010

FII STRETCHING FOR FREEDIVING

“I would like to thank, you and Martin for your nice effort to make this DVD. I think is one step forward for all the freedivers who care about real freediving training. These stretching exercises I think would help everyone to face the pressure in any depth without any problem to get injured. From now on I will start to make these exercises and I am definitely sure in few months from now on to have and see big changes to myself when I freedive. Martin explains every exercise so clear and easy understanding. Hope this is just a beginning and in the near future more freediving DVDs will follow.”

Stelios Papadakis, Greece 07/06/2010

Hello guys,

I have fresh news for you...during the last two weeks I was training two students of mine to participate in FAZZA Breathhold Competition and few hours ago one of them placed 3rd and won the bronze cup plus the cash prize...

The skills I learned from you guys and the FII experience of teaching people this sport helped me to make this achievement.

Regards,

Khalid 04/10/11

QatarSub.com

Brett,

I hope you receive this email prior to the class meeting for the open water. I am fully wimping out.I got pretty cold in the pool. I want you to know how impressed I was with your expert knowledge of all aspects of the sport. The class exceeded my expectations in every way. If you ever want to come down and spear the remote spectacular atolls of Belize let me know.

Regards,

Jordan