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07-31-2010, 02:58 PM | #46 |
hoos your daddy?
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Cali
Posts: 2,124
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Re: Before FII...After FII
there seems to be this mentality with some people that these 800$ courses are the only way to become a good/safe freediver...i can show you some guys in miami that taught me how to freedive that did it commercially for 20 years and can hunt in 100+ that are still alive and never took a course...i'd rather have them as my spotter any day of the week than somebody who just started spearing a year ago and takes a course and is sunddenly more qualified than people with real experience and hours in the water.
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07-31-2010, 09:01 PM | #47 | |
FII Freediving Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,789
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
Experience can only be accumulated with time. Don't knock someone for educating themselves. No one it talking about qualifications, just education.... |
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07-31-2010, 09:05 PM | #48 | |
Mathew Goncalves
Join Date: Sep 2007
Age: 36
Posts: 1,754
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Re: Before FII...After FII
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08-02-2010, 05:46 PM | #49 |
Dr. Bluewater
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Buttasscold MN
Posts: 387
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Re: Before FII...After FII
I don't knock the pros for capitalizing on their expertise but the Manual of Freediving is a cheap alternative for a beginners self education.....
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08-02-2010, 06:48 PM | #50 |
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jupiter
Age: 41
Posts: 2,016
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Can you guys clear up what class you took, and what it cost? I am seeing prices from $800 to $1500 and hearing between 2 and 4 days. Brian, Martin's FII level 1 instructor, does a 2 day L1 class at Florida Freedivers for $325 that is geared toward spearfishing. Is the difference Martin? I am sure you can't replace learning directly from the best, but is that the only difference? Is the curriculum the same, etc? I hope this doesn't come off like a shameless plug, I just would like to know what all is available...nice fish btw
Last edited by headhunter561; 08-02-2010 at 07:12 PM. |
08-02-2010, 08:55 PM | #51 | |
FII Freediving Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,789
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
There are several FII courses; Level 1, 2, 3, advanced freedive safety, basic freedive safety, instructors courses, etc.... None of the FII courses are "geared" towards spearfishing. Brian may mention spearfishing but they are geared toward becoming a safer and deeper diver, which will in turn, hopefully make you a "better" spearfisherman if that is what your intent is. Yes, I think learning directly under Martin Stepenek has its price but in no way do I think he is "exploiting" his talents, experience and knowledge. If Martin signs off on an instructor, believe me, the instructor knows what he's doing.... Martin is brutal when it comes to training people. He doesn't cut corners nor does he allow his instructors to do so... I'm going through the mix right now.... Also please don't look only at the price, look at it as an investment that you will have the rest of your life and that you can pass on to your colleagues that perhaps cannot afford the courses.... It's not about certification, it's about education. The curriculum is the exact same, whether Martin is teaching it or any other instructor.... Just like PADI. They have written a standard that needs to be followed. Here is FII's site on what each course entails. The website is quite informative: www.freedivinginstructors.com Peace, Errol Last edited by flamencoguru; 08-02-2010 at 09:08 PM. |
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08-05-2010, 03:15 AM | #52 | |
Team Fii
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 283
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
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08-05-2010, 06:08 AM | #53 | |
FII Freediving Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,789
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
Errol |
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08-05-2010, 09:26 AM | #54 |
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jupiter
Age: 41
Posts: 2,016
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Thanks for the clarification guys, I was in no way criticizing, justy trying to understand bc it fascinates me and I want to take one as soon as I am able. As for instructors, I am sure Martin is awesome, and I have heard nothing but great feedback about Brian as well. Thanks for clarifying about spearfishing class, it is the freediving class I have seen. Havent heard anything about the spearfishing course yet. Very cool, can't wait to take level 1!
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08-05-2010, 03:23 PM | #55 |
FII Freediving Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,789
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Rob,
We'll get you strapped up with some nice long fins and off to the deep you will go!!!...... and back, of course :-) Errol |
08-08-2010, 12:51 AM | #56 | |
Team Fii
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 283
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
Here a a couple of pics of the results after 3 days of safe diving. the best money I've ever spent, plus u get to meet 2 world champions and fellow freedivers, trained buddies who can save your life. good luck on the course. |
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09-01-2010, 06:04 AM | #57 |
Saltybones1
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Lots of great info on this thread! Go with the courses! I can vouche for PFI and I've also heard only good about Martin's courses. As Martin was a PFI instructor, trained under Kirk, he's got to be excellent.
Rick BTW, someone posted about urges to breathe. . which ones to ignore and which ones are OK. . .those are NOT a reliable indicator. When your body is down to 10% O2, the lights go OUT!!!! You may NEVER get the urge to breathe, due to your CO2 levels not being high enough. . . please take the courses! |
09-01-2010, 06:27 AM | #58 | |
Skip
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Guam
Posts: 554
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
__________________
Don't shoot your buddy! |
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09-01-2010, 06:54 AM | #59 | |
Matt Brueckner
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Apollo Beach, FL
Age: 52
Posts: 1,243
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Re: Before FII...After FII
Quote:
As for urges to breath, there's two different ones that occur within 30 seconds of a freedive. Neither one is related to a lack of oxygen. |
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09-01-2010, 07:41 AM | #60 |
FII Freediving Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Jupiter/West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 2,789
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Re: Before FII...After FII
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