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Steve Millard I have been teaching watersports since I was 16 years of age. I was a Kayak and Sailing instructor for over 10 years at local authority watersports centres and I have been qualified to teach SCUBA and snorkelling since 1994. I took up freediving a number of years ago and never looked back. I enjoy recreational freediving in quarries or the sea and have been abroad a many times on courses and on holidays. I just enjoy being underwater, also I enjoy being with friends and like minded people. Our group has no stress and we just enjoy what we do. Everyone in the group helps each other reach their own potential whether they be champions, record holders or are new to the sport. My first introduction to real freediving and real freedivers (after years of snorkelling) was at the SETT in Gosport. The UK squad were having a training day ready for the Cyprus competition. The course at the time was run by Howard jones (who now runs project 180) and from that moment i knew i was going to love the sport. I did two further courses with Umberto Pellizzari in the Red Sea and Sardinia which furthered my motivation. Meeting him was a pleasure and seeing him dive was inspiring. I have recently started to enter competitions which gives me the motivation to train a bit harder and see my potential. I was fortunate enough in 2006 to be picked for the UK Freedive squad to go to the fifth Freediving team world championships in Hurghada, in the Red Sea. It was an excellent experience and met some great people and got to dive in warmer conditions for a change ;-) In 2008 I went to a Menorca training camp with Francois Gautier and after finishing third overall in Constant weight and second out of the UK competitors in the salt free double dip I represented the UK in the sixth World Championships as a squad member and UK Head Coach. I was also BFA (British Freediving Association) Training and Safety Officer 2007/2008. Personally I now run AIDA courses at the dive school where I am the manager so if you are interested please contact me on the e-mail below. We run freediving courses for beginners and advanced divers.Information can be found here: FREE DIVE COURSES. Currently we run the AIDA 1*, 2*, 3* and 4* AIDA courses. AIDA is the worlds largest freediving agency in terms of education and in its recogition of World records. You will need to be at least 18 years old to freedive with us and you will also need to complete a Medical Form which requires a doctor's signature if you have any medical problems. This sport is not recommended for anyone without a good level of fitness. I am a member of the British Finswimming Association and the SaNDfiinswimmers group. I hope to see you at a dive site some day. Contact me:- apneaboy111@hotmail.com
Trapped under ice in Sweden, for this story follow the two links. |
