Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Fanok.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been fascinated by the underwater world and passionate about all watersports – including diving – since an early age. After progressing through SCUBA courses upon moving to Florida (having escaped from New Jersey), I became a PADI-certified Rescue Diver (SCUBA) in 1994. I was absolutely obsessed! I had been actively scuba diving for a number of years after that when I was exposed to – and became absolutely enamored by – the mixed-bag of freedom, relaxation, challenge, and excitement that FREEDIVING offers.
My passion for freediving only intensified over the years, and a few years ago, I decided to work my way through training and certification courses to become a free dive instructor. The journey has been more than fulfilling and experiencing the life-changing impact freediving has had on my students has been nothing short of amazing.
As a PADI Master Freediver Instructor, a DAN CPR and First Aid Instructor, and recipient of the 2020 PADI Elite Instructor Award, I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with those interested in this extremely rewarding and self-challenging sport.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
While freediving is my passion and I absolutely love teaching and training students, it doesn’t come without challenges. I would say my biggest challenge is instilling a safety-first-ALWAYS-even-after-you’re-let-out-into-the-wild mentality into my students once they complete a course. Safety protocols and practices are the cornerstones of any Beginner/Level 1 freediving course – and the emphasis on safety continues throughout the advanced levels of training.
Once a student completes the Level 1 course, they have the knowledge and ability to pursue freediving more comfortably, deeper, longer – and – most hopefully – safer. The resulting challenge, to me – is to encourage and re-enforce safety priorities as my students progress (some rather rapidly – in abilities to dive to significant depths and elongated breath-holds) and share their newfound passion for freediving with others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would like to think Blue Water Freedivers is known for offering a top-shelf, best-in-class (and indescribably fun)training experience. All Blue Water Freediving courses are taught in a comfortable, easy-to-follow, relaxed, and custom-paced manner.
Fundamental freediving theory and concepts are explained and discussed in a relaxed and fun environment. Physical freediving skills are then actively demonstrated and practiced in a pool and in open-water sessions in our beautiful Florida springs – or in open, crystal-clear deep blue waters of Palm Beach.
What am I most proud of? That’s easy: the dynamic community that has developed around Blue Water Freedivers. My absolute favorite thing about being a freedive instructor is the organic relationships and strong friendships and bonds that have developed in and around courses, group outings, buddy-dive networking, the Blue Water Freedivers online forum for students, and fun in-person student meetups. All bias aside, my students are the absolute best. THEY are my favorite thing about freediving.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite books are Younger Next Year (Henry S. Lodge), Living With a Seal (Jesse Itzler), Sea Change (Peter Nichols), The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (Mark Manson), The Talent Code (Daniel Coyle), Wild at Heart (John Eldredge), Moonwalking with Elvis (Joshua Foer), Oxygen (William Trubridge), Manual of Freediving (Umberto Pelizzari), Deep (James Nestor), One Breath (Adam Skolnick) and I love Donny Mac’s Freedive Cafe podcast and I continually dive into instructional and educational materials from Ted Harty (www.freedivingsafety.com) and a number of various resources online.
Pricing:
- Blue Water Freedivers freediving courses are $399 (Level 1) and $599 (Level 2) with various custom pricing options for private courses and training as well. I provide any/all top-shelf freedive gear if needed/wanted, and there are no additional location entry or boat costs.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@BlueWaterFreedivers.com
- Website: www.BlueWaterFreedivers.com
- Instagram: @BobFanok
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobfanok
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCIZVnTNBhSug4arhpSzz6Kw
