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Miami, Florida September 16-19, 2007

The September 2006 Miami Intermediate Freediver Clinic sold out early, and when the students and instructors assembled on the Florida International University campus on Day 1 we were a crew of twenty all told. Martin had flown in the night before from a European teaching/training tour, whereas Kirk and Mandy jetted across the Pacific from a movie shoot in Fiji . I, your intrepid Florida-based Assistant Instructor, motored to class in my famous 1982 BMW. Unlike the rest of the PFI staff, I'd practiced the drive the weekend before. The best way to train for something is to do it, right?

The students were a great bunch, mostly local, mostly previously-acquainted. Classroom sessions drew out some sharp and interesting questions. PFI students always seem to stimulate fresh thinking, which makes the clinics an educational experience for the staff, too. Lots of spearfishing experience on display.

The South Florida weather was cooperative, with near-perfect ocean conditions which improved from session to session. The Day 4 open water diving was about as good as it gets, with 30m/100 foot + visibility and a glassy surface. Miami clinics have been on a roll for marine life sightings, and this September clinic was rewarded with a visit to our dive rig, 7 miles offshore in the Gulf Stream , by a nice reef shark as well as some dolphins surfing the boat wake. A late-afternoon thunderstorm chased us out of the pool with a few minutes left to go in our drills, but that's only because the lifeguard was a chicken.

There were personal bests galore in the pool (static apnea) and ocean (constant ballast) and lots of itching to sign up for the next Advanced Freediver clinic. Another benefit of the students' local knowledge was the super restaurant we invaded for our graduation banquet, a Latin cerviche place in scenic Coconut Grove. I live a short drive up the road from Miami , and I'd have never discovered the place in a million years. Thanks, South Florida PFI students, Class of September 2006 !

Paul Kotik

Plantation , FL USA

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Upcoming Events

March 13, 2008 - Bob Croft, Mark Laboccetta and Kirk Krack will be speaking for the Mid-Atlantic Freedivers

April 21-27, 2008 - "Liquification" Competition and courses Event in Grand Cayman

April 21-27, 2008 - PFI Presents Bob Croft at Liquification event in Grand Cayman

Oct 22-25 , 2008 - DEMA 2008 in Las Vegas

Freediving or breath-hold diving is a type of advanced snorkeling and water adventure that allows us to experience the sights, sounds and challenges of the most natural of underwater experiences.

Human evolution and development has ingrained us with an underwater potential the same as our marine cousins, whales, seals and dolphins.

Without the use of underwater breathing apparatus, freedivers on a single breath of air can explore the underwater realm for minutes at a time with relative comfort.

Freediving is about the comfort and exploration of the ocean realm for recreation, spearfishing, competition or personal discovery.

For over 7 years, Performance Freediving has helped enthusiastic men, women and youth to explore the underwater world with expert training, support and products from the world's top freedivers.

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