Purple Team- Scootin Uni

Ben Weiss

Ben lives in Santa Barbara, CA, where he writes computer graphics software for a living. After many years spent surfing, kayaking, and scuba diving, Ben was introduced to freediving in a PFI course three years ago. Since then, freediving has become a passion of his, culminating in a spot on the US freediving team for last year’s World Championships in Okinawa. This year’s will be his third Cayman competition, and he looks forward to outdoing his personal bests, and enjoying time with great friends along the way!

Hawkeye Parker

Hawkeye discovered freediving in 2003 and the connection was immediate and strong.

In early in 2009, Hawkeye took PFI’s Intermediate Freediving class. The experience was transformative for him: he took the PFI instructor training course a few months later and started assistant teaching shortly thereafter.

Simply put, Hawkeye loves freediving: the basic pleasure of swimming, moving, and flying underwater; understanding and training the physical and mental sides of the sport; the relaxation and quiet of a good breath-hold; diving with marine animals and exploring underwater ecology; just hanging out and diving with the great people in our freediving community. His love for diving translates naturally into a passion for helping others learn about freediving.

Ashley Futral

f you find yourself in earshot of Ashley you will quickly learn that she has two passions; the 35′ Pearson she will be traveling the world on with her partner Ren Chapman, and freediving. Freediving took Ashley by storm in 2008 when she decided to participate in the PFI Intermediate course in the Cayman Islands. The only goal in mind, to reach 100′ she exceeded her expectations by maxing out the course at 132′. Intoxicated by the rush of success she has gone on to complete the PFI Instructor program. She is now an independant PFI Instructor and president of Evolve Freediving, teaching freediving courses in Wilmington, NC.

Other freediving accomplishments include selection for the 2008 US Women’s Team in the World Freediving Competition, where the US women clenched the silver medal. She has also reached a personal best depth of 201′ at the Deja Blue 2010 Competition, where again, she came home with a silver medal. Among her best dives include the one made to 50′ with Ren Chapman at Deja Blue 2010 where he asked her to marry him! She hopes to improve at Constant Weight No Fins at Deja Blue 2011 and live happily ever after on her boat.

SPONSORS