Our Team
John Prins
Instructor Trainer, Judge
hi, I'm John! I'm an AIDA certified Freediving Instructor Trainer based in San Francisco, and the founder of Fins and Foam Freediving.
People don't realize it because we don't have a tropical climate, but there are beautiful conditions for freediving in the Bay Area. Deep calm lakes for those who are into freediving for healing and meditation, and the wild Pacific Ocean for those who want to swim with sea lions, forage for uni and catch ling cod.
You dont need to be a strong swimmer, or be sporty or athletic. Freediving is not about struggle, it is about relaxing and slowing down. See you underwater!
People don't realize it because we don't have a tropical climate, but there are beautiful conditions for freediving in the Bay Area. Deep calm lakes for those who are into freediving for healing and meditation, and the wild Pacific Ocean for those who want to swim with sea lions, forage for uni and catch ling cod.
You dont need to be a strong swimmer, or be sporty or athletic. Freediving is not about struggle, it is about relaxing and slowing down. See you underwater!
Laura Melroy
Instructor, Judge
Hi, I’m Laura! I’m an AIDA certified Freediving Instructor and Judge living in Oakland.
My happy place is being in or around the water and I am way more coordinated in water than on land. I grew up as a competitive swimmer and water polo player, lifeguarded, taught swim lessons, and remain a forever hot tub enthusiast.
I studied marine biology in grad school and would like nothing more than to talk to you about the bright, slimy, misshapen creatures you see on your dives. Beware asking me about latin names, life histories, and dispersal mechanisms if you don’t have a lot of time :)
Freediving is a way for me to spend more time in the water and explore the California coastline with rare, but treasured, trips to warmer places. See you in the water!
My happy place is being in or around the water and I am way more coordinated in water than on land. I grew up as a competitive swimmer and water polo player, lifeguarded, taught swim lessons, and remain a forever hot tub enthusiast.
I studied marine biology in grad school and would like nothing more than to talk to you about the bright, slimy, misshapen creatures you see on your dives. Beware asking me about latin names, life histories, and dispersal mechanisms if you don’t have a lot of time :)
Freediving is a way for me to spend more time in the water and explore the California coastline with rare, but treasured, trips to warmer places. See you in the water!
Bizo Silva
Instructor, Medic
hi, I'm Bizo! I'm an FII certified Freediving Instructor and Freediving Competition Medic based in Davis.
By day I am an ER doctor, and on the weekend you can find me somewhere deep below the surface of Lake Berryessa. For me freediving is therapy and teacher. Each dive is a little death and rebirth, and I emerge with a new appreciation for the sights and colors of the world above water. In my teaching I emphasize the meditative side of freediving: using the breathing to slow the heart and clear the mind, entering a state of deep relaxation ready for a deep dive.
Check out the episode of the Freedive Cafe where I am the special guest!
By day I am an ER doctor, and on the weekend you can find me somewhere deep below the surface of Lake Berryessa. For me freediving is therapy and teacher. Each dive is a little death and rebirth, and I emerge with a new appreciation for the sights and colors of the world above water. In my teaching I emphasize the meditative side of freediving: using the breathing to slow the heart and clear the mind, entering a state of deep relaxation ready for a deep dive.
Check out the episode of the Freedive Cafe where I am the special guest!
Johnny Sunnex
Instructor Trainer, Organizer, Chief of Safety
hi, I'm Johnny! I am an AIDA and PADI certified Freediving Instructor Trainer based in Maui.
As a freediving athlete, my personal best is 110m, and I have ranked top 5 in the world in the FIM and CWT disciplines, represented New Zealand in the Freediving World Championships, and won competitions such as the Triple Depth and Deep Dahab.
As a coach, I have helped athletes achieve five world records and over 70 national and continental records, world number one rankings and world championship medals.
As a safety diver, I have been Chief of Safety for Vertical Blue and Safety Officer for AIDA, helping to set the standards for best safety practices worldwide.
My passions include growing the sport by organizing competitions (including the world record status Blue Element competition in Dominica) and teaching and training the next generation of freedivers.
Check out the two episodes (#2 and #68) of the Freedive Cafe podcast where I am the special guest!
As a freediving athlete, my personal best is 110m, and I have ranked top 5 in the world in the FIM and CWT disciplines, represented New Zealand in the Freediving World Championships, and won competitions such as the Triple Depth and Deep Dahab.
As a coach, I have helped athletes achieve five world records and over 70 national and continental records, world number one rankings and world championship medals.
As a safety diver, I have been Chief of Safety for Vertical Blue and Safety Officer for AIDA, helping to set the standards for best safety practices worldwide.
My passions include growing the sport by organizing competitions (including the world record status Blue Element competition in Dominica) and teaching and training the next generation of freedivers.
Check out the two episodes (#2 and #68) of the Freedive Cafe podcast where I am the special guest!
Rich Stachowski
Instructor, Judge
hi, I'm Rich! I am an AIDA certified freediving Instructor and Judge based in the Bay Area.
I have been in the water ever since I can remember. When I was a young boy my dad would take me with him on his spearfishing trips up and down the Pacific coast. These early memories of fresh fish for dinner with family instilled in me a lifelong love of the ocean, sustainable ocean-to-table hunting, and marine conservation.
Another fun fact: as a boy I was so keen on living part-time in the water that I invented a talking device that worked underwater! That device ended up being sold in Walmart stores nationally.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you my love of freediving and ocean foraging.
I have been in the water ever since I can remember. When I was a young boy my dad would take me with him on his spearfishing trips up and down the Pacific coast. These early memories of fresh fish for dinner with family instilled in me a lifelong love of the ocean, sustainable ocean-to-table hunting, and marine conservation.
Another fun fact: as a boy I was so keen on living part-time in the water that I invented a talking device that worked underwater! That device ended up being sold in Walmart stores nationally.
I'm looking forward to meeting you and sharing with you my love of freediving and ocean foraging.
Brandon Burke
Instructor
Hi I'm Brandon! I am a NAUI and PADI certified Freediving Instructor and spearfishing guide based in Monterey Bay, California.
I started freediving and spearfishing in my youth off the coast of Florida. I made Monterey Bay my home after falling in love with the enchanting kelp forests and challenging conditions that define this unique region. I love being immersed in the raw, beautiful nature of the ocean and am a passionate spearfisherman dedicated to an ocean-to-table lifestyle.
I run Odyssey Freediving and am president of the Monterey Bay Tritons, which hosts local tournaments and events.
I love working with Fins and Foam because of the community it creates and the accessibility it gives new divers to learn about freediving. Hope to see you in the water soon!
I started freediving and spearfishing in my youth off the coast of Florida. I made Monterey Bay my home after falling in love with the enchanting kelp forests and challenging conditions that define this unique region. I love being immersed in the raw, beautiful nature of the ocean and am a passionate spearfisherman dedicated to an ocean-to-table lifestyle.
I run Odyssey Freediving and am president of the Monterey Bay Tritons, which hosts local tournaments and events.
I love working with Fins and Foam because of the community it creates and the accessibility it gives new divers to learn about freediving. Hope to see you in the water soon!
Monica Schmiede
Instructor, Organizer, Judge
hi, I'm Monica! I am an AIDA certified freediving Instructor, Judge and Athlete based in Marin County in Northern California.
Growing up on the East Coast, I started scuba diving as soon as I was of age and have traveled the world exploring underwater as much as possible. When I discovered freediving, I was instantly drawn to the experience of interacting more naturally with marine life without the assistance of cumbersome equipment.
I've grown to love the local kelp forests and lakes offered in California as well as the thriving community of divers and ocean conservationists here. It's an honor to continue to share the magic of freediving as an instructor for Fins and Foam and organizing local competitions to continue to grow the community.
Growing up on the East Coast, I started scuba diving as soon as I was of age and have traveled the world exploring underwater as much as possible. When I discovered freediving, I was instantly drawn to the experience of interacting more naturally with marine life without the assistance of cumbersome equipment.
I've grown to love the local kelp forests and lakes offered in California as well as the thriving community of divers and ocean conservationists here. It's an honor to continue to share the magic of freediving as an instructor for Fins and Foam and organizing local competitions to continue to grow the community.
Sasha Simonova
Instructor
hi, I'm Sasha! I am an AIDA certified freediving Instructor based in Berkeley, California.
I have had a lifelong love of yoga and breathwork, and when I discovered freediving, I realized it is a perfect union of the two. When I moved to Berkeley to pursue my PhD in Anthropology, I got involved with the thriving local freediving community here and became one of the pioneers of our most "double black diamond" freediving spot, Horseshoe Bay. The difficulty and absolutely liminal nature of this experience inspired me to make a documentary film about freediving and, maybe in the future, the first anthropological study of this weird activity!
Generally on Sunday mornings you'll find me freediving in the warm, calm waters of Lake Berryessa. Hope to see you up there!
I have had a lifelong love of yoga and breathwork, and when I discovered freediving, I realized it is a perfect union of the two. When I moved to Berkeley to pursue my PhD in Anthropology, I got involved with the thriving local freediving community here and became one of the pioneers of our most "double black diamond" freediving spot, Horseshoe Bay. The difficulty and absolutely liminal nature of this experience inspired me to make a documentary film about freediving and, maybe in the future, the first anthropological study of this weird activity!
Generally on Sunday mornings you'll find me freediving in the warm, calm waters of Lake Berryessa. Hope to see you up there!
Eric Pan
Instructor, Judge
Growing up in a landlocked city in northeast China, Eric had never dived into the ocean until he was 22. Despite being an avid swimmer for many years, he never thought one day he would be obsessed with the ocean. It was his first freediving class in an aquarium in China that made him realize his love for freediving.
Eric is now one of the deepest divers on the West Coast. He represented China in the 2023 World Championship and claimed four national records: CWT at 88m, FIM at 83m, CNF at 55m, and CWTB at 82m. Soon after that, he participated in the 10th Azul Freediving Challenge in the cenotes of the Yucatan and won gold medals in FIM and CWTB.
Eric is an experienced and bilingual (Chinese/English) AIDA certified instructor who, before moving to the Bay Area, previously taught freediving in Chicago, Hawaii, and LA.
Audrey Yang
Instructor, Judge
hi, I'm Audrey! I'm a PFI, NAUI and SSI certified Freediving Instructor based in San Francisco.
Back in the days of legal abalone diving, some friends and I were completely thwarted by bad ocean conditions during a "dive for abalone" Groupon. I took it personally, so I signed up for a freediving class.
In the decade since then, I've enjoyed a great deal of foraged seafood and "aggressively snorkelled" all over the world. While I scuba almost as much as I freedive, freediving lets me explore remote places that don't have scuba infrastructure, or where it's hard to bring scuba gear.
I became an instructor so that I could find more safe freediving buddies. You can be one too!
Back in the days of legal abalone diving, some friends and I were completely thwarted by bad ocean conditions during a "dive for abalone" Groupon. I took it personally, so I signed up for a freediving class.
In the decade since then, I've enjoyed a great deal of foraged seafood and "aggressively snorkelled" all over the world. While I scuba almost as much as I freedive, freediving lets me explore remote places that don't have scuba infrastructure, or where it's hard to bring scuba gear.
I became an instructor so that I could find more safe freediving buddies. You can be one too!
Renee Blundon
Instructor Trainer
hi, I'm Renee! I'm an AIDA certified Freediving Instructor, PADI certified Instructor Trainer, and 3x national record holder in both depth and pool disciplines of freediving.
Originally from Connecticut, I have lived abroad for the better part of the last decade in Egypt, Europe and in Africa, training and competing in freediving for the last 8 years and teaching freediving courses for 7+ years. In 2018 and 2022 I represented the USA on the national Freediving Team.
I am now in the US Air Force, stationed in Monterey, and excited to be teaching freediving in California!
I write a blog and produce a podcast about training freediving at the highest level, check them out here:
https://www.reneeblundon.com/podcast/
https://www.reneeblundon.com/blog/
Originally from Connecticut, I have lived abroad for the better part of the last decade in Egypt, Europe and in Africa, training and competing in freediving for the last 8 years and teaching freediving courses for 7+ years. In 2018 and 2022 I represented the USA on the national Freediving Team.
I am now in the US Air Force, stationed in Monterey, and excited to be teaching freediving in California!
I write a blog and produce a podcast about training freediving at the highest level, check them out here:
https://www.reneeblundon.com/podcast/
https://www.reneeblundon.com/blog/