About Us
" I'd rather lose myself in passion than lose my passion"
-Jacques Mayol
Here at Hypoxic Hunters we pride ourselves on offering the safest freediving practices to all of our divers. FII has set the standard for safety in freediving. Our program teaches a fun and easy way for you to quickly progress in freediving while staying as safe as possible. Our team is dedicated to not only giving you the best courses possible, but also an incredible experience. Zach is currently based in Fort Lauderdale Florida managing a freediving & spearfishing shop, while traveling to teach. Meanwhile, Andreas is in the Northeast of the United States teaching and coaching. Reach out today and we'll be more than happy to help you with anything you may need.
Meet Our Staff
This is your Team Section introductory paragraph. It's a great space to introduce your team and describe what makes it so special. Use this section to outline your team's structure, culture, and work philosophy. Don't be afraid to show character here. Putting a face and personality to your story helps your customers connect.
Andreas Palm
Instructor
Andreas Palm, originally from Germany, has always loved being in and around water. When not playing baseball or soccer, he would be found swimming or practicing dynamic apnea. But it is his first freediving experience with sharks in Hawaii that truly revealed a new side of himself and convinced him to pursue his new passion and love for the marine life. With Martin Stepanek (13x World record holder & founder of F.I.I.), Errol Putigna (highly recognized international freediving instructor) and Zachary Small (founder of Hypoxic Hunters) as his instructors, he has received nothing but the best in training to become a longer, deeper, but most importantly, safer diver. As an F.I.I. instructor, Andreas is now eager to help others bring out their true potential under the water, safely discover the magic of the big blue, and discover freediving as a perfect blend of sport and meditation to balance a busy life. He will gladly travel to instruct courses, both in English and German.
Zachary Small
Founder, Freediving & Spearfishing Instructor
*Will travel to teach*
Zachary Small is the founder of Hypoxic Hunters. Zach grew up in Minnesota, where his love for water sports grew in freshwater lakes. He became a competitive spring board diver at a young age, which later lead him into doing stunts shows, mainly focused on high diving for the past 13 years. During this time, Zach gained interest in spearfishing, and because of this, found his first freediving course. After completion, his love for the sport grew quickly, leading him to take as many freediving courses as possible. Shortly after, he quickly decided to share his love for the sport, taking his first instructor course with 13x world record holder Martin Stepanek. Later taking his spearfishing instructor course with John Dornellas. Zach's knowledge quickly grew, as did his love for teaching it to others. From teaching freediving to absolute beginners in China, to teaching the prince of Malaysia how to spearfish, Zach travels all over the world to offer both classes and private coaching to everyone. His main location is based on the east coast of the United States. He now travels full time to teach, and spends his free time building diving equipment such as spearguns and knives. Feel free to reach out for all and any questions regarding classes, coaching or gear.
Kelly Franklin
Underwater Photographer, Instructor
Kelly spent most of her childhood landlocked and fell in love with the only water she could find- muddy lakes. She was usually found diving to the bottom for rocks or swimming under docks challenging friends to breath holds. A career as an international flight attendant luckily moved her closer to the ocean. She travels all over the world and still enjoys the simplicity of diving for rocks and holding her breath. Kelly experienced many issues at the beginning of her freediving career and specializes in problem solving, from new divers who are nervous to seasoned divers with sudden trouble areas. Every student has their own comfort level along with a set of goals and Kelly is great at recognizing that and tailoring the class so that everyone leaves happy and has fun!
Cancellation Policy
Unless your instructor informed you otherwise during your course registration process, this is the general cancellation and rescheduling policy that FII professionals follow:
Refund & Cancellation Student &
Reschedule or Cancellations
If you have paid your deposit or paid your entire course fee:
If you notify your instructor at least 14 days before the start date of the course you've enrolled in, the instructor will transfer your enrollment to a different course location or start date, on a space‐available basis, for an administrative fee of 15% of the total tuition fee.
If you notify your instructor less than 14 days, but at least 7 days before the start date of the course you've enrolled in, the instructor will transfer your enrollment to a different course location or start date, on a space-available basis, for an administrative fee of 25% of the full tuition fee.
If you notify your instructor less than 7 days, but more than 48 hours before the start date of the course you've enrolled in, the instructor will transfer your enrollment to a different course location or start date, on a space‐available basis, for an administrative fee of 50% of the full tuition fee.
No refunds can be offered within 48 hours of your course commencing.
Please, be aware that all deposits and payments towards 'Boat fees,' 'Private Training,' 'Events' and 'Trips' are final.
Instructor Cancellations
FII Instructors make every reasonable effort to ensure that courses are held on schedule and in full. We value your time and respect your schedule. We must, however, recognize that freediving is an activity that may be constrained by events or conditions which are unlikely, or beyond our control. These include, but are not limited to:
Inclement Weather: If, in the judgment of FII Instructor or the boat captain, weather conditions are unsafe for a course's scheduled open ocean freediving trips, trips may be canceled or postponed. Canceled or postponed ocean diving sessions can be made up by students during a later course, on a space‐available basis, at the student's convenience, at no additional charge beyond the boat fees ordinarily due for all ocean dive trips.
Insufficient Enrollment: The FII educational philosophy is built on the foundations of safety, student peer support, and instructor‐student ratio. FII Instructors reserve the right to cancel or postpone courses if fewer than 3 students enroll. In the event of a cancellation due to insufficient enrollment, your FII Instructor will transfer enrolled students to their next scheduled course convenient to the student or cancel enrollment and refund deposits and fees received.
Terms and Conditions
By rendering a payment, whatever in full or partial, with your registration for the course, practice session, or trip via FII online portal or otherwise, you are entering into a business contract with the instructor/facility named in the registration form, not with FII. Bear in mind that all FII Instructors/Facilities are independent business entities.
Freediving Instructors International, LLC is an educational entity overseeing only the standard and quality of freediving training and supervision provided by FII Instructors/Facilities. That being said, please feel free to contact FII even in the business practices-related matters you experience with your FII. Instructor/Facility