Inspiring Freedivers: Introducing new SSI Instructor Trainer Giovanni Bianco.
February 9, 2024
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create freediving instructors? To teach them how to teach, how to engage their students, and to prepare them for their exciting new careers? Giovanni Bianco is an SSI Instructor Trainer from Italy who does just that.
We reached out to Giovanni to ask him all about what it is like to be a Freediving Instructor Trainer, and what his teaching calendar looks like for 2024. If you are thinking of becoming a freediving instructor, or a freediving instructor trainer, Giovanni’s story will inspire you to go for it.
Love freediving? Meet new SSI Instructor Trainer Giovanni Bianco:
1.Hi Giovanni, we heard you recently became an SSI Instructor Trainer! Congratulations! Can you please tell us about how your freediving journey began?
"My Freediving journey began in 2013 when I did my first freediving certification in Elba Island. Back in those days, I was a navigation officer on a big tanker ship, and I remember that I was spending months watching the ocean and dreaming about going deep and catching big fish.
I was more of a spearfisher than a freediver, but then I decided to change the course of my life. I quit the ships, moved to Egypt, and started freediving in Dahab to train my skills and become a Freediving instructor.
The best part of this journey is that I started to teach freediving because I wanted a job that would allow me to train in freediving, but I found out that I love teaching more than training. That is why I turned into a full-time instructor."
2. How long did it take for you to become an SSI Instructor Trainer? Have you been teaching for a long time?
"This is a good question! It took me quite a long time to become an SSI Instructor Trainer. I have been chasing this course for the last four years before finally I did it.
I originally started teaching in 2014, and I see this Freediving Instructor Trainer course as a gift for ten years in the SSI Family. I am very happy and proud of this achievement."
3. Was it always your dream to teach new instructors?
"As I said before, I found out that I really love teaching and I really love freediving. Teaching instructors was not my first dream, but during the last ten years, I saw how Freediving became more popular around the world.
I saw the number of freedivers increasing year by year and I also noticed that the number of freediving instructors was increasing.
I think that freediving is one of the most beautiful disciplines in the world. But if you do not do it in the right way, it can also be dangerous, so freediving instructors have the responsibility to teach their students in the best and safest way possible.
I want to contribute to the community in this way; if there are good instructors there will be good students and the freediving community will grow."
4. Will you solely teach instructor courses now, or do you still love to teach beginners, too?
"I still love to teach beginner, advanced, and performance freediving programs, but I think that my main duty now is to focus on future instructors."
5. You are teaching at the famous Y-40 in Montegrotto Terme, Italy. Do you teach there year-round?
"I think Y-40 is one of the best deep diving pools to teach freediving in, even if the ocean is something special. I believe that the best thing is to combine pool training and open-water training.
That is why I work in the pool during winter (from October to June) and in the ocean (from June to October) at my center eSea Freediving & Spearfishing in Cagliari, Sardinia.
6. What is your favorite thing about teaching others to become freediving instructors?
"The favorite thing for me in teaching is sharing. When talking to my students, I love to share my passion, knowledge, mistakes, and the experience that I have gained over the years.
Last but not least, I like the idea that I do my best to ensure that future freediving instructors will be professional instructors."
7. Do you have any advice for someone thinking of becoming a freediving instructor?
"The advice that I would like to give to someone thinking of becoming a freediving instructor is to never stop learning. Be hungry and try to develop collaboration with other instructors. Becoming a freediving instructor is a starting point not a point of arrival."
8. How can people book a freediving instructor course with you?
"If anyone would like to book an SSI Freediving Instructor course with me, my calendar of upcoming courses will be available by the end of January on eSea Freediving & Spearfishing.
People are also welcome to private message me on social media @Giovanni.bianco_freediving or find me on the SSI Center Locator."
Giovanni certainly is living the dream! Teaching brand new freediving instructors to teach in the best and safest way possible.
Want to do the same? Get started on your journey today with the SSI Freediver program.