David Čani
Czech Republic, EUROPE
Diving / Freediving history
I have started freediving/diving “life” after my swimming competition carrier. Back then I was a part of the Czech national team and have had a couple of national and tournaments records…In my age of 16 years, I began with breath hold diving – cooperating with yogis, also at that time I started with water rescue training, scuba and commercial diving. Next 10 – 15 years I worked hard on my education & skills with the best divers in the world such a Martin Stepanek, Kirk Krack, Jitka Hyniova, Jakub Řeháčk, Wes Skilles, Paul Heinerth, Brian Kakuk and I’ve increased my diving to a level of Freediving Instructor Trainer, Trimix, Rebreather, Technical Cave Instructor Trainer and Commercial Diver.
I began my freediving “for real” taking a course with Martin Stepanek. This course completely changed my life. I got into close contact with freediving competitive community. At 2003 I placed 3rd on Championship of the Czech and Slovak Republics. After that I have achieved:
Personal bests:
- STA 6:54
- CWT 74m
- FIM 74m
- CNF 66m
- DYN 145m
- DNF 171m
In a mean time I moved back to the United States to Ft.Lauderdale and develop my diving activities under Martin’s leadership. Then I’ve graduated and completed my freediving education with Martin Stepanek and Kirk Krack PFI (Performance Freediving Int.) and became an instructor.
After my return to the Czech Republic / 2006, I continued my activities in freediving as a instructor and became president of the AIDA Czech Republic (International Association for the Development of Apnea) and as well as accredited international judge for AIDA competitions.
2005 – 2009 trainer and coach of the Czech national team
WCH team 2006, second place
WCH team 2008, second place
Furthermore, only a list of actions and activities:
- Director of F.I.I. Europe
- Chief organizer and main freediving safety diver for World Records Events with Martin Stepanek – Sony / free.like.no.other 2007, XTB World Record Challenge 2009 and 2011
- Organizer of many freediving events and national competitions etc.
- AIDA International Judge
- Cooperator with world leaders of freediving and diving equipment companies
– scuba diving
- AEANx, Technical Cave, TMx a RB Instructor Trainer Trainer
- Association of Sport and Technical Divers / course director
- Commercial diver 69 – 014 – H
- Active exploration & test diver / max.depth -161m and distance of 2000m
- Designer of SCR TresPresidentes and test diver for Lola, X-CCR, Agama etc.
- Member of the Czech Speleological Society/ZO702-HraniceKarst
- Member of the CSS UW Rescue Team
- CSS member of the commission for Cave Diving Training
- Organizerand main depth diver at securing exploration in Hranice abyss in collaboration with National Geographic and Krzysztof Starnawsky PL. / Second deepest cave in the world…