[News] Martin Stepanek Resigns from PFI

[Fondueset]

Pete - i didn't realize you had such large forearms. Sara - as I'm sure you know the secret to getting out of that one is in the hip and elbow. I wonder if that facial radiance is an adaptation from deep diving?

[Lehmann108]

Dang! I was looking forward to meeting and diving with him on the Miami PFI free diving course in Septemper.

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by RockFTO

I can't believe you think gossip is an important thing even though you compare it to speculating.

I DO agree with respecting the privacy and if you read my note carefully you'd see I'm motivating people to wait for official source declaration instead of talking about
silly things.

Nothing silly between friends

[laminar]

Originally Posted by RockFTO View Post
I can't believe you think gossip is an important thing even though you compare it to speculating.

I DO agree with respecting the privacy and if you read my note carefully you'd see I'm motivating people to wait for official source declaration instead of talking about
silly things.

I don't believe gossip is a helpful or important thing. People love to do it though. Speculating is the same as gossip when it's on a public forum such as this one, in my humble opinion. One person's speculation, presented convincingly, can become another person's gossip and judgement.

My post was more about my own decision not to speculate or gossip since I have known the members of PFI since 2000 and enough of their history beyond Martin to stick my foot in my mouth and the ears and eyes of people reading this thread. And there are others who know them far better than I do.

The silliness between friends is simply done in honour of harmless fun. This thread won't really progress on its listed topic until we hear news from Martin and/or PFI, which may never happen.

PFI in its current incarnation is a group effort, IMHO, as follows:
-Kirk's vision of teaching freediving world wide and pursuing it despite challenges along the way (his own and external)
-The sheer motivation and love of competition of Mandy Rae and her support of the business
-Martin's talent and sportsmanship
-Early successes with Tanya Streeter and Brett LeMaster
-Volunteer help from CAFA members and friends, Cayman friends
-Doc's support in the last few years
-Kirk's involvemen with AIDA, CAFA, and many other diving related organizations, often at the top level
-Kirk's talent for staging events so tha they actually happen

Martin will no doubt face the same challenges that any person starting a business will face. He is a great person and he'll have as good a shot as any.

I do hope he is able to continue setting world records. He is an exciting freediver to follow.

Pete

[Spaniard]

Maybe he had an offer he couldn't refuse?

[Jon]

-Kirk's talent for staging events so tha they actually happen

That's the number one reason for their success in my opinion.

I spent over two years trying to pin Pipin down on a time, and place, to take one of his freediving courses. After many emails, phone calls, and even talking to him at DEMA, I finally gave up after I bumped into Kirk, and PFI, about 6 years ago.

Kirk had actual course dates planned- that he followed through on! He also had lots of experienced divers with him- including Eric Fattah, Martin, and Karoline.

I learned more in my week with them than in the two months I spent in my IDC or all of the technical diving courses that I've taken over the years- which were more like hoops to jump through rather than actual learning experinces.

There are many reasons people decide to go their own way- Living a few thousand miles away from where I grew up, and where people spoke another language would be more than enough reason for me to want to go back home and try something on my own. Whatever the reason I am quite sure that there will be more high quality courses run, on the dates planned, for some time to come.


Jon

BTW: I saw the pictures and Sven does nothing for me; however, his niece in the red cowboy hat is welcome to dive with us whenever she wants.

Jon

[icarus pacific]

That's mighty white of you Jon.

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by RockFTO

I can't believe you think gossip is an important thing even though you compare it to speculating.

I DO agree with respecting the privacy and if you read my note carefully you'd see I'm motivating people to wait for official source declaration instead of talking about
silly things.

Why should Martin have to give any explanation or declaration? It's his life after all, and it's his personal business.

Wish him well and success.

[Fondueset]

I heard Oprah said he was going to work for the phone company.

[gaiadiver]

My girlfriend who should know sez he got a movie deal.

[Morg]

Wow this really shocked me. I am glad that I took the class when I did. Martin was a great teacher and role model.

[trux]

Originally Posted by gaiadiver

My girlfriend who should know sez he got a movie deal.

Paul Kotik told me he saw him leaving with a huge glass ball on his SUV and murmuring something about beating Blaine's record. No, not the one of the most spectacular blackout ever. He will stay closed in the bubble for two years, or any time needed to develop gills, and then doing an hour long apnea (including drinking of 12 bottles of beer under water while being chained).

[Pastor]

Originally Posted by trux

Paul Kotik told me he saw him leaving with a huge glass ball on his SUV and murmuring something about beating Blaine's record. No, not the one of the most spectacular blackout ever. He will stay closed in the bubble for two years, or any time needed to develop gills, and then doing an hour long apnea (including drinking of 12 bottles of beer under water while being chained).

Damn, that's a shame!!!! Someone at the top of his game going off the rails with hair brained schemes like that Still that's what being shunned by Sven does for you

[Kars]

What? He didn't choose the sea? He chooses the girl? He must have seen the wrong 'Big Blue' movie!

Well in time we shall know and hopefully understand, best of fortunes, love, peace and water to you Martin!

Kars

[RockFTO]

Originally Posted by island_sands

Why should Martin have to give any explanation or declaration? It's his life after all, and it's his personal business.

Wish him well and success.

Read my note again. I have never said he SHOULD or HAD TO. I just said that speculating and gossip is not a good thing.