Learn to Freedive with our Instructors

Mike Board (UK)

Mike is a 18 times National Record holder for team Great Britain, a Molchanovs & SSI Freediving Instructor Trainer, and a former Royal Marine Commando. His commitment to Freediving as a passion and a sport is apparent in every course he teaches and student he inspires.

Mike has a strong background in teaching. As a Freediver, he is a Molchanovs and SSI Instructor Trainer and an Apnea Total Master Instructor, but he is also a TDI Technical Diving Instructor and a PADI OW Scuba Instructor. He has a strong physical approach to his own training, however through Freediving he has discovered that equally important is the balance achieved through activities such as yoga and gaining greater self awareness and mental focus. Both approaches feature strongly in his teaching style.

As an instructor he believes that you should be able to do what you teach and so regularly strives to discover his own limits and extend them, through competing in Freediving and the training that goes with it. Mike has dived to 112 m in the Constant Weight with Fins (CWF) discipline, has set eighteen British National records, and is the former British record holder for CWT at 112 m and for Free Immersion (FIM) at 102 m. He was also a member of the British Freediving Team (www.britishfreediving.org) for the 2011, 2013 and 2015 Individual World Freediving Depth Championships and Team Captain for the British Freediving Team at the 2014 Team World Freediving Depth Championships. Through competing in international competitions and exploring progressive training techniques, Mike ensures that all the teaching at Freedive Gili evolves along with the sport of Freediving.

As part of the Freedive Gili team Mike teaches Instructor courses throughout the year (when not away competing!) and is keen to share his passion for Freediving with you.

Mike first visited Gili Trawangan in 2001 whilst traveling as a scuba instructor and instantly fell in love with its crystal clear waters, great diving and the relaxed beach lifestyle. In 2008 Mike returned to Gili Trawangan with the vision of Freedive Gili and opened the first Freediving and Yoga center in the region in 2009.

Chris Botting (UK)

SSI & Molchanovs Level 2 Instructor.
Chris has always been a water person. Starting as a surfer and falling in love with the sea, he soon became a scuba instructor. After many years instructing, he decided to branch out a little further and became a freediving instructor. He is now dedicated to showing the wonders of the underwater world on 1 single breath.

Veronika Kruse (Germany)

SSI Level 2 Instructor. Molchanovs Wave 3 Instructor.

Veronika grew up in Germany as far away from the sea as you can imagine. She started freediving when she moved to England and fell in love with it. Soon after she decided to turn her new found passion into a profession. She came to Freedive Gili to take her instructor course and then stayed to share her love for the sport and the sea.