Our Instructor Team

Renssant Freedive Seattle is led by Ryan Strong and supported by a small, trusted team of assistant instructors who share the same values around safety, professionalism, and student care.

Ben has been part of Renssant Freedive since the very beginning. He is steady, thoughtful, and deeply committed to helping students feel safe, confident, and supported in the water. His experience and thoughtful approach make him an integral part of our instructional team

Viktoryia began her freediving journey as a student of Renssant Freedive and went on to complete the rigorous training and skill development required to become an FII Assistant Instructor, Witnessing her growth and dedication to developing her freediving and teaching freediving has been truly inspiring. She brings empathy, clarity, and strong technical awareness to every session.

Together, our team works closely with students to ensure a learning environment that is welcoming, focused, and grounded in best practices.

Ryan Strong FII #275

Owner and Lead Instructor, Renssant Freedive Seattle

Ryan Strong is the founder and lead instructor of Renssant Freedive Seattle. Based in Seattle, Washington, Ryan brings over a decade of experience teaching and guiding in the outdoor industry, with a deep focus on creating safe, thoughtful, and transformative learning environments.

Ryan’s passion for freediving began after taking his first course while visiting the Island of Hawai’i. What started as curiosity quickly became a deep connection to the meditative and introspective nature of breath hold diving. The experience of slowing down, turning inward, and moving through the underwater world with intention continues to shape both his personal practice and his approach to teaching.

As a certified instructor through Freediving Instructors International, Ryan has trained extensively and worked closely with Martin Stepanek, founder of FII and one of the most respected figures in modern freediving. This mentorship has strongly influenced Ryan’s instructional philosophy, emphasizing strong fundamentals, clear communication, a sound understanding of human physiology, and a deep respect for safety.

Ryan teaches freediving as a process of skill and technique development rather than a pursuit of depth or performance. His instruction focuses on technique, relaxation, awareness, and confidence, helping students build a foundation that supports long term progression across a variety of environments, from cold water training in the Pacific Northwest to warmer locations.

While Ryan’s roots are in the mountains and rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, freediving has become a powerful extension of his connection to the natural world. He sees the underwater environment as a place for personal growth, presence, and self discovery, and strives to share that experience with his students in an accessible and supportive way.

Outside of freediving, Ryan is part of a loving family and a proud parent. He is also a practicing glass artist who teaches beginning glass blowing at Pratt Fine Art Center. Across all areas of his life, Ryan believes that a life guided by curiosity, creativity, and intentional practice leads to meaningful growth, both in and out of the water.

Benjamin McElroy FII #276

Assistant Instructor, Renssant Freedive Seattle

While I grew up kayaking and snorkeling, my pathway to freediving was a roundabout one. After pursuing a career in structural engineering, I realized I’d lost the joy in my life and my health was rapidly declining. So I quit, traveled for a year, and discovered that returning to the open water was key to reversing my trajectory. As soon as my face plunges beneath the water, the world fades away and the internal awareness I feel in just a two-minute dive is akin to an hour of meditation. I love all aspects of freediving and my goal as an instructor is to help students find which aspects connect with them while also preparing them with the skills and knowledge that I’d trust my loved ones to dive with them. Any day in the water is a good day!

Why Fii?

We are proud to represent Freediving Instructors International (FII) as our certifying agency. FII is the first and only recreational freediving education agency headquartered in the United States and is globally recognized for upholding some of the highest safety and instructional standards in the sport. 

At Renssant Freedive Seattle, we teach FII because its training philosophy closely aligns with our own: safety first, followed by technique, awareness, and thoughtful decision making underwater. FII’s curriculum is designed to help students build a strong foundation that supports confidence, long-term progression, and safe exploration in a variety of aquatic environments.

FII was founded by Martin Stepanek, a 13 time freediving world record holder and one of the pioneers of modern freediving education. Martin’s competitive career included multiple world records, including becoming the first person to exceed 400 feet (122 meters) in Constant Weight with a monofin. He has worked closely, and continues to work closely, with physiological researchers to deepen the understanding of how the human body adapts to breath hold diving. His vision for freediving education led to the creation of Freediving Instructors International’s standardized, safety focused certification system, which reflects decades of experience, scientific insight, and practical teaching methodology.

One of the strengths of training through FII is its global network of instructors and students. While working toward certification, FII divers have the ability to train with any FII instructor around the world, continue their education, and participate in a wide community of freedivers who share knowledge, experiences, and ongoing learning opportunities. This global framework gives Renssant Freedive Seattle students broader access to continued growth beyond their initial certification or location.

By teaching through FII, we offer students a globally recognized certification that supports safe, progressive freediving development and connects them to a thriving worldwide freediving community.