From 1984 to 1997 he was a competitive
monofin swimmer (
finswimmer) (distances 50m and 100m). Martin's academic background follows a degree in Forestry Engineering with advanced studies in Sports Biology at the
Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. After moving to the
United States he became USA Certified as a Deep Sea and Saturation Commercial Diver in May 1999. In 2000 Martin met Douglas Peterson, who went on to become his freediving coach and mentor, guiding him to his first World Record in July 2001. Since then, Martin continued to set freediving world records annually up to his retirement from competitive freediving in 2012. He is now recognized as one of the pioneers of modern freediving education.
Martin was on hand during
David Blaine's "Drowned Alive" stunt in
Lincoln Center in May 2006. Blaine was attempting to
hold his breath (known as "apnea") long enough to break the current world record of eight minutes, fifty-eight seconds.[1]
Martin is the founder of
Freediving Instructors International (F.I.I.) the largest[according to whom?] freediving education agency in the United States. He is an advisory board member of
DiveWise a non-profit organization dedicated to freediver education and safety and celebrity supporter of Oceana.[2]
In May 2009, utilizing only his monofin for propulsion, Martin became the first man to dive over 400 feet (120 m) on a single breath of air.
From 1984 to 1997 he was a competitive
monofin swimmer (
finswimmer) (distances 50m and 100m). Martin's academic background follows a degree in Forestry Engineering with advanced studies in Sports Biology at the
Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. After moving to the
United States he became USA Certified as a Deep Sea and Saturation Commercial Diver in May 1999. In 2000 Martin met Douglas Peterson, who went on to become his freediving coach and mentor, guiding him to his first World Record in July 2001. Since then, Martin continued to set freediving world records annually up to his retirement from competitive freediving in 2012. He is now recognized as one of the pioneers of modern freediving education.
Martin was on hand during
David Blaine's "Drowned Alive" stunt in
Lincoln Center in May 2006. Blaine was attempting to
hold his breath (known as "apnea") long enough to break the current world record of eight minutes, fifty-eight seconds.[1]
Martin is the founder of
Freediving Instructors International (F.I.I.) the largest[according to whom?] freediving education agency in the United States. He is an advisory board member of
DiveWise a non-profit organization dedicated to freediver education and safety and celebrity supporter of Oceana.[2]
In May 2009, utilizing only his monofin for propulsion, Martin became the first man to dive over 400 feet (120 m) on a single breath of air.