Meet your
Instructors
Luke & Benji
Two different characters, one shared approach: relaxed, safe, curious and ego-free.
"This project represents more than training — it is about creating a space where people can discover freediving and grow within a community."
Connection, Not Competition
Gozo Freedivers was born from a shared love for the sea, but its story started years earlier.
Benji first met Luke as a student around 2020. Luke was already deeply rooted in Malta’s freediving community, teaching through presence, stories and years of experience in the water. For Benji, those first lessons changed freediving from something measured in depth into something much wider: a practice of relaxation, awareness and surrender.
What began as teacher and student slowly became friendship, collaboration and a shared vision. Over the years, Luke and Benji worked together on courses, retreats and freediving experiences around Malta and Gozo.
In 2026, that shared vision became Gozo Freedivers: a centre built around safe training, honest community, respect for the ocean and the slower rhythm of life on Gozo.
A Philosophy for Every Kind of Freediver
Freediving speaks to different parts of different people.
For the spearo, it is patience, instinct and respect.
For the explorer, it is curiosity and the pull of the unknown.
For the athlete, it is training, technique and progression.
For the spiritual seeker, it is stillness, surrender and breath.
Be Water is our way of holding all of that. It is an invitation to stay fluid, to listen more closely and to follow what freediving means to you without forcing it into one shape.
For us, freediving is not only about how deep you go. It is about how fully you experience each dive.
The Spearo
Archetype 01
Patient, selective and skilled. Rooted in local knowledge and genuine respect for marine life.
The Explorer
Archetype 02
Wrecks, walls and the reach of clear water. Adventure diving around Gozo, Comino and beyond.
The Athlete
Archetype 03
Depth, breath-hold and the rope as measure. Structured progression for certified divers.
The Spiritual
Archetype 04
The space between what’s on the surface and whatever lies below. Stillness, breath and a connection to Gozo’s spirit.
Freedom of movement
Hey! I'm Benji and I love being in the water. The freedom of movement, the silence and especially the curiosity I have for it has remained unchanged since my childhood. Growing up in Malta, the sea was like another planet. I would be amazed how the outside world would shut out when I was underwater. I would remain still and let the fish become curious about me. I was also a very natural swimmer.. proud of my webbed toes, claiming I was a dolphin in a previous life. I would challenge anyone in the water and win. I had no idea what freediving or spearfishing was, my only experience being harvesting sea urchins with my father.
I first discovered freediving through my friend Jon. Jon and I were both ex-competitive swimmers, tired of pool training and sharing the same spirit for adventure. We began going for long open water swims, picking a corner of the island and swimming along it. I remember being terrified when I couldn't see the bottom, Jon meanwhile poking fun and wondering why I was so scared. He grew up spearfishing, so this was normal for him. We also had a shared interest in meditation, Jon explaining that freediving wasn't far off from this. The seed was planted.
The following summer, I signed up for my first freediving course, with Master Luke as my guide. The way Luke taught freediving, through stories and anecdotes, sparked this kid-like curiosity in me I hadn't felt for a long-time. To this day, I still enjoy tuning into his lessons. Freediving inspired me as a lifestyle as much as it did a sport. It also gave my ego a very healthy challenge, having to break through years of competitive spirit before understanding what it means to surrender. When it finally clicked, I was hooked.
Deep down, I knew I wanted to become an instructor, but there were many stones I had to turn over until I was sure of it. So I quit my day job and took off solo-travelling. I worked on farms, learned Spanish, guided people on volcano hikes, lived in the rainforest, volunteered, surfed... This journey lasted well over 2 years, yet every summer I returned to Gozo and inched my way down the freediving rope, with Luke as my main instructor, until finally deciding to become an instructor myself.
Ever since then, Luke and I have collaborated on freediving courses, retreats and other freediving related events. Still working in Accounting, I eventually decided to take the plunge in early 2026 to fully focus on Freediving 🙂 Freediving has very much become my philosophy for life, and I look forward to sharing this with you!
A lifetime in these waters.
My connection with the sea began early. When I was around five years old, my father gave me my first spear sling — a moment I still remember as one of the happiest days of my childhood. He taught me not only how to use it safely, but also something far more important: respect for the ocean and appreciation for the food it provides. Growing up in a Maltese family with a small boat, most of my summers were spent at sea, often spearfishing from sunrise until sunset.
As a child, I was mesmerised by skilled spearfishers and films that captured the magic of breath-hold diving. I dreamed of staying underwater for minutes, diving deeper, and moving freely like a dolphin. Years later, I can honestly say that dream became reality.
In 2009, after returning to Malta from a five-year personal and spiritual journey abroad, I naturally gravitated back to the sea while teaching meditation. Together with a close group of friends, I discovered modern freediving — and quickly became completely absorbed by it. What began as passion soon evolved into purpose.
Not long after, I helped establish the Malta Freediving Club, where I continue to serve as president, promoting safe practice and growing awareness of the sport across the islands. In 2012, I met my good friend and former freediving world champion Jesper Stechmann, and a few years later we co-founded the first dedicated freediving centre operating in Malta and Gozo. Eventually, driven by a clear vision of how I wanted to teach and share the experience, I created my own centre: Freediver Malta & Gozo.
Teaching has always been at the heart of what I do. For me, freediving is far more than a sport — it is a lifestyle and a path of personal discovery. Students often arrive seeking depth or performance, but leave with something deeper: calmness, confidence, and a stronger connection with themselves and the ocean. Influenced by my years studying meditation in Asia, I also integrate mindfulness and breath awareness into my teaching, and continue offering meditation sessions supporting people dealing with stress-related conditions.
In 2017, we organised Malta's first freediving competition, where I competed in Free Immersion, winning a gold medal and setting a national record at 42 metres. Since opening our centre in Dwejra, freediving has steadily grown in popularity throughout the Maltese Islands — a natural evolution for a destination long loved by divers from around the world.
I first met Benji around 2020 when he joined as a student. From the very beginning, it was clear that he had a natural talent for freediving. What stood out most was the way he fully immersed himself in the learning process — absorbing every detail, applying the principles immediately in practice, and progressing with remarkable speed. His intuitive understanding of freediving techniques and philosophy made a strong impression on me.
What began as curiosity quickly grew into a true passion. Benji became deeply committed to the sport, eventually making the bold decision to shift his direction in life and pursue freediving professionally. In time, he became a freediving instructor himself, bringing the same dedication, sensitivity, and enthusiasm to his own teaching.
Over the years we remained close and collaborated frequently, sharing experiences, training, and a common vision for the future of freediving. In 2026, that shared vision has taken a new step forward. Together, we have decided not only to continue working side by side, but to build something meaningful: a strong and supportive freediving community in Gozo.
This project represents more than training or courses — it is about creating a space where people can discover freediving, deepen their connection with the ocean, and grow within a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. Our journey in 2026 marks the beginning of this new chapter, with the aim of helping freediving continue to grow and flourish in Gozo.
Over the years, what began as a small personal project has grown organically through passion, community, and word of mouth. Each season has brought more students, more returning divers, and deeper experiences shared at sea. Today, the journey continues to evolve, and 2026 marks an exciting new chapter as the school expands its offerings, experiences, and team — allowing us to welcome more people into the world of freediving while staying true to the personal, authentic approach that started it all.
Above all, my goal remains simple: to help others feel safe, relaxed, and at home in the water — and to share the same sense of wonder the sea has given me since childhood.
Personality made practical.
The way Luke and Benji teach isn't a method — it's who they are in the water. These things show up in every session, regardless of your level.
Safety First
Every session planned around conditions, buddy protocols and personal limits. Not a checklist — a habit built over years.
Smooth Progression
No pressure to go deeper or quicker unless you feel ready. Depth follows relaxation and ease—not force!
MindfulnesS
Calm and aware, that’s our approach here. We practice mindfulness in our yoga and meditation sessions and carry it with us throughout the day.
Honest and Warm
Serious when needed, light when possible. Luke's quiet depth and Benji's warmth create an environment that is ego-free and genuinely memorable.
Students often arrive seeking depth or performance. Yet they leave with something more humble: A smile, a state of calm and a sense of connection with the sea and the community they dove with.
What people say after the dive.
Tell us your level, your dates and what brought you here.
We'll figure out the right next step together — no commitment needed.