Freddy – Scuba Diving Expert, Owner & Founder of Leviathan Scuba
Heritage and Early Ambition
Freddy's lifelong passion for the underwater world began in 1971, when he became the youngest certified scuba diver in California at age 11. He was deeply influenced by the "Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau," "Sea Hunt," and his grandfather, a pioneering Navy frogman who set world records by reaching depths of 350 and 500 feet. On his very first ocean dive at Catalina Island, he encountered a small Great White shark but felt no fear because the movie Jaws had not yet been released. Freddy eventually joined the Navy as a Gunner’s Mate, following in his grandfather's footsteps and later managing a dive locker to stay connected to his passion.
Freddy reflects on his Navy heritage and early inspirations.
Trials at Depth
Experience in the deep often comes with danger. At age 13, Freddy faced a harrowing ordeal when he ran out of air at 70 feet. He shot toward the surface and passed out before being rescued, though his regulator luckily remained in his mouth. Today, he views such incidents as learning experiences, noting that his extensive training allows him to handle similar situations at depths of up to 90 feet without panic.
"Scariest Dive": A recount of a near-fatal childhood incident.
Owning the Industry
Freddy’s path back to diving was reignited by a Caribbean cruise after an eight-year hiatus, leading him to eventually purchase Coral Key Scuba in Colorado. He famously told the retiring owner to "show me the money". Freddy acknowledges the financial struggles of the industry, often joking that to make a million dollars in diving, one must start with two million. Despite this, his goal remains helping nervous beginners discover the sport and ensuring divers have access to quality equipment rather than "junk" gear.
The realities of running a dive center in a landlocked state.
The "Badass" Standard
The Leviathan Scuba YouTube channel was born from frustration over a pair of defective flip-flops in the Bahamas that kept breaking. This led Freddy to create a standardized review system known as the BA (Badass) Scale. The scale ranges from 1 ("Don't even think about it") to 10 ("Badass"). Freddy maintains absolute integrity by refusing manufacturer money, ensuring his "truthful opinion" remains unbiased. Gear is evaluated based on Cool Factor, Features, Function, Quality, Durability, and Value.
How the BA Scale serves as a quality control for the industry.
Surreal Discoveries
Among his "coolest" memories is a spontaneous beach dive in Egypt where he discovered the sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s Palace, including sphinxes and statues, sitting near the harbor. Another surreal experience occurred in Florida, where he dove the flooded Ichetucknee River. He recalls swimming through pine trees and seeing flowers in full bloom underwater while sitting on porta-potties in flooded buildings.
"Your Coolest Dive": From ancient palaces to flooded forests.
Global Reach and Local Impact
Freddy names Raja Ampat as his favorite location, comparing it to "Jurassic Park" because of its untouched biodiversity. Conversely, he lists Cancun as his least favorite due to the environmental damage caused by high tourist density and sunblock. Leviathan Scuba operates as a "friend in the dive industry," donating 10% of proceeds to food banks and conservation efforts. Freddy also participates in citizen science, including shark tagging and research with the vessel Finns Attached.
Travel insights and the environmental impact of tourism.
