Hey all,
Great to find out about this forum today. Been on other for a while and this one seems to be a lot more personable rather than people flaming eachother.
Anyway,
I live here in Sarasota, FL on the gulf coast and have been snorkeling most of my life and it wasn't until about 6 months ago I really got into freediving.I am still a beginner and I am going to the F.I.I Academy next month and I am really excited about it. I have been spearing here and there growing up but now I am ready to be trained to freedive and shoot something worth writing home about if you know what I mean.
Like I said earlier I think I am still a beginner but right now my static is 4 min with only a depth of 75ft, and that's with blue lips coming back up 
I don't know what I stand on the experience field but its better than before.
I have always loved the water and the sport, No, more of a drug, freediving and spearing has grown my passion even more. I struggle with this constant feeling of knowing I COULD be out on the water but instead the ties of everyday life hold me back. That and not having anyone to dive with in the area or having a boat 
is depressing sometimes because I am always willing to do some sort of dive whether it be shore kayak or whatever, I have nobody to share my passion with.
Some day I will be on an island living with no care in the world. Just me, My wife, and a speargun. OH the life haha
Anyway look forward to reading about many experiences and hopefully sharing a few of my own.