New divers are often amazed at the sense of calm and peace they experience underwater. Freediving in particular offers an inspiring sense of accomplishment as you realize you're capable of much more than you thought possible. For certified freedivers looking to expand their training, we offer Advanced and Master classes to improve your breathhold time, explore new skills, hone your technique, and find fun, creative ways to enhance training thresholds.
Mermaiding connects you with the magic of the ocean in a whole new way. It embodies a sense of playfulness and personality as you interact with the underwater world. Our mermaiding courses and activities embrace the playful theatricality of mermaiding while enjoying the simplicity of being beneath the water's surface.
We are an inclusive community and all are welcome!
Our Story
Zephyr Diving was born with the goal of connecting others with the underwater world through Freediving, Scuba, and Mermaiding. In a world with ever-growing distractions and stressors, these underwater disciplines can be an amazing and rewarding way to rebalance, recenter and restore.
Jillian Blakkan-Strauss
Founder, PADI Course Director & Freediver/Mermaid Instructor Trainer
Jillian is passionate instructor of Freediving, Mermaiding, and Scuba Diving. Her heart is in the water and sharing it with others. She is a PADI Gold Course Director, PADI Freediver Instructor Trainer, PFI Freediver Instructor, PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, and DAN DFA Instructor Trainer. She is also a certified Cavern Diver, Technical Sidemount Diver, and PADI Tec 40 Diver. She one day hopes to progress to Cave Diver, and a bucket list item is ice diving!
Outside of diving, Jillian is a lover of the arts. She holds an MFA in Acting and Asian Performance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is a Meisner trained actor from the prestigious Maggie Flanigan Studio in New York City. Prior to her career in diving, she worked at UH Manoa as a professor of acting before transitioning into sales and events management. Jillian is also an avid distance runner and RRCA Running Coach, and enjoys running marathons during the cooler months.
When Jillian isn't in the water, you'll find her exploring Florida's hiking trails, paddle boarding, playing with her Cavachon Ollie, planning her next trip, and seeking out the best Mexican food wherever she finds herself!
Mike Winkles
PADI Course Director, Freediver Instructor, Photographer, PADI Ambassadiver
Mike is an avid scuba diver, freediver, photographer, and manatee lover. A Florda native, he grew up in an around the water, becoming a certified scuba diver when he was 12. He continued on to become a PADI Scuba Instructor and eventually a PADI Course Director in Crystal River, FL, where he also pioneered the PADI Manatee Diver Distinctive Specialty. He has also become highly involved in the Florida freediving community, and is now a PADI Freediver Instructor. Mike is a proud 2026 PADI Ambassadiver, advocating for diver education and growth across the globe.
Mike is an award-winning photographer whose underwater photos are frequently featured in tourism promotions, magazines, and social media campaigns. He loves playing with light beams and colors in the Florida Springs, particularly when friendly manatees come to say hello. He is a passionate advocate for the marine environment and uses his social media platforms to spread joy and awareness about the underwater world.
When Mike isn't in the water, you'll find him paddle boarding in the Florida Springs, kayak camping, exploring a new adventure spot, or hopping on a plane with Jillian for their next adventure.
Ollie
Administrative Assistant
Ollie, while initially afraid of ocean waves, is now a huge water lover, particularly the water in his aunt's pool. A champion sprint-distance doggie paddler, he prefers to have a trusted human by his side in the water. Out of the water, he keeps things on a tight schedule, particularly when it comes to dinner time and outdoor walks.
Likes: Collecting leaves, peanut butter, weekends at the lake
Dislikes: Balloons, being startled
Skills: Silent Barking, Fetch, Intimidation, Receiving Belly Rubs
Nicknames: Ollivander, Olliwog, Ollipop
Full Name: Oliver Jackson Worthington Winkles Blakkan-Strauss
Choose Your Next Adventure
PADI Freediver Courses
Take your first breaths into Freediving or continue your Training. We offer group and private PADI Freediver classes, with a focus on students looking to begin their freediving journey or hone their techniques after their first course.
Group classes are kept small to ensure individual attention.
Travel
Join us for an adventure you'll never forget! Explore our upcoming trips to places near and far, and dive in waters across the globe.
We have experiences for certified freedivers and scuba divers, as well as those looking to wet their gills for the first time with an initial certification course!
