RYAN RUSH – PROFESSIONAL FREEDIVER, SPEARFISHING INSTRUCTOR, COMMERCIAL SPEARO, CONSERVATIONIST, AND FOUNDER OF SAVAGE DIVING
Ryan Rush is a Master Freedive Instructor, commercial spearfisherman, underwater filmmaker, and USCG captain who has trained thousands of students in Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. He is known for safe and professional freediving courses, spearfish training, bluewater charters, and ocean-based programs that help veterans and recovering individuals rebuild confidence, discipline, and mental strength through the water.
Ryan operates Savage Diving Academy with professional freedive instruction, private coaching, competitions, spearfishing retreats, depth training, and bluewater expeditions in some of the most remote and untouched locations in the world. Students train in St. Augustine Florida, Weeki Wachee Florida, and Long Island Bahamas with access to spring diving, offshore pelagics, wrecks, reefs, and deep blue water.
His teaching specializes in equalization, breath-work, blackout rescue skills, psychology of fear and stress underwater, and real-world safety that every diver needs. Ryan has dedicated his life to building safer and smarter divers who respect the ocean.
As a commercial spearfisherman, he brings real-life experience to his courses. Students learn from someone who actively hunts, travels, and works offshore. No theories, no exaggerated claims. Just proven knowledge, measurable results, and real-world experience in the water.
Ryan leads spearfishing and freediving retreats, ocean education workshops, and international spearfishing tournaments that attract divers from around the world. His expeditions operate in remote, pristine waters and focus on trophy pelagic and exotic reef species. These experiences are intentionally limited to small groups, combining expert instruction with true adventure in crystal-clear ocean environments.
Beyond instruction and charters, Ryan created programs focused on mental health and recovery through the ocean. Operation Apnea is designed for military veterans who benefit from the therapeutic and physical challenges of freediving and spearfishing. Through breath work, ocean exposure, teamwork, and confidence-building, veterans find purpose, connection, and new skills.
He also founded Dive Out Of Addiction, a groundbreaking ocean-based addiction recovery program focused on freediving, conservation, physical fitness, underwater breath control, and mental resilience. This program helps individuals rebuild confidence and discipline while contributing to ocean conservation and reef cleanup.
Ryan is the Vice President of Sea Star Environmental Inc., a nonprofit focused on reef research, fish counts, lionfish removal, artificial reef placement, community outreach, and environmental education. Instead of talking about ocean conservation, his organization actively does the work.
He is also a professional underwater filmmaker, capturing slow-motion freediving and marine life content that promotes education and ocean respect. His zen-style underwater media is growing rapidly online and used for relaxation, therapy, meditation, and conservation awareness.
Ryan Rush has spent his life in the ocean. From professional freediving courses, spearfish training, veteran dive programs, addiction recovery through diving, conservation work, filmmaking, and international expeditions, his mission is simple: create safer and stronger ocean athletes while giving back to the waters that built his career.
For course bookings, retreats, tournaments, and expeditions inquiries, please reach out to Ryan.