Freediving Coaches of Asia: Your Stepping Stone to a Diving Career
FCOA Inc. now SEC Registered as a non-profit organization
Diving is for Everybody!
Freediving Coaches Of Asia (FCOA) is a non-profit certification agency for freediving, scuba, sailing and climbing. We teach people from all walks of life to swim, dive, sail and climb and turn them into advocates for our environment. FCOA was founded in 2016 by Jeroen Elout, a Dutch National.
We operate mostly in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Uganda and Zambia. For those that are far from us: through Remote Verification Training (RVT), swim & dive training is available for anyone in the world with an internet connection at zero cost.
Be a member at FCOA and immerse yourself in a community that values active respect, continuous learning, and shared knowledge. Your journey from swimmer to certified coach starts here.
Our Missions Are:
To Teach ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY How to Survive at Sea
Did you know that 80% of the world's population cannot swim? That is over 6 billion people locked out of the beauty of the ocean—and tragically, it leads to over 300,000 preventable drownings every single year. At FCOA, we believe that water confidence is a fundamental human right. Our mission is to transform these statistics by training patient, safety-first coaches who can turn non-swimmers into confident ocean protectors.
To Teach Diving Because Those That Get To Love the Ocean and Will Take Care of It
You protect what you love. At FCOA, we don't just teach you how to dive—we help you build a deep, personal connection with the sea. By learning to love the ocean firsthand, our coaches and students naturally become its fiercest protectors and caretakers.
To Train Coaches, So That When They go Home They Also Teach Their Family and Friends How To Survive and Dive
Knowledge is meant to be shared. We train our coaches to practical standards that allow them to teach with confidence in a relaxed, fun and safe way. Together, we are building a global network of lifesavers, one community at a time.
Our Vision
To empower our 20% swimming population to teach swimming to the 80% that still has to learn it.
To foster respect for life. Respect for fellow humans, for animals, for nature in general and for our personal well-being, own mind and health.
To identify destructive habits—both in aquatic safety and daily life—and systematically replace them with progressive, constructive behaviors that promote long-term success.
What Differentiates Us from Other Freediving Organizations?
From day one, we instill a coaching mindset. Guided by our motto, 'What you learn today, be ready to teach it tomorrow', our students are immediately immersed in real teaching opportunities and collaborative peer learning. Since 2016, we have served as a trusted stepping stone into the diving industry, helping many of our graduates turn their passion for diving into a full-time livelihood.
Currently, we have coaches and divers operating worldwide at locations in India, Uganda, Zambia, and in the Seychelles. In the Philippines, we have coaches in Mabini Batangas, Pagkilatan Batangas, Puerto Galera, Bicol, Iloilo, Zambales, Cebu, Ilocos and Pangasinan
Our organization advocates for marine conservation and protection. We host clean-up dives to fulfill our vision of living in a world with a clean and healthy ocean and conserving our home planet.
Our Regional Freediving Communities
FCOA follows the International Standard ISO 24803 for Recreational diving services.
FCOA-PH (Freediving Coaches of Asia Philippines Incorporated) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the Philippines as a Non-Profit organization since June 9, 2023 and currently being lead by President Haze Galos
FCOA-INDIA (Asian Freediving Pioneers Association) is registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in India since October 17, 2024, and currently has 2 directors: President Dhvinay Vinod and Secretary Ramkumar Rajesh
FCOA-ZAMBIA (Registration in Progress by Esther Piri and Maysen Likonge)
Aqua line / FCOA UGANDA (Registration in Progress by Sanusu Businge)
FCOA-INTERNATIONAL (Registration in the USA in progress by Jeroen Elout and Jacob Jose)
Registration and contact details
Freediving Coaches of Asia Philippines Inc is SEC registered as a non-profit organization.
Sec registration number:2023060102931-26
Fastest reply on WhatsApp 09174489590
Contactus@fcoa-ph.org
Physical office Address: FCOA Calapan, Butong Beach, San Antonio, Calapan City 5200 Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
FCOA Calapan offers all our available courses. Most collaborators start in Calapan before they go to other FCOA outlets.
For Financial Transparency:
Since we often get asked how FCOA manages it's finances: So far our organization has been able to operate and grow thanks to the help and generosity of its members and thanks to the fact that swim and dive training can get conducted at very little cost since we have the ocean next to our doorstep. We have a minimalistic mindset, this is good for our planet and good for our wallet.
The Vegan Advantage:
FCOA encourages their members to experiment with plant based diets.
Transitioning to a plant based diet offers well-documented health, environmental, and ethical benefits. It can aid in weight management, lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and reduce one's carbon footprint.
Research points to several specific advantages across multiple areas:
1. Health & Wellness
Heart Health: Vegan diets are typically free of dietary cholesterol and lower in saturated fats, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Disease Prevention: Plant-based diets are heavily linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers (especially gastrointestinal cancers) and type 2 diabetes.
Weight Management: Plant foods are generally lower in calories and higher in fiber, making it easier to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy body mass index.
Better Digestion: High fiber intake promotes a healthy gut microbiome, preventing constipation and improving overall digestive regularity.
Reduced Inflammation: A whole-food vegan diet lowers inflammatory markers (like C-reactive protein), which can ease joint pain and relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Increased Vitality: Many people report higher daily energy levels and improved skin clarity (often called the "vegan glow") due to a rich intake of vitamins and antioxidants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Lower Carbon Footprint: Animal agriculture is a leading driver of greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet significantly reduces your personal carbon footprint.
Resource Conservation: Plant-based diets require vastly less fresh water and land compared to meat-heavy diets.
Reduced Deforestation: Decreasing the demand for meat helps reduce the destruction of vital habitats (like the Amazon) that are cleared for livestock grazing and soy production.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Prevents Animal Suffering: Eliminating animal products reduces the demand for factory farming, sparing animals from crowded, inhumane conditions and slaughter.
Combats Global Hunger: A large portion of the world's grain and soy crops are grown to feed livestock. Shifting to direct plant consumption is a more efficient use of calories and can help address global food insecurity.
DIETARY AWARENESS
For detailed tips on ensuring nutritional adequacy (such as getting enough Vitamin B12 and iron), you can check out the NHS Vegan Diet Guide. To explore the broader impacts of plant-based living, visit The Vegan Society.
