The Team
Who We Are
Niro Cohen
Founder & Main Instructor
Niro is the heart behind Freediving Sri Lanka a passionate freediver, calm teacher, and certified AIDA/Apnea international Instructor Trainer. With years of experience in the water, he’s trained everyone from curious first-timers to future instructors.
His teaching style is relaxed, clear, and always student-focused. Niro believes freediving is about more than just depth it’s about connection: to the ocean, to your breath, and to yourself.
if you’re looking to dive deeper or become a professional, Niro will guide you with patience, skill, and a good dose of ocean love.
Laura Danial
Founder, Head of Marketing & Yoga Instructor
Laura is a freediver and the creative force behind Freediving Sri Lanka. As the founder and Head of Marketing, she combines her passion for the ocean with a deep commitment to wellness, bringing a unique blend of creativity and calm to our team.
When she's not crafting our story, Laura leads yoga sessions that focus on breath, balance, and relaxation perfect for freedivers seeking to connect mind and body both in and out of the water.
Gary J Skitterall
Instructor & Safety Expert
Gary brings years of hands-on experience as a freediving instructor and safety diver, working alongside some of the world’s top athletes.
He’s all about helping you build skill and confidence in a safe, supportive way, whether you're just starting out or training for depth. His calm, focused approach makes every dive feel both empowering and fun.
Shiran Shitrit
Freediving & Scuba Instructor
Shiran is a certified freediving and scuba instructor with over a decade of experience. She’s passionate about helping people feel confident and calm in the water, whether it's refining technique or simply learning to trust the ocean.
She also leads Residual Volume (RV) workshops that combine breathwork, flexibility, and nervous system regulation creating a space where you can explore both depth and self-awareness at your own pace.
Tharindo Dodamgoda
Transport & Hostel owner
Tharindo is the friendly face behind all your transport and accommodation needs. He runs a local hostel and helps with everything from airport pickups to scooter rentals making sure your stay in Sri Lanka is smooth and stress-free.
Always helpful and easygoing, Tharindo is a big part of what makes our community feel like home.
Madushan Dodamgoda
Gear Master & Ocean Support
Madushan is the one quietly keeping everything in order behind the scenes. He takes care of all our freediving gear washing, organizing, and making sure everything is ready for your next session.
Thanks to his hard work and attention to detail, our equipment stays safe, clean, and dive-ready every day.
