It’s hard to describe swimming with seals for hours on end in their natural habitat. Sure, we’re used to seeing them in aquariums or in photographs… but seeing them underwater in their natural habitat is quite surreal. First off, they are truly pup like – quite playful, very curious, entertaining, and temperamental. Because of this, it’s hard not to project our own dog experiences on the sea creature, but we were constantly reminded that the seals on Duiker Island are very wild animals.
3
mins read
Day 1 underwater: making friends with seals
published
December 22, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving
Day 1 underwater: making friends with seals
Day 1 underwater: making friends with seals
published
December 22, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving
3
mins read
Steve Benjamin
“The water is very cold. If degrees were lions, I’d have seven and you would only have two. Two is not a lot of lions!”
Watching the seals interacting with Zandi freediving was an experience that would warm even the coldest of hearts. The seals of Duiker Island in Hout Bay have a healthy population with minimal predators (even the great whites feed elsewhere) and a thriving sense of curiosity. As Zandi swam through kelp forests and in the open ocean, seals followed and danced around her. They playfully chased after her, only pausing to stare at the production team.
day 1 freedive carousel 1 2
day 1 freedive carousel 1 1
Unlike the other two shoots, this production was done entirely out of sight. On the boat and on the surface, it was calm and quiet. However, beneath the surface was an all-encompassing production with an athlete, two cameramen, and two photographers – all of whom are legends in Cape Town.
With the director on the boat, it meant unwavering trust was required from everyone involved, and Dean knew there was no better team for the job. By the end of the day, all comms were dialed in and there was a nice rhythm to the shoot: dive, get warm, recover, dive, repeat.
day 1 freedive carousel 2
As Steve eloquently explained to Zandi: “The water is very cold. If degrees were lions, I’d have seven and you would only have two. Two is not a lot of lions!”
Over the course of the time on the water, we shot in three central locations: the kelp forests, an area we nicknamed “barcode forest,” and amongst the seals. It’s wild to think that in such a small area we could check off so much of the shoot – it was almost like playing in your backyard and discovering a new wonder every time. Duiker Island alone cemented the choice for shooting in this beautifully wild country.
Drag
It’s hard to describe swimming with seals for hours on end in their natural habitat. Sure, we’re used to seeing them in aquariums or in photographs… but seeing them underwater in their natural habitat is quite surreal. First off, they are truly pup like – quite playful, very curious, entertaining, and temperamental. Because of this, it’s hard not to project our own dog experiences on the sea creature, but we were constantly reminded that the seals on Duiker Island are very wild animals.
No items found.
Watching the seals interacting with Zandi freediving was an experience that would warm even the coldest of hearts. The seals of Duiker Island in Hout Bay have a healthy population with minimal predators (even the great whites feed elsewhere) and a thriving sense of curiosity. As Zandi swam through kelp forests and in the open ocean, seals followed and danced around her. They playfully chased after her, only pausing to stare at the production team.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
It’s hard to describe swimming with seals for hours on end in their natural habitat. Sure, we’re used to seeing them in aquariums or in photographs… but seeing them underwater in their natural habitat is quite surreal. First off, they are truly pup like – quite playful, very curious, entertaining, and temperamental. Because of this, it’s hard not to project our own dog experiences on the sea creature, but we were constantly reminded that the seals on Duiker Island are very wild animals.
No items found.
Previously unseen
ABOUT THE PROJECT
To highlight the connection between water and sports, we’ve brought together an internationally renowned freediver, a world champion freeskier, and professional offshore sailing team. Like water, these athletes move in unison with their mind, body, and the present moment. Together, these athletes bring to life their fullest expressions– like water, they flow.
ABOUT THE TEAM
We chose athletes who are not only the best at what they do but also align with 11th Hour Racing’s mission to protect and restore the ocean. We hired local storytelling teams who are also some of the best in the world. Each part of the production was carefully considered to come together as one holistic story.
