Drag
0
/
0
day 3 freedive red gallery 8
day 3 freedive red gallery 7
day 3 freedive red gallery 6
day 3 freedive red gallery 5
day 3 freedive red gallery 4
day 3 freedive red gallery 3
day 3 freedive red gallery 2
day 3 freedive red gallery 1
day 3 freedive carousel 3
day 3 freedive carousel 2
day 3 freedive carousel 1 2
day 3 freedive carousel 1 1
day 3 freedive hero
3
 mins read

Day 3 underwater: venturing to False Bay

published
December 18, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving

Day 3 underwater: venturing to False Bay

Day 3 underwater: venturing to False Bay

published
December 18, 2022
location
SOUTH AFRICA
discipline
Freediving
3
 mins read
WORDS
11th Hour Racing
PHOTOS
Craig Kolesky & Sacha Specker

The final day of any shoot is always bittersweet, and ever is the case now – after today all we have left to film (for the full project) is our final interviews and powder day in New Zealand (we’ve been on standby for a while!). After eight great weeks of production, we’re nearly wrapped. We’re certainly ending on a high note. By the end of yesterday, everyone was on cloud nine and that excitement spilled over into today. This crew, bound by a connected love for the ocean, has been incredible to work with.

‍

Today, with the Atlantic Ocean side blown out by the wind, we headed to False Bay and Castle Rock; it was our only day filming on the western side of the Cape Peninsula. Until recently, these waters were a shark haven, but the sharks started avoiding False Bay after the orcas showed up.

Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
“This crew, bound by a connected love for the ocean, has been incredible to work with.”

Because we were filming in protected National Park waters, we had a park officer working with us for the day. With the sun forecasted to be out most of the day, our objective was to head to a few really unique spots to give our story that extra sparkle.

day 3 freedive carousel 1 2
day 3 freedive carousel 1 1
Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
Listen to Jack ...

The first stop of the day was a secret underwater air bubble within a cluster of rocks; the underwater bubble was like a shallow cave situated in a way that a unique air pocket had formed. The surface of the water was wild and wind whipped. As Dean, who was not wearing scuba gear, later explained, it took a lot of mental power to convince himself it was okay to dive in after Steve to see this cave.

“It’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene.”
day 3 freedive carousel 2

Zandi happily followed Steve but when she popped up into the cave she turned around with fright exclaiming the cave must be “voodoo magic.” Steve, Sacha, and Nick were able to convince Zandi that heading back under and breathing in the cave was perfectly fine but it took a minute or two. For the whole freediving shoot, it’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene. Zandi really leaned into this beautiful juxtaposition – on the surface Zandi is bubbly, but whilst freediving she is deeply focused and stoic.

“After three wild days of underwater filming, today’s location was a special place to end, and it really hit home that the world beneath the surface is a magical place.”

Zandi happily followed Steve but when she popped up into the cave she turned around with fright exclaiming the cave must be “voodoo magic.” Steve, Sacha, and Nick were able to convince Zandi that heading back under and breathing in the cave was perfectly fine but it took a minute or two. For the whole freediving shoot, it’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene. Zandi really leaned into this beautiful juxtaposition – on the surface Zandi is bubbly, but whilst freediving she is deeply focused and stoic.

Zandi happily followed Steve but when she popped up into the cave she turned around with fright exclaiming the cave must be “voodoo magic.” Steve, Sacha, and Nick were able to convince Zandi that heading back under and breathing in the cave was perfectly fine but it took a minute or two. For the whole freediving shoot, it’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene. Zandi really leaned into this beautiful juxtaposition – on the surface Zandi is bubbly, but whilst freediving she is deeply focused and stoic.

The second filming location was in and amongst the kelp forests – which resemble Dr. Seuss’ Truffula trees. For what felt like nearly an hour, Zandi swam amongst the kelp beds – weaving her way between the stripes of the Laminaria kelp. Laminaria kelp is one of the main species of kelp in South Africa and, due to their incredible heights, they act as a good place for marine life to take shelter.

Drag

We ended the day at Castle Rock – a special cove with turquoise waters and large boulders that resemble the iconic “Baths” of the British Virgin Islands. We had only a few essential pictures to grab so we didn’t spend too long here. The cove’s floor was covered with vibrant shells and sea urchins, with a few curious fish following the team to see what they were up to. After three wild days of underwater filming, today’s location was a special place to end, and it really hit home that the world beneath the surface is a magical place.

QUESTIONS
11th Hour Racing
ANSWERS
Craig Kolesky & Sacha Specker

The final day of any shoot is always bittersweet, and ever is the case now – after today all we have left to film (for the full project) is our final interviews and powder day in New Zealand (we’ve been on standby for a while!). After eight great weeks of production, we’re nearly wrapped. We’re certainly ending on a high note. By the end of yesterday, everyone was on cloud nine and that excitement spilled over into today. This crew, bound by a connected love for the ocean, has been incredible to work with.

‍

Today, with the Atlantic Ocean side blown out by the wind, we headed to False Bay and Castle Rock; it was our only day filming on the western side of the Cape Peninsula. Until recently, these waters were a shark haven, but the sharks started avoiding False Bay after the orcas showed up.

Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
No items found.
Keep exploring ...
4.17.2023
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
11.10.2023
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
8.17.2022
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
Listen to Jack ...

Because we were filming in protected National Park waters, we had a park officer working with us for the day. With the sun forecasted to be out most of the day, our objective was to head to a few really unique spots to give our story that extra sparkle.

“This crew, bound by a connected love for the ocean, has been incredible to work with.”

The first stop of the day was a secret underwater air bubble within a cluster of rocks; the underwater bubble was like a shallow cave situated in a way that a unique air pocket had formed. The surface of the water was wild and wind whipped. As Dean, who was not wearing scuba gear, later explained, it took a lot of mental power to convince himself it was okay to dive in after Steve to see this cave.

No items found.

Zandi happily followed Steve but when she popped up into the cave she turned around with fright exclaiming the cave must be “voodoo magic.” Steve, Sacha, and Nick were able to convince Zandi that heading back under and breathing in the cave was perfectly fine but it took a minute or two. For the whole freediving shoot, it’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene. Zandi really leaned into this beautiful juxtaposition – on the surface Zandi is bubbly, but whilst freediving she is deeply focused and stoic.

“It’s been incredible to see the difference between the world above the surface and the world below; even when the waves are choppy, life underneath is calm and serene.”

The second filming location was in and amongst the kelp forests – which resemble Dr. Seuss’ Truffula trees. For what felt like nearly an hour, Zandi swam amongst the kelp beds – weaving her way between the stripes of the Laminaria kelp. Laminaria kelp is one of the main species of kelp in South Africa and, due to their incredible heights, they act as a good place for marine life to take shelter.

No items found.

We ended the day at Castle Rock – a special cove with turquoise waters and large boulders that resemble the iconic “Baths” of the British Virgin Islands. We had only a few essential pictures to grab so we didn’t spend too long here. The cove’s floor was covered with vibrant shells and sea urchins, with a few curious fish following the team to see what they were up to. After three wild days of underwater filming, today’s location was a special place to end, and it really hit home that the world beneath the surface is a magical place.

“After three wild days of underwater filming, today’s location was a special place to end, and it really hit home that the world beneath the surface is a magical place.”
No items found.

The final day of any shoot is always bittersweet, and ever is the case now – after today all we have left to film (for the full project) is our final interviews and powder day in New Zealand (we’ve been on standby for a while!). After eight great weeks of production, we’re nearly wrapped. We’re certainly ending on a high note. By the end of yesterday, everyone was on cloud nine and that excitement spilled over into today. This crew, bound by a connected love for the ocean, has been incredible to work with.

‍

Today, with the Atlantic Ocean side blown out by the wind, we headed to False Bay and Castle Rock; it was our only day filming on the western side of the Cape Peninsula. Until recently, these waters were a shark haven, but the sharks started avoiding False Bay after the orcas showed up.

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.

Behind the Scenes

Latest stories

Nov 21, 2023
|
USA
|
Sailing
The power of subtle storytelling - with Amory Ross
9
 mins read
Nov 13, 2023
|
Canada
|
Skiing
How Mike Douglas transitioned from professional freeskier to adventure filmmaker
9
 mins read
Jul 24, 2023
|
NEW ZEALAND
|
Skiing
How to become an adventure filmmaker with Jase Hancox
6
 mins read
Jul 21, 2023
|
USA
|
Sailing
11th Hour Racing Team secures victory in The Ocean Race at the eleventh hour
6
 mins read
More Articles