Aquanautas

Life changes fast. We know it will, we plan for it to, but when it does, we never seem to be quite ready for it. Three weeks ago I was getting myself prepared to go to Cocos Island and explore a seamount never before seen with human eyes, trying to get the logistics worked out involving, scientists, submarines, cameramen, and my little brother (who’s Emerging Young Explorer status with National Geographic does not make him so little anymore). Fast forward to two days ago and I found myself behind a camera in the ghetto of Johannesburg, South Africa called Soweto, in a small smoke filled tin shack drinking home made beer around a wood “fire barrel” with twenty far from sober men. No, the submarine is not here in Africa with us. What has happened is that Rogue Studios has joined with Groupo Magento of Brazil to film a show called Aquanautas (Aquanauts). In the show the three characters (Tony, Ana Paula and myself) travel the world diving, sampling along the way all that we can of the local culture, food and natural environment. Hoping to show more than just how to travel and dive, the show has already focused several times on the environmental issues facing our worlds seas, and seems to be a great opportunity to simply teach people about the sites being visited. For now, the Cocos Island trip has been cancelled due to logistics. So to pick up the slack I have embarked on a new adventure that will lay before me the waters and coastlines of South Africa, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, Brazil, Egypt, Dijibuti, and who knows where else........ We will keep you updated. In the mean time here are a couple pictures of freediving Cocos last week.