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Day 2 underwater: alone in deep waters

Day 2 underwater: alone in deep waters

Day 2 underwater: alone in deep waters

3
 mins read
11th Hour Racing
Craig Kolesky & Sacha Specker

Last night Dean reviewed the footage and was surprised by how much we had achieved. Because Duiker Island has such rich biodiversity underwater, we were able to capture a wide variety of our storyboard without traveling far. Today, the plan was to head back to the island and focus on perfecting our shots and capturing the few remaining pictures before heading over to False Bay tomorrow.

“The trust between Zandi and the camera team (two videographers and two photographers) is incredible, especially considering that the group only met yesterday.”

The forecast called for rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon, with the swell increasing throughout the day. If the forecast stays true to the plan, tomorrow will be a total washout on the Atlantic side and the massive “storm of the winter” will hit mere hours after wrapping up in False Bay.

Pulling into the marina’s parking lot, it felt like the sun would never show. The clouds were low and gray; yesterday’s chilly wind was reaching up over the mountains and hammering us on the rib. Already it felt like it would be a long day on the boat.

The focus was to capture Zandi in deep water as well as recapture some of the magical moments with the playful Duiker Island seals. With a squeak of excitement, Zandi slipped into the water wearing her thin wetsuit and headed out to a buoy that the team had laid out for the day. We’re hoping to use the line of the buoy to match the mountaineering shot we worked with Jess on a few weeks ago. It’s interesting how each sport uses lines – it only underscores just how connected all three sports are, even though they may seem wildly different at first.

“Zandi spent significantly more time in the water than she did on day one – speaking to her true determination to make this project as stunning as possible.”

As mentioned earlier, the focus was to shoot Zandi alone in the deep water – easy enough on paper, but a little more challenging in reality when a wild seal habitat surrounds you! Seals are wonderfully curious (just like a puppy) so of course Zandi, in her electric blue suit with her vibrant braids, attracted an inquisitive little friend. For the entire first part of the shoot, roughly 45 minutes, a juvenile seal played with Zandi and the camera team – bobbing on the surface to watch, diving deep to twirl around Zandi, playfully nipping at the cameras. The seal was a bit cheeky but there appeared to be this harmonious dance happening between human and nature.

As mentioned earlier, the focus was to shoot Zandi alone in the deep water – easy enough on paper, but a little more challenging in reality when a wild seal habitat surrounds you! Seals are wonderfully curious (just like a puppy) so of course Zandi, in her electric blue suit with her vibrant braids, attracted an inquisitive little friend. For the entire first part of the shoot, roughly 45 minutes, a juvenile seal played with Zandi and the camera team – bobbing on the surface to watch, diving deep to twirl around Zandi, playfully nipping at the cameras. The seal was a bit cheeky but there appeared to be this harmonious dance happening between human and nature.

As mentioned earlier, the focus was to shoot Zandi alone in the deep water – easy enough on paper, but a little more challenging in reality when a wild seal habitat surrounds you! Seals are wonderfully curious (just like a puppy) so of course Zandi, in her electric blue suit with her vibrant braids, attracted an inquisitive little friend. For the entire first part of the shoot, roughly 45 minutes, a juvenile seal played with Zandi and the camera team – bobbing on the surface to watch, diving deep to twirl around Zandi, playfully nipping at the cameras. The seal was a bit cheeky but there appeared to be this harmonious dance happening between human and nature.

The trust between Zandi and the camera team (two videographers and two photographers) is incredible, especially considering that the group only met yesterday. The idea of “trust” is evident in how relaxed everyone is acting despite the challenging temperature (after all, we’re not diving in warm waters – the average temperature is 9°C or 48°F!). Zandi spent significantly more time in the water than she did on day one – each filming section was at least 30 minutes long – speaking to her true determination to make this project as stunning as possible. Not once has she wavered.

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We ended the day on a truly high note as we headed back in, with the sun now high in the sky, Steve pointed out a small rock “island” in the middle of the harbor affectionately called “whale rock.” Zandi said she was keen to climb up the mollusk-covered rock for one final shoot of the day. The result? A really unique perspective that gives Zandi the appearance of standing on water. A true little mermaid!

11th Hour Racing
Craig Kolesky & Sacha Specker

Last night Dean reviewed the footage and was surprised by how much we had achieved. Because Duiker Island has such rich biodiversity underwater, we were able to capture a wide variety of our storyboard without traveling far. Today, the plan was to head back to the island and focus on perfecting our shots and capturing the few remaining pictures before heading over to False Bay tomorrow.

No items found.

The forecast called for rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon, with the swell increasing throughout the day. If the forecast stays true to the plan, tomorrow will be a total washout on the Atlantic side and the massive “storm of the winter” will hit mere hours after wrapping up in False Bay.

“The trust between Zandi and the camera team (two videographers and two photographers) is incredible, especially considering that the group only met yesterday.”

Pulling into the marina’s parking lot, it felt like the sun would never show. The clouds were low and gray; yesterday’s chilly wind was reaching up over the mountains and hammering us on the rib. Already it felt like it would be a long day on the boat.

The focus was to capture Zandi in deep water as well as recapture some of the magical moments with the playful Duiker Island seals. With a squeak of excitement, Zandi slipped into the water wearing her thin wetsuit and headed out to a buoy that the team had laid out for the day. We’re hoping to use the line of the buoy to match the mountaineering shot we worked with Jess on a few weeks ago. It’s interesting how each sport uses lines – it only underscores just how connected all three sports are, even though they may seem wildly different at first.

As mentioned earlier, the focus was to shoot Zandi alone in the deep water – easy enough on paper, but a little more challenging in reality when a wild seal habitat surrounds you! Seals are wonderfully curious (just like a puppy) so of course Zandi, in her electric blue suit with her vibrant braids, attracted an inquisitive little friend. For the entire first part of the shoot, roughly 45 minutes, a juvenile seal played with Zandi and the camera team – bobbing on the surface to watch, diving deep to twirl around Zandi, playfully nipping at the cameras. The seal was a bit cheeky but there appeared to be this harmonious dance happening between human and nature.

“Zandi spent significantly more time in the water than she did on day one – speaking to her true determination to make this project as stunning as possible.”

The trust between Zandi and the camera team (two videographers and two photographers) is incredible, especially considering that the group only met yesterday. The idea of “trust” is evident in how relaxed everyone is acting despite the challenging temperature (after all, we’re not diving in warm waters – the average temperature is 9°C or 48°F!). Zandi spent significantly more time in the water than she did on day one – each filming section was at least 30 minutes long – speaking to her true determination to make this project as stunning as possible. Not once has she wavered.

No items found.

We ended the day on a truly high note as we headed back in, with the sun now high in the sky, Steve pointed out a small rock “island” in the middle of the harbor affectionately called “whale rock.” Zandi said she was keen to climb up the mollusk-covered rock for one final shoot of the day. The result? A really unique perspective that gives Zandi the appearance of standing on water. A true little mermaid!

No items found.

Last night Dean reviewed the footage and was surprised by how much we had achieved. Because Duiker Island has such rich biodiversity underwater, we were able to capture a wide variety of our storyboard without traveling far. Today, the plan was to head back to the island and focus on perfecting our shots and capturing the few remaining pictures before heading over to False Bay tomorrow.

No items found.
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