Andy TorbetMarch 2017 | Andy Torbet

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March 28, 2017

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Coming out of lockdown like... . Conversely in rea

Coming out of lockdown like...
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Conversely in reality I'll be going back to doing exactly this when things start easing for us here in the UK on 12th April.
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The list of things I both want and need to get down for work, training and personal projects in 2021 is growing as the time left to us diminishes.
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Last last 9 months of 2021 are going to be busy....I'm making a list and checking it twice...
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #tight #tightspot #rockandahardplace #lockdownlife #stunts #stuntman #water #aqua

Most freediving shots on IG are in still, clear, w

Most freediving shots on IG are in still, clear, warm waters. But the sea is not always so benign, especially in the UK in Winter.
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But that doesn't mean it's any less fun.
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Just as a winter walk provides a very different landscape and experience from the same walk in summer diving in spot changes with the sea.
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The post-stormy seas offer a chance to play in the rolling waves and surf and amogst the champagne waters surging through cracks in the coast.
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...and you tedn to find yourself laughing a lot more...
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Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver (who managed to play in the maelstrom and not break his camera).
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#freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #surf #waves #wave #sea #ocean

The 12th of April in the UK is ever closer and I t

The 12th of April in the UK is ever closer and I think that will be a significant day for me as it opens up greater scope for getting back to working on projects in the sea, air and rock.
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My local DZ is opening from the 14th I hope so, if I'm not away, I'll be celebrating in the best way possible - hanging out (of a plane) with friends.
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I've always said that voluntarily throwing yourself out an aeroplane has to be one of the ultimate expressions of freedom.
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Photo by (I think...there was quite a few of us hanging out of this plane) @@life.of.richie
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#fun #friends #community #optimism #betterdays #skydiving #skydiver #skydive #philosophy #life #lessonsfromtheedge #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #parachute #parachuting #freefall #sky #tandem

Freediving inside a cave with a plastic bag taped

Freediving inside a cave with a plastic bag taped around your hand is not normal freediving practice.
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However, anything I have done which involved my friend @doctorchrisvt has always been a little strange and usually unpleasant...for me.
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In this instance we swam with monitors on our fingers to record blood oxygen levels (hence the waterproog bags). He then surfaced inside an airbell inside the cave while I remained outside, still holding my breath, and allowed him to stick me with a needle (multiple times) to take a blood sample.
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His ideas always involve some kind of physical torture. But at least they're never dull.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling @scubadivingmag @scubadiving @fathomlesslife @divingphoto @redbulluk @redbulletin @scubadiverlife #experiment ment #medical

Cave Diving isn't always through huge, clear caver

Cave Diving isn't always through huge, clear caverns...especially not in the UK.
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The last few diving posts have been from the massive halls inside Ojamo Mine in Finland or some of the roomier tunnels of France.
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But it's not always like that. This shot is actually from France but represents what cave diving is like in the UK. Except in the UK we rarely have the luxury of such clear water. So imagine this but in completely dark, muddy water.
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Our first outing back underwater/underground will be in the UK in April as long as it's safe and legal to do so. But we're also juggling exploratory plans for trips in Europe depends on what and when things open up.
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The Darkness Beckons...
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Photography by @richstevenson.uk
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #caver #cave #underground #caver #cave #underground #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #hardcore #stunts

Although exact dates are still uncertain it looks

Although exact dates are still uncertain it looks hopefully that by Easter we'll back in the skies.
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Whether the Skydiving World Championships in Russia will happen or not this summer is still anyone's guess but I'll be back to training with the other Team GB Speeder (@mikeylovemore and @jstcoaching ) as soon as we can in the hope the competition gies ahead.
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I'll know things are getting back to the new normal when I launch myself out of a plane into pure blue skies.
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To Blue Skies.
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Photo by @martinrhartley
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.#adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #skydiving #skydiver #skydive #parachute #parachuting #freefall #sky #tandem #speed #worldcup #worldchampionship #wingsuit #wingsuiting #wingsuiter

Inner Hell - The other side of Hell's Gate. . I've

Inner Hell - The other side of Hell's Gate.
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I've posted the entrance known as Hell's Gate a few times so I thought I'd show you what's on the far side.
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Hell's Gate lies deep inside the deep labyrinth of Ojamo Mine in Finland, know submerged beneath the frigid waters of Ojamo Lake.
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It requires specialist mixes of breathing gases, DPV (underwater scooters) and rebreathers (that recycle your breath) to reach but is one of the most memorable undrwater sites I've seen.
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This is a shot of @ghrs_1990 coming through The Gate (dressed in Orange) swimming towards me (dressed in Silver).
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Very cool.
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Photo is a screen shot from the film - taken by @diversofthedark
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography @scubadivingmag @scubadiving @fathomlesslife @divingphotos @redbull @redbulletin @scubadiverlife

One more shot from the river in Devon. . Phenomena

One more shot from the river in Devon.
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Phenomenal light, colours and life can be found in rivers around the world and even right here at home in the UK.
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Rivers are often overlooked by divers in favour of the sea but the underwater is all connected and to limit ourselves to just one aspect of it is to miss so much.
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Protection of our oceans and seas has become more prominent and important in recent years. As it should be. But we need to remember the rivers and lakes feed into the seas so we can't afford to ignore the health of these water systems either. Any impact on freshwater impacts the oceans which in turn impacts the whole world.
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Photo by @danboltphoto
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #green #conservation #marineconservation #environment #environmental #river #water

As well as one underwater exploration project in t

As well as one underwater exploration project in the UK that's due to start as soon as lockdown lifts I'm also planning a filming trip to France and another cave diving exploration trip to Greece.
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However, if anyone out there has any good suggestion for cave, deep or free diving locations, projects or adventures I'd love to hear them. I'm always looking for more inspiration.
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It's better to have a long to do list that you only ever get partially through than a short one that's too easily achieved. Or worse yet no list at all.
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Photo by @richstevenson.uk
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.#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver @scubadivingmag @scubadiving @fathomlesslife @divingphotos @redbulluk @redbulletin @scubadiverlife #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography #explore #explorer #exploration

HELL'S GATE . I've posted this before but this ti

HELL'S GATE
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I've posted this before but this time I've put the video clip this is taken from in my highlights as it has to be my most popular shot I've put on IG (ironic when it's actually @ghrs_1990 in the orange suit, I'm the one just inside the opening shiny my torch at her).
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But it shows, like few other shots, how wonderfully alien the underwater world can be. And why I love to do what I do.
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This shot was taken deep underground and underwater, inside an old flooded mine in Finland. It required hours and hours submerged in freezing waters breathing mixed gases through a closed circuit rebreather (it recycles your breath).
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But when you see Hell's Gate lit up like this you feel like you're living a Sci-Fi movie.
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Worth all the pain.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #scifi #space #sciencefiction #alien #alienworld #alienworlds @scubadivingmag @scubadiving @fathomlesslife @divingphoto @redbulluk @redbulletin @scubadiverlife

Following on from yesterday's 'it's cold outside'

Following on from yesterday's 'it's cold outside' theme this is another shot from our filming the Arctic.
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Stepping off into the blue of a Blue Lake - a body of water that forms from glacial meltwater collecting in depressions in glaciers.
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It is incredibly clear and the 24 hour summer Arctic sun reflects through the crystal waters and bounces off the white-ice lake bed and creates the blue colours that give the lakes their name.
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And it's also a cool pic.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #ice #blue #glacier #arctic #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #explore #explorer @divingphoto @divingpassport @ocean @scubadivingmag @scubadiving

This is normally my 'naked man in the wilderness'

This is normally my 'naked man in the wilderness' pose but that would have been a little foolhardy even for me.
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This shot was taken on Operation Iceberg when I used my morning off to go freediving by the calving front of a glacier in Greenland (I'm actually out at sea and standing on a car-sized piece of brash ice).
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Winter has hit this week in the UK and I'm gutted as I still can't get out. I had my eye on an ice-freediving project in the Scottish Mountains this year and the location is in perfect condition...unfortunately, even though it's work for me, I can't justify it during a national lockdown.
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But my kit has never been so well maintained or tidy and I'm poised to make the most of the winter we'll have left.
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I should say these photos were from 2012...when, as you'll see from the selfie in the second shot, I didn't know enough about cameras not to point a Go Pro (back when a Go Pro didn't need a number) directly into the sun....muppet.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #winter #ice #glacier #greenland #extremeselfie #selfie

A new blog for @fitforfilms is up on their website

A new blog for @fitforfilms is up on their website today (link in the bio).
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It considers the obstacle to progress posed by the pursuit of perfection - i.e. becoming fixated on only executing perfection can have a detrimental effect on actually working towards it.
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Or, as @troylavallee once said, "don't let perfection be the enemy of good enough".
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Check it out. Or don't. But either way here's a cool shot by @mikeylovemore of me pretending to be The Mandalorian in my @fitforfilms T-shirt.
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#fitness #fit #training #homegym #garagegym #gym #fitfam #trainingmotivation #motivation #train #athlete #perfection #progress #skydiving #skydiver #skydive #parachute #parachuting #freefall #sky #tandem #train #training #stunts #stunt #stuntman

The opening to a chapter I wrote for a newly publi

The opening to a chapter I wrote for a newly published book called Close Calls.
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With 70 individual chapters each written by some of the world’s best divers the book looks at the mistakes we’ve made in a hope others can learn from them.
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But it’s also to foster a culture which promotes ‘black box thinking’ - the honest admission and assessments of mistake in order to prevent them happening again to anyone.
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Technical and Cave diving can be done safely but the margin for errors is often small with the consequences being fatal.
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Anything that can help us all to avoid mistakes, or at least be able to rectify them in time, is important.
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And I was proud of how many of the authors are not just acquaintances but very close friend.
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Unsurprisingly the photo you see here was by @richstevenson.uk who also features in the book (along with many other of my regular dive buddies).
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A useful read for any diver.
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#diving #dive #diver #scuba #techdiver #cavediver #techdiver #adventure #explore #risk #fear #mistakes #blackboxthinking #learning

The final shot from my Blowhole stories this week.

The final shot from my Blowhole stories this week.
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I realised it's been 10 years since I first tried to dive inside an active blowhole in a storm. Something never attempted before.
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On my IGTV now is a few clips of that attempt...SPOILER...it didn't exactly go to plan...
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And if you missed it i posted a short video explaining what a blowhole is in my grid along with some footage from a BBC shoot where I went back to see what it looked like in nice weather...very, very different.
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When this madness is over it'll be good to get back to a better kind of madness.
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Have a good weekend folks.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #adrenalin #adrenaline #adrenalinejunkie #danger #risk #stunt #stunts #stuntman

A quick 40 second explanation of what a blowhole i

A quick 40 second explanation of what a blowhole is and how they form.
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For those who didn't see that last film and photo I posted take a look...it'll make sense of why I'm explaining blowhole-ology.
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I'll post the footage from the stormy attempt when the hole was really blowhing on Thursday.
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Watch and learn - every day's a school day.
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(this is a clip from a BBC The One Show shoot I did a few years ago).
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #caver #cave #underground #blowhole #geology #geography #adrenalin

I'll be putting up some footage this week of my fi

I'll be putting up some footage this week of my first attempt to dive an active blowhole.
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However, to give some context here's me diving the same 'blowhole' when the sea was calm. We did this dive as part of a shoot for the BBC's The One Show back in about 2016.
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In the right conditions it's beautiful and peaceful. In the 'right' conditions it's a maelstrom (as you'll see in a few days).
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And tomorrow I'll put up a little explanantion video of what a blowhole is.
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.#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #caver #cave #underground #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #nature #geology #blowhole

Carrying on the theme of more extreme UK adventure

Carrying on the theme of more extreme UK adventures how about attempting to dive inside an active blowhole during a storm?
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This is a huge throwback to about 10 years ago when I had one of my best/worst ideas.
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No one had ever tried it before so I thought it'd be a smart thing to do.
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It didn't go quite to plan the first time but I got there in the end.
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I'll stick up some footage we shot and from the subsequent BBC film next week.
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Or the full story is in my book (link in the bio).
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Needless to say the body armour turned out to be very important.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #cliff #climber #caver #cave #underground #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #adrenaline #risk #stunts #stuntman

A reminder that, when we can, the UK offers plenty

A reminder that, when we can, the UK offers plenty of opportunity for fun and adventure in the great outdoors.
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Some clips from a snorkelling/freediving film I shot with @rupertwardlewisfilms and @richstevenson.uk 3 years ago about freediving around the UK in our seas, lakes and rivers.
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This was a shipwreck that's a short swim off a lovely beach in Devon. Very easy and accessible to anyone.
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We'll mostly be taking our time off this summer in our home countries so if you haven't gone out and explored the underwater bits this will be your chance.
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I'm hoping my summer is a wet one.
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#homegrownadventures #adventuresonyourdoorstep #UKadventures #BritishAdventure #diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #sea #ocean #swim #swimmer #wildswimming #wildswimmer #getoutside

Part 2 of the chat I had with @scubaverse_media is

Part 2 of the chat I had with @scubaverse_media is out now.
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Follow the link in the bio.
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This is the part where I really start to talk conservation, sustainability and trying to be a better custodian.
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Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver ...of me chatting to Georgina @aquacityfreediving this summer freediving off the Conrish Coast ...rather than of me chatting to Jeff from SCUBAVerse on Zoom in my spare room. But it's a much nicer shot.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #sustainability #greenenergy #green #conservation #marineconservation #environment #environmental

Part 1 of an interview I did with @scubaverse_medi

Part 1 of an interview I did with @scubaverse_media is out now.
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Follow the links in the bio.
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I enjoyed this one as it gave me the opportunity to get on my high horse about conservation and sustaibabilty and the little things we can all do. It tried not to be too pessimistic.
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(Photo by @richstevenson.uk from a cave diving trip in France with him and @phil_short_explorer before Covid in a galaxy far far away).
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #explore #explorer #exploration #cave #tunnel #light #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #podcast #darkness #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography

2020 into 2021...rising from the darkness towards $2020 into 2021...rising from the darkness towards the light. we're not there yet but the sufrace is in sight. . Happy New Year folks. Keep it together a little bit longer. . Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver . . . . . #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #philosophy #life #lessonsfromtheedge #philosophyfromtheedge #philosophiesfromtheedge #motivation #newyear #sunshine #light$

It turned out this was the last photo from my last

It turned out this was the last photo from my last dive of 2020.
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I had planned to get out again but...Covid n' shizzle.
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As Rocky Balboa once said "..life ain't all sunshine and rainbows..."...but, the thing is, sometimes it is.
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Photo and fun by @daanverhoevenfreediver
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #philosophy #life #lessonsfromtheedge #philosophyfromtheedge #philosophiesfromtheedge #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #motivation #rocky #rainbow #rainbows #sunshine #sea #ocean

Over the festive period myself and many from @seve

Over the festive period myself and many from @severn_area_rescue_association have been on 24hr call.
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With the bad weather, flooding, mental pressures that come with this time of year, Covid and life and the usual accidents there is still a need for search and rescue even when you’d rather be tucking into beer and turkey (some of the team were out on Christmas Day).
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Today it was searching the river and flood areas.
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Tomorrow who knows.
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#rescue #search #searchandrescue #sar #emt #emergencyservices #river #volunteer #sara #severn

Back in January myself and some cave diving friend

Back in January myself and some cave diving friends set off to Herault in France to see what unexplored systems might be on offer there.
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It was meant to be the start of a year of exploration in the UK, the Balkans, Pyrennees and Greece...it didn't quite work out.
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But we'll be back next year. More motivated than ever...eventually.
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Hang in there.
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Photo of myself and Chris Jewell by @richstevenson.uk
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #explorer #exploration #explore

Another shot to prove that even in winter it's sti

Another shot to prove that even in winter it's still worth getting out in the ocean.
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Here in the UK the sea temperature is between 8-10C...which may seem colder but it's warmer than the air.
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So even if the marine life, the views of the ocean and the fun you can have playing weightlessly in water isn't enough then consider that it is, theoretically, warmer in there...sort of.
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Of course I've no intention of jumping in naked. Again.
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Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #winter #water #cold #marine #ocean #sea

It's not been a great year for exploration project

It's not been a great year for exploration projects (or much else to be fair).
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But I managed a couple of projects with my friend Chris Jewell (who took this shot..and is also in it as the foreground shadow).
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Chris' main skill is convincing me that spending days underground humping a ton of dive kit through a serpentine cave system (some underwater some dry) is a really smart idea.
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My knees and back tend to disagree and yet I keep coming back for more subterranean Cross-Fit.
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #cavediver #cavediving #techdiving #techdiver #caver #caving #cave #shadow #dark #darkness #crossfit

I managed to get out in the sea a few days ago, ta

I managed to get out in the sea a few days ago, taking advantage of a break in the winter weather.
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Occasionally we got buffeted by white water but took shelter beneath the surface to watch the maelstrom roll over us and crash on the rocks.
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It's a bizarre and mesmerising sight and a perspective that few people get to see and yet it lies only a metre below the surface.
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Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver
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#winter #sea #ocean #water #whitewater #waves #diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #underwater #underwaterphoto #underwaterphotography

Before someone starts this was taken pre-Covid. Ca

Before someone starts this was taken pre-Covid. Calm down and read on.
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One of the best things about freediving (or cave diving, tech diving, skydiving, climbing, kayaking, etc, etc) is the people.
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We are social creatures. That does not means we need to roam around in huge groups but there is pleasure in the small communities we create.
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Of course I have undertaken many solo adventures and enjoy time alone. But, during my work and play, I have come to realise 90% of your happiness is dictated by the people you surround yourself with.
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So if you're thinking of getting fit in 2021 or getting outdoors more - Join a club. Whether it's football or freediving doing something with others helps to motivate us not least because we enojoy it more. Form connections and communities. You'll do more, more often, have greater memories and people to hug when it all goes right or all goes wrong.
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And, if you're as lucky as @daanverhoevenfreediver , you might get a kiss on the cheek from me...
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Selfie by @daanverhoevenfreediver including myself and @aquacityfreediving
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#freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #fun #friends #community #people #groups #happiness #philosophy #life #lessonsfromtheedge #philosophyfromtheedge #seflie #groupselfie #philosophiesfromtheedge

The sea has temperature has dropped but the weathe

The sea has temperature has dropped but the weather has been kind and I've still managed to get a few days underwater before Christmas.
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This is my kind of Cold Water Therapy.
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Photo by @daanverhoevenfreediver
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#diver #diving #dive #scuba #scubadiver #aquaman #freediver #freedive #freediving #snorkel #snorkelling #snorkeling #adventure #extreme #extremeadventure #therapy #cold #coldwater #winter #blackandwhite #coldwatertherapy

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