Some people are sea creatures, too
They might not have gills or dorsal fins, but those humans who live their lives on, around and in the water are sea creatures themselves.
Madison Stewart
Scuba Diver | Shark Conservation Activist | @sharkgirlmadison
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
I lived on a sailboat from age 2 with my parents who wanted to sail the Great Barrier Reef. After that I had a pet catfish that I chose, according to my parents, “because he looked like a shark.” I think it started before I even knew. The ocean was my normal.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
Two and a half hours. My first rebreather dive. It’s a more technical form of scuba that allows you to breathe the same air repetitively so essentially, you can’t run out. I got into so much trouble because I came up with blue lips from the cold, nearly hypothermic, but I was having too much fun underwater.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone?
The way sharks treat me. Honestly. I wish people could see these fleeting moments of care and caution. I never want to risk anthropomorphising a creature that is not linked to us in any emotional capacity, but there are moments their personality really shines through.
Favorite sea creature?
The shark. Tiger sharks are my favourite species. Coming in at a close second, the sunfish or “Mola mola.” I haven’t seen one underwater but have you ever seen a photo of a baby one? They are just perfect awkward-looking creatures and for that I love them.
Justin Burkle
Free Diver | Photographer | @41degreesnorth
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
I realized I was drawn to the ocean when I was away from the ocean in a landlocked area visiting friends or family and the excitement I felt when I returned to the ocean afterward. With each time away from the ocean the appreciation and need for the ocean intensifies.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
When freediving everything slows down, so a minute underwater on a single breath of air feels like three. So having said that the most time spent underwater was a 40-minute submarine ride we took while on vacation in St. Thomas at the age of 10.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone?
Most sea creatures are fast-moving offering short glimpses but whale shark encounters are the opposite. World’s largest fish measures 25+ feet but they move so slow and gracefully through the water column allowing time to swim alongside.
Favorite sea creature?
Favorite is a swordfish as it is truly the gladiator of the ocean and elusive as they spend the majority of their time deep in the ocean where barely any light exists. My favorite skeleton to re-erect as well.
Marina Anderson
Lead Mermaid/Creator Of The Long-Running Medusirena Swimshows At The Wreck Bar, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | @fireeatingmermaid.medusirena
How did you become a mermaid?
Besides my father’s diving and boating, my mother had a great love for dance and Hollywood musicals—particularly Esther Williams films. These were definitely the framework of where my love for underwater performance first began. I’ve been doing aquatic performance work since 1989. I started the MeduSirena Swimshows at the Wreck Bar in 2006 as a labor of love to help preserve the iconic establishment and to revive interest in those underwater shows that once were so popular during tourism’s golden age. Now 15 years later, the Swimshows are more popular than ever!
Favorite sea creature?
That’s a tough one; as a former marine biology major, I’ve had several! Cephalopods are usually a fave, particularly the mimic octopus. Such range! Sea lions are another, and more related to my work, as they are true mammalian swim masters. I often look to their physiological efficiency in movement and flow as inspiration for my own underwater maneuvers. It makes for a distinct and unique swim style, with a lot of slow and controlled movements.
John Miglis
Crescent Beach Sandbar Regular Screenwriter | Novelist | @jmiglis
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
As a child, on a family outing to Jacksonville Beach, but it truly took hold during my college years. Crescent Beach was the nearest beach to Gainesville (University of Florida). Later, my wife and I bought a beach house just over the dunes from where we came when we were younger.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
Senior summer in high school, I was a lifeguard at a hotel in Miami. My boss, an ex-Navy Chief, had a scuba tank in his office. I would fill it, and watch the swimmers from the bottom of the pool—until the tank got low.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone
An underwater volcano in Hawaii.
Favorite sea creature?
Toss-up between octopus and dolphin.
Tyler Maguire
Offshore Fisherman | Lover of Spiked Tea | @teewizzler
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
My first memories of the ocean were as a little kid down at Ditch playing in the shore-break sunburnt to a crisp. First fishing trip memories were probably back in like ’94 when a man (my dad) asked me if I wanted to go see some fish and I was kidnapped and held hostage on the Pontos for six or seven days.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
Longest I’ve been out at sea was probably on the F/V Evening Prayer. Fishing was slow and my dad was very reluctant to want to call it a trip without putting some fish on the boat. I think we came in on like day eight. It was no four-year whaling voyage or anything like back in the old country but was long enough for me. That was the least amount of money I think I ever made on a trip too.
Spent 12 days on a boat in the Mentawais a few years back without touching land once the entire time, surfing perfect point breaks with a crew of my best buds, private chef and endless amounts of cold beer. That was hands down the best boating experience of my life. Going again next week.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone?
One of the best things I’ve seen while out fishing would have to be a few years back when Justin Burkle took me and a few guys out to the Canyon on his 28-foot whaler. Trolling was slow so we hopped in the water with our spearguns out in a couple of hundred feet of water and were shooting some mahi off the lobster pot buoys when a school of what looked like a few hundred yellowfin and bigeye tuna came cruising by, amongst them feeding was a blue marlin. The thing cruised by me at a distance way too close for comfort but was such an insane sight to see. Floating around out there makes ya feel pretty freakin small. You are definitely no longer at the top of the food chain out there.
Favorite sea creature?
Favorite sea creature has to be the killer whale, they’re the ultimate apex predator of the ocean. All else bows before the killer whale, them and squid, cause that’s what pays da bills.
Valerie Taylor
Diver | Inductee of The International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
I can’t remember. I think I have always been drawn to the ocean even when I was very small.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
Possibly an hour and a half, maybe more. We were working on The Silent One, a film set in warm shallow water. A lot of sitting around on the bottom waiting for the actors to sort themselves out.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone?
The Australian sea lion being hugged by me. With this delightful creature, it is love at first sight.
Favorite sea creature?
The Australian sea lion.
Lauren Spalding
Olympic Kayaker | World Champion Outrigger Canoe Paddler And Surfski Racer | @ls_original
When did you first realize you were drawn to the ocean?
When I was about two weeks old my dad lost me in the shore break for a brief moment at Ke Iki Beach, North Shore of Oahu. I learned from a very young age to embrace my comfort in the ocean.
Longest amount of time you’ve ever spent underwater?
I have never timed myself to see how long I can stay underwater … I guess it’s not about how long I can stay down, it’s more about what I’m hunting for.
What’s one thing you’ve seen underwater that you wish you could show everyone?
The effects of climate change in our oceans so everyone would make more of an effort helping to do their part.
Favorite sea creature?
The mu, also know as the bigeye emperor fish, are smart, elusive and taste delicious.
