Freediving – passport to a whole new world
Despite the motion and morning sickness, Beth was able to enjoy the marine adventures.
With nothing between them and 15-tonne whale sharks but the blue ocean, South African-based freediving couple, Beth ‘The Mermaid’ Neale and Miles ‘Aquaman’ Cloutier go on an unimaginable underwater journey that lets viewers experience marine life that needs to be protected in a new TV series.
Featuring on PPL°WX – People’s Weather (DStv – CH180 and Openview – CH115), from May 3, 2021, the 10-episode ‘Freediving Diaries’ is the first-ever freediving reality TV series, which follows Beth and Miles’ experiences off the coasts of Mozambique and the Maldives.
Beth, a four-time South African freediving champion from Clansthal, explained that one of the series’ goals is to promote the many dedicated people and organisations at the forefront of ocean conservation and eco-tourism.
“We also want to show that freediving isn’t just an extreme sport for elite athletes. It’s the fastest-growing water sport and simply requires you to hold your breath underwater.”
Miles, who is Canadian-born, describes freediving as ‘your passport to a whole new world’
“We enjoy capturing the magic of the underwater world, and our incredible experiences.”
The couple also introduced many people to freediving while on their trip.
The series was filmed between late November 2020 and mid-February 2021.
“Just before Christmas, we flew out of South Africa to the Maldives a day or two before travel restrictions were imposed on South Africans,” recalled Neale.
“At the end of our trip we were ‘stranded’ in the Maldives for two weeks, but I think in terms of places to get stuck, we could have done a lot worse!”
All of the filming was done by Beth and Miles with freedives up to 20 metres using regular action cameras.
Beth considers this ‘recreational freediving’ since she holds the South African and African Continental Record for freediving in the ‘no-fins’ discipline, which is breast stroke down and back up, to a depth of 50 metres.
“From the playful and inquisitive wild dolphins of Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique, to the tiger sharks of Fuvahmulah island in the Maldives, we checked a few bucket list species,” continued Miles.
Season one of Freediving Diaries focuses on the couple’s exploration of the Mozambique coastline from Ponto to Ouro to Vilankulous and Bazaruto, and the pristine atolls of the Maldives.
And the couple made an exciting discovery – it wasn’t just going to be the two of them on this journey!
“We never expected to be sharing the most special experience that we have had together as a couple in the first episode,” admitted Beth.
“Just before crossing the border into Mozambique, we found out that we are having a baby! It was an incredible surprise, but also a shock as we had planned this expedition into some very underdeveloped areas!”
Despite the motion and morning sickness, Beth was able to enjoy the marine adventures.
Stephan Le Roux, CEO of PPL°WX – People’s Weather, commented on the extraordinary first series, saying: “This series epitomises the role weather plays in adding drama and unpredictability to great adventures. The coast is especially susceptible to rapid changes in weather conditions, and the pair embarking on this extraordinary adventure while navigating uncontrollable conditions creates a great viewing experience.”
In addition to all the marine-based action, the series will feature the couple’s interactions with the many inspiring conservationists and guides they meet along the way.
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