{"id":184809,"date":"2021-03-30T04:07:16","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T02:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=100698"},"modified":"2021-03-30T04:07:16","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T02:07:16","slug":"take-the-plunge-with-a-south-african-based-conservation-couple-in-this-epic-freediving-diaries-tv-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/take-the-plunge-with-a-south-african-based-conservation-couple-in-this-epic-freediving-diaries-tv-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Take the plunge with a South African-based conservation couple in this epic Freediving Diaries TV series"},"content":{"rendered":"

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With nothing between them and 15-tonne whale sharks but the blue ocean, South African-based freediving couple, Beth \u2018The Mermaid\u2019 Neale and Miles \u2018Aquaman\u2019 Cloutier go on an unimaginable underwater journey that lets viewers experience marine life that needs to be protected. Featuring on PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather (DStv \u2013 CH180 and Openview \u2013 CH115), from 3 May 2021, the 10-episode Freediving Diaries is the first-ever freediving reality TV series, which follows Beth and Miles\u2019 experiences of freediving with just one breath from the surface, off the coasts of Mozambique and the Maldives.<\/p>\n

Beth, a four-time South African freediving champion from the KZN South Coast, explained that one of the series\u2019 goals is to promote the many dedicated people and organisations at the forefront of ocean conservation and eco-tourism: \u201cWe also want to show that freediving isn\u2019t just an extreme sport for elite athletes. It\u2019s the fastest-growing water sport and simply requires you to hold your breath underwater. You don\u2019t have to go deep or hold your breath for a long time. We want to inspire people to safely explore the underwater world and understand the incredible need to protect our oceans and the life they hold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miles, who is Canadian-born, describes freediving as \u2018your passport to a whole new world\u2019, said: \u201cWe enjoy capturing the magic of the underwater world, and our incredible experiences. In the early days of lockdown, we planned an amazing freediving expedition to the unexplored coasts of Mozambique. Some months later, it became a reality, and we have had the opportunity to share this dream with others in the hope that they will be inspired to get out and connect with nature. The impact of lockdown on these local communities has been devastating, and we know this will encourage more eco-tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beth and Miles also introduced many people to freediving while on their trip: \u201cAnyone can learn to freedive. We teach beginners and first-timers how to hold their breath for two minutes in a short session. It\u2019s great that anyone can have these experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Filming of Free Diving Diaries<\/strong><\/p>\n

In partnership with PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather \u2013 Africa\u2019s first and only 24\/7 weather, environmental news and lifestyle channel \u2013 the series was filmed between late November 2020 and mid-February 2021. Beth and Miles were some of the first to cross the border into Mozambique to begin filming the series when lockdown restrictions eased.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust before Christmas, we flew out of South Africa to the Maldives a day or two before travel restrictions were imposed on South Africans,\u201d recalled Neale. \u201cAt the end of our trip we were \u2018stranded\u2019 in the Maldives for two weeks, but I think in terms of places to get stuck, we could have done a lot worse!\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the filming was done by Beth and Miles with freedives up to 20 metres using regular action cameras. \u201cWhile there is plenty visible light below that level, the colour doesn\u2019t show how alive everything is on camera, so we prefer to capture in shallower waters,\u201d explained Miles.<\/p>\n

Beth considers this \u2018recreational freediving\u2019 since she holds the South African and African Continental Record for freediving in the \u2018no-fins\u2019 discipline, which is breast stroke down and back up, to a depth of 50 metres.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom 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 bucketlist species,\u201d continued Miles. \u201cFuvahmulah is a world-class dive location and a tiger shark hotspot, and we were some of the first freedivers in the world to visit this site. It is extremely accessible and perfect for freediving. Most importantly, the tiger sharks are protected since it is now a UNESCO world heritage site.\u201d<\/p>\n

An action-packed first season<\/strong><\/p>\n

Season one of Freediving Diaries focuses on the couple\u2019s 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 \u2013 it wasn\u2019t just going to be the two of them on this journey!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never expected to be sharing the most special experience that we have had together as a couple in the first episode,\u201d admitted Beth. \u201cJust 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. But it turned out to be the best timing ever because my little mermaid has already dived with whales, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, tiger sharks and nurse sharks all from the comfort of my belly!\u201d<\/p>\n

On discovering the new addition, Beth and Miles spent time researching, connecting with professionals who have had experience with freediving and pregnancy: \u201cI was never a freediver who pushed my limits anyway, but now that I am having a baby, I do shallow, short and easy dives. I am very fit, strong and healthy\u2026 and so is my baby!\u201d<\/p>\n

Miles wasn\u2019t concerned at all: \u201cIt was pretty much the best timing ever. I couldn\u2019t have imagined it any better. It was also a huge relief, because we had thought Beth was sick from eating at my favourite sharwama restaurant \u2013 so we can keep going back there!\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the motion and morning sickness, Beth was able to enjoy the marine adventures: \u201cFrom tiny sea horses to the biggest fish in the sea. My life\u2019s dream came true when I had a brief swim with the highly-endangered and elusive dugong in Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique, which brought me to tears. The Dugong is the original mermaid, with its iconic tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had another unexpected experience during a night dive off of the yacht in Maldives with whale sharks and manta rays. They placed lights off the back of the boat which attract plankton. It\u2019s so surreal to see mantas emerging from the darkness and swooping through the light! The whale shark also stayed, feasting off the back of the boat within a metre of us for hours. It was an out-of-this-world experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephan Le Roux, CEO of PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather, commented on the extraordinary first series, saying: \u201cFrom the moment I met Beth and Miles and heard about what they do I thought it was completely crazy! Beth has had some unbelievable sports\u2019 accomplishments in freediving, and it\u2019s so amazing the three of them are now sharing these adventures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to all the marine-based action, the series will feature the couple\u2019s interactions with the many inspiring conservationists and guides they meet along the way. Viewers will get to experience the highs and lows of such exotic travel, with Beth and Miles overcoming many challenges, and even discovering their life changing piece of news on the journey!<\/p>\n

Catch Freediving Diaries which premieres on PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather (DStv CH-180 and Openview CH-115) from Monday, 3 May at 18:00. The series will be shown over two weeks with new episodes daily from Mondays to Fridays at 18:00, with a repeat at 10:30 and 14:00 the following day. There will also be an omnibus shown on the weekend.<\/p>\n

For more on PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather check out:
Website: www.peoplesweather.com
Facebook: @PeoplesWeather
Instagram: @PeoplesWeather
Twitter: @Peoples_Weather
LinkedIn: @People\u00b0sWeather
#PPLWX
#FreedivingDiaries<\/p>\n

Follow Beth @onebreathbeth and Miles\u2019 journey on Instagram at @freedivingcouple or @aqua.souls to start your own freediving journey.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pages: Page <\/span>1<\/span> Page <\/span>2<\/a><\/div>\n

Source: MyPR.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With nothing between them and 15-tonne whale sharks but the blue ocean, South African-based freediving couple, Beth \u2018The Mermaid\u2019 Neale and Miles \u2018Aquaman\u2019 Cloutier go on an unimaginable underwater journey that lets viewers experience marine life that needs to be protected. Featuring on PPL\u00b0WX \u2013 People\u2019sWeather (DStv \u2013 CH180 and Openview \u2013 CH115), from 3 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":184810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9021],"tags":[3257],"class_list":{"0":"post-184809","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mypr","8":"tag-mypr","9":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/take-the-plunge-with-a-south-african-based-conservation-couple-in-this-epic-freediving-diaries-tv-series.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184809\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}