Class In Session

I always tell people that the best way to overcome fear of the ocean is to spend time in it. The more time you spend observing, the more you realize how everything—from the biggest predators to the smallest reef creatures—works together in balance. Freediving gives us the perfect way to do that. Without the noise and bubbles from scuba gear, you can really blend into the environment. It’s a literal sense of “watch and learn.” In the warm, shallow waters of Bimini, Bahamas, I came across this small family of Nurse Sharks resting quietly on the powdery white sand about 33 feet (10 meters) below the surface. The model and I took a deep breath and dove down slowly, settling beside them without a sound. They didn’t move, didn’t flinch—just rested peacefully, completely unfazed by my presence. This image reminds me that the ocean doesn’t speak through noise or chaos; it teaches through stillness and observation. Every dive is a lesson in coexistence—proof that when we move with respect, the wild accepts us as part of its rhythm.