Rog Freedive

22/04/2022

The Ocean is a magical place. This simple statement has become a bit of a cliche but it actually contains a big truth. Beyond its aesthetic value, the Ocean truly has the power to transform us, deeply. As the ocean pioneer Jacques Cousteau said "The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever". The first time I heard this quote, I found it beautiful. As the time passed, I realised it was also a slight warning. With both its blessings and challenges, once we discover the wonders of the Ocean, and Nature more generally, our destinies, in many ways, become one.

This showreel is my ode to the Oceans, to their greatness, their magic but also to their fragility. It contains many moments that have changed my life forever. Moments that have made me come back to shore as a different human. All of these moments have been filmed while freediving, in one breath. This showreel contains scenes from different ocean creatures that I've been immensely privileged to see and connect with. These are magical moments filmed in places like Tonga, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, Rapanui, Mexico and here at home in Australia.

Happy Earth day!

Music by me. For a high-resolution version, check my YouTube channel: Rog Freedive (link on my bio) and subscribe ;)

19/04/2022

Millions of people have life changing memories of the Great Barrier Reef. These memories are reflected by the photos and videos taken by all of them, that you might be part of. These pictures capture the love for our Reef.

This picture of a grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) taken in the southern part of the great barrier reef (Bunker Group) symbolises the strength and beauty but also the fragility of our oceans and the great barrier reef.

Fight For Our Reef] are aiming to break a World Record by curating the world’s biggest Great Barrier Reef photo album. Fight For Our Reef] need 120,000 digital photos of the Great Barrier Reef to achieve this. Add your favourite photo of the Reef and be part of a world record-breaking digital photo petition demanding global action to protect the Reef. Right now is a critical time for the Great Barrier Reef – it’s in real danger due to marine heatwaves and water pollution, but it’s not too late to protect it! Head to ourreef.org.au 💙

04/04/2022

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are gald to announce our Freediving and underwater photography workshop in the Whitsundays on 29th June -2nd July 2022.
I'll be working alongside my good friend, amazing adventure travel photographer and videographer Matt Horspool and together will cover all aspects of underwater photography from camera setup > shooting > working with models > post-processing. All in the pristine blue, marine-life rich waters of Australia's white sand haven.
This workshop is truly something unique to the Australian market as you'll not only learn expert underwater photography techniques but you'll also have the opportunity to become certified as a Molchanovs Wave 1 or 2 freediver. All of this run by one of Australia's leading and most experienced Molchanovs instructors Dan Parsons .
Group sizes will be intimate and tailored to your skill level, and you can expect a lot of one-to-one time with all of us should you have any questions.
Spaces are strictly limited as we are only running one of these this year. Shoot us a DM with your email address for more information.
Happy diving!

26/12/2021

Still motion. Leopard sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum) are highly flexible and are able to use most of their body to propulse themselves in the water. From head to tail, they produce sinusoidal ondulations as they swim. These swimming biomechanics is proper to the anguilliform fishes and very distinct from the tunniform movement pattern of white sharks for example, where ondulations are limited to the tail. The wave like ondulations of leopard sharks are truly hypnotising. I'm fascinated by the fact that even a still image conveys the grace of their movements

12/12/2021

First intelligences: cephalopods are one of the most ancient complex animal class still alive. Appearing in the late Cambrian (about 500mya) they were initially apex predators. They saw the raise of the first fish, the fiest vertebrates and the first jaws. In their long history, most of them lost their external shells but not their brainpower. They're, by far, the most intelligent among invertebrates and, for some species, their cognitive abilities are comparable to birds and mammals and even to some primates. They live smart and die fast. Their unique genomes allow them to edit genes on the fly but also shorten their lives.

Here a giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama) havig a good look at me.

26/11/2021

Turtles have been selected to symbolise strength, stability and longevity. I'd add wisdom to the mix. I can only imagine all the things that this loggerhead turtle has seen in its years in the ocean.

13/11/2021

Galaxies in a turtle's shell. The patterns of Nature never stop surprising me. The growth of barnacles and seaweed on the shell of this green turtle resemble an image of the space with distant galaxies.
Call it pareidolia if you like. I call it beauty.

Sea turtles are threatened with extinction due to anthropogenic pressure: fishing, pollution, habitat lost and poaching. Rescue and rehabilitation centers such as the give these guys a second chance. Consider supporting them

08/11/2021

Shark Interaction and Education Retreat

Come to connect with sharks and marine life in a unique setting that will provide you with a life-changing experience. Learn how to have safer and respectful interactions with sharks through a mixture of theory and practical learnings. Whether you are a newcomer or an already experienced freediver, underwater photographer, or marine life enthusiast, this retreat is designed to transform your interaction with marine life and nature.
·
Over the course of two and a half days, I will share with you valuable tricks and tips that I have learned in my years as a freediver and underwater photographer with a special interest in photographing sharks. I will also help you learn how to connect with and read signals of nature in order to gain the most intimate and meaningful experiences with marine life.
·
Through this experience, you will learn how to interact closely with non-dangerous shark species in a respectful manner and how to avoid negative interactions when encountering other shark species. You will respectfully freedive and connect with endangered Grey Nurse sharks (Carcharias ta**us), which, while harmless, are an excellent model for understanding the fundamentals of shark behaviour.
·
This retreat will provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to experience marine life at a whole new level. Most importantly, you will gain a deeper appreciation for sharks through the experience of connection and an understanding of their immense importance to marine ecosystems.
·
You will learn and practice:
-The fundamentals of interacting with marine life
-Safer shark interactions,
-Shark behaviour, biology and body language
-How to recognise and avoid agonistic interactions
-Shark species identification
-Underwater photography: gear setup and editing techniques
-Conservation
-And much more
·
When: 4-6 December 2021
Where: Mid North Coast region of NSW (~3hr drive north of Sydney)
·
Promotional price: AUD$985 per person (with a maximum capacity of 6 guests). This all-inclusive freediving retreat is of excellent value. You will stay in modern beachside accommodation that is nestled in a private setting and looks out toward a national park. You will enjoy wholesome food with all meals catered for by your personal chef, Celine De Neve. You will experience two guided dives and engage with content designed specifically for this retreat. You will also directly contribute to helping shark conservation efforts as 20% of the retreat’s profits will be donated to Project Hiu, Apex harmony (Sea Shepherd), and Shark Conservation Australia.
·
Prerequisite: Freediving certification required (level 1 or above)
·
More info at:
https://www.rogfreedive.com/shark-retreats
https://www.instagram.com/rog_freedive
https://www.facebook.com/r0gfreedive

01/11/2021

Scary shark tales. In the spirit of Halloween, let's talk about some scary shark facts:

-We kill over a hundred million shark every year (for about 10 fatalities due to shark attacks per year worldwide), that's 2 to 3 sharks killed every single second.

-Sharks are targeted for their fins to make shark fin soup, a delicacy in some parts of the east. Once fished, sharks get their dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins cut and the still alive shark is discarded overboard. The shark finning industry is valued up to 1.2 billion dollars.

-Sharks are caught to supply the cosmetic and nutritional supplements industry. Squalene, an oil from sharks liver, is used as a moisturiser for skin and hair. Cartilage is used to treat joint pain and also as a anticancer product, even if there's no scientific evidence supporting its anticancer effect.

-Overfishing is killing the oceans, including sharks. Oceanic shark populations have declined by 70% in the last 50 years. With only about 30% of sharks left, marine ecosystems are thrown out of balance as sharks are keystone species (they regulate the abundance of other species in the trophic chain).

-Sharks are still being culled despite the fact that there's no evidence indicating that culling reduces shark attacks. In the east coast of Australia, sharks have been culled uninterruptedly since 1935. See for more.

If you still think that a sharks are the monsters, think twice.

31/10/2021

Shark Interaction and Education Retreat 4-6 Dec

Come to connect with sharks and marine life in a unique setting that will provide you with a life-changing experience. Learn how to have safer and respectful interactions with sharks through a mixture of theory and practical learnings. Whether you are a newcomer or an already experienced freediver, underwater photographer, or marine life enthusiast, this retreat is designed to transform your interaction with marine life and nature.
·
Over the course of two and a half days, I will share with you valuable tricks and tips that I have learned in my years as a freediver and underwater photographer with a special interest in photographing sharks. I will also help you learn how to connect with and read signals of nature in order to gain the most intimate and meaningful experiences with marine life.
·
Through this experience, you will learn how to interact closely with non-dangerous shark species in a respectful manner and how to avoid negative interactions when encountering other shark species. You will respectfully freedive and connect with endangered Grey Nurse sharks (Carcharias ta**us), which, while harmless, are an excellent model for understanding the fundamentals of shark behaviour.
·
This retreat will provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to experience marine life at a whole new level. Most importantly, you will gain a deeper appreciation for sharks through the experience of connection and an understanding of their immense importance to marine ecosystems.
·
You will learn and practice:
-The fundamentals of interacting with marine life
-Safer shark interactions,
-Shark behaviour, biology and body language
-How to recognise and avoid agonistic interactions
-Shark species identification
-Underwater photography: gear setup and editing techniques
-Conservation
-And much more
·
When: 4-6 December 2021
Where: Mid North Coast region of NSW (~3hr drive north of Sydney)
·
Promotional price: AUD$985 per person (with a maximum capacity of 6 guests). This all-inclusive freediving retreat is of excellent value. You will stay in modern beachside accommodation that is nestled in a private setting and looks out toward a national park. You will enjoy wholesome food with all meals catered for by your personal chef, Celine De Neve. You will experience two guided dives and engage with content designed specifically for this retreat. You will also directly contribute to helping shark conservation efforts as 20% of the retreat’s profits will be donated to Project Hiu, Apex harmony (Sea Shepherd), and Shark Conservation Australia.
·
Prerequisite: Freediving certification required (level 1 or above)
·
More info at:
https://www.rogfreedive.com/shark-retreats
https://www.instagram.com/rog_freedive
https://www.facebook.com/r0gfreedive

31/10/2021

Shark Interaction and Education Retreat 4-6 December

Come to connect with sharks and marine life in a unique setting that will provide you with a life-changing experience. Learn how to have safer and respectful interactions with sharks through a mixture of theory and practical learnings. Whether you are a newcomer or an already experienced freediver, underwater photographer, or marine life enthusiast, this retreat is designed to transform your interaction with marine life and nature.
·
Over the course of two and a half days, I will share with you valuable tricks and tips that I have learned in my years as a freediver and underwater photographer with a special interest in photographing sharks. I will also help you learn how to connect with and read signals of nature in order to gain the most intimate and meaningful experiences with marine life.
·
Through this experience, you will learn how to interact closely with non-dangerous shark species in a respectful manner and how to avoid negative interactions when encountering other shark species. You will respectfully freedive and connect with endangered Grey Nurse sharks (Carcharias ta**us), which, while harmless, are an excellent model for understanding the fundamentals of shark behaviour.
·
This retreat will provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to experience marine life at a whole new level. Most importantly, you will gain a deeper appreciation for sharks through the experience of connection and an understanding of their immense importance to marine ecosystems.
·
You will learn and practice:
-The fundamentals of interacting with marine life
-Safer shark interactions,
-Shark behaviour, biology and body language
-How to recognise and avoid agonistic interactions
-Shark species identification
-Underwater photography: gear setup and editing techniques
-Conservation
-And much more
·
When: 4-6 December 2021
Where: Mid North Coast region of NSW (~3hr drive north of Sydney)
·
Promotional price: AUD$985 per person (with a maximum capacity of 6 guests). This all-inclusive freediving retreat is of excellent value. You will stay in modern beachside accommodation that is nestled in a private setting and looks out toward a national park. You will enjoy wholesome food with all meals catered for by your personal chef, Celine De Neve. You will experience two guided dives and engage with content designed specifically for this retreat. You will also directly contribute to helping shark conservation efforts as 20% of the retreat’s profits will be donated to Project Hiu, Apex harmony (Sea Shepherd), and Shark Conservation Australia.
·
Prerequisite: Freediving certification required (level 1 or above)
·
More info at:
https://www.rogfreedive.com/shark-retreats
https://www.instagram.com/rog_freedive
https://www.facebook.com/r0gfreedive

30/10/2021

Get closer. Beyond the mainstream media narrative depicting sharks as mindless killers, they are truly wonderful creatures. Born hundreds of millions of years ago, when the oceans were much different than today, they have survived all the 5 major extinction events. They have developed specialised senses, including the ability of sensing the magnetic fields of the Earth and use them to navigate the oceans. Many of them are social creatures with hierarchical structures. They have learning capabilities comparable to mammals. Most sharks are viviparous, which means that they give birth to live pups instead of eggs, and some of them have placentas, while some species of sharks produce milk in their uterus to feed the embryos. Sharks use their bodies to communicate with each other, signaling hierarchy, threat or submission.

Come to discover these amazing creatures at the Shark Interaction Retreat 4-6 of December and learn about their body language, biology, safety, conservation, and more while having real-life experiences with them. DM for details

14/10/2021

The eye of the beholder. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I see beauty in the ancient evolutionary history of sharks, which lineage started in a time when there were no bony fish, giant sea scorpions reigned in the oceans and there were no trees on land. I see beauty in the way sharks balance populations making marine ecosystems thrive. I see beauty in how capable predators these creatures are and how they use their sophisticated senses that are exquisitely tuned to their environments. I see beauty in the immense curiosity of sharks and the social structures that some species show. I see beauty in the prospect of sharks surviving yet another mass extinction, ensuring the health of the oceans for the eons to come

07/10/2021

The mob. Green humphead parrofish on the move. These fish use their prominent foreheads to knock off coral in order to get to the juicy coral polyps and also algae growing on them. They bite the coral with their beaks and you can hear their rhythmical biting (which sounds like a cabasa) from quite afar. They have a voracious appetite, each one of these peculiar looking fish can chew through several tons of reef per year. They then excrete the fine grinded coral skeletons, which becomes most of the white sand we all love in tropical coasts. Nature is a bit twisted sometimes.

30/09/2021

Silverado. Evolution has given bony fish streamlined bodies for fast swimming strikes. Here, a Spanish mackerel cruises the blue searching for prey

12/09/2021

Heaven sent. Sharks are important for the health of reef ecosystems. They cycle nutrients between the open ocean and local reefs, balance populations of bony fish, protect reefs from invasive species and prune weak and sick fish keeping their populations healthy.
Sharks, like this blacktip reef shark, are guardians of marine ecosystems and we should in turn grant them the protection they deserve.

09/09/2021

When the smoke clears. In the last few months, we've been blessed with many grey nurse shark encounters at Nguthungulli. Among them, many females carrying new life. The reproductive cycle of grey nurses is remarkable. As other sharks in the lamniform order (such as threshers and white sharks), they produce live pups who feed on their siblings inside the uterus (oophagy/cannibalism). Grey nurse sharks produce a litter of up to two pups (one per uterus). This ensures that the fastest developing embryos are born after about 9 months. These pups will in turn reach sexual maturity at around 10 years for females and 7 for males. A given female will be sexualy active every two years resulting in a low reproductive rate. Grey nurses give birth at selected places, being Nguthungulli one of them. These birth places are critical for the endangered east coast population of grey nurses.

03/09/2021

Wear a hat. Fashion isn't exclusive to humand kind. Look at this spotted eagle ray sporting a remora hat. It doesn't only gives her a sleek look but it also doubles as chat buddy when crossing the big blue sea

29/08/2021

Magic. The ocean reveals its greatest wonders occasionally. From all the blessings of the ocean, interacting with highly intelligent creatures is one of my favourite ones. In calm days, schools fish are brought to the surface by sea predators. From afar, one can see seabirds diving by the dozens onto these baitballs. Below the surface, pods of dolphins are often coordinating their efforts to keep the fish at the surface. You can hear their whistles from every direction. They use these whistles to communicate with each other. You can also hear their clicks which they use for echolocation, "seeing" through the echos of their voices. A show of sound and movement second to none. Here bottlenose and common dolphins share baitfish far from shore.

The magical and I created this tune especially for this mesmerising footage. Big thanks to her for helping me creating this! More to come ✨

26/08/2021

Sharks have their own language. They use their body and movements to communicate. For the trained eye, there's a lot of information to be interpreted. Even more interesting, you can communicate back using your own body. Body language is widely used in the animal kingdom, and we're not the exception. Up to a half of the information we convey is through body language, even while talking.
Here, a grey nurse male swims above me to assert his dominance

11/08/2021

Last window of opportunity. Our relationship with the planet has left a legacy of environmental destruction. We've lifted up our civilization by pushing down on Nature in the process; a war against the wild (and ultimately against ourselves) which we are unfortunately winning. The recent IPCC report is bleak, CO2 emissions are changing the planet very rapidly: our home may be unrecognisable in as little as 10 years. The window of opportunity to reverse this damage is closing but we can still avoid the worst, ONLY IF we take radical measures.
We should all know that this is not a call to save the planet but to save our civilization (in the best case scenario) and our own lives. The planet has arguably seen worse catastrophes in the past and always bounced back, albeit losing myriads of species in the process. Take for example the "Great dying" extinction event, about 250 mya, where about 90% of the life in the oceans and 70% of life on land was wiped out. This extinction event marked the end of many species that reigned from the Cambrian (more than 500 mya such as the trilobites) and the appearance (after the aftermath) of many new species such as the dinosaurs. From a geological time scale perspective, it seems that life always finds a way, creating new species from the ashes of the lost ones. While the cycle of death and rebirth is inherent to nature, this current crisis has been triggered by us, and, ironically we will be among the most affected by it. The planet will be ok... eventually. Let's ensure that we will not go the way of the dodo. We can avoid the worst. Let's stop f around and let's fix this mess