"Get Outside. Come Alive." What do you think of my new slogan? #water #florida #naturephotography #snorkeling #adventure #travel #nature
Hidden places. Clear water. If you want to go off the beaten path and learn about everything you see along the way: I'm your guide. #water #florida #naturephotography #snorkeling #adventure #travel #nature
1 Year Celebration - Post 5
Working with underwater models has been an adventure. We team up, and do whatever we need to do to get the shot! I love doing underwater shoots with people like Emily (@emilyk.wald), shown here learning the art of the underwater Lyra. Problem solving all the logistical and safety issues that come with bringing props, cameras, and models into the water. Finding the perfect locations. Dodging floods and crowds. Shooting, editing, and then BAM! It happens.
I hereby submit my application to the USA synchronized swimming team at the Olympics in 2028.
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1 YEAR CELEBRATION (post 4)
My freediving style has changed so since I went solo and started Aquatrek! I used to care more about what I looked like in the water. I was self conscious about presenting a professional image and not freediving too "showy". Things have changed so much. I recognize now that the critical voices were just holding me back from being my authentic self.
Here's to dancing underwater.
*Reminder - All clients who refer to these One Year Celebration posts while booking will receive 15% off their booking, and an additional 5% for tagging three friends in the comments.*
1 YEAR CELEBRATION (Post 2!) Aquatrek has hosted two retreats in it's first year, both cohosted by Georgia Freedivers & Freediving Community. Switching from big events to retreats has been a very positive thing for me. It allows for more authentic connections to be made and for more wild destinations. I've learned a lot, and made new partnerships such as my recent collaboration with Angie Hyse bringing post-dive massage to the table! I can't wait to continue pushing the envelope of what's possible for this particular branch of my company... Don't forget the month-long promo: 15 percent off to anyone who mentions these posts between now and August 31. 5% more off if you tag three friends below. #water #florida #naturephotography #snorkeling #adventure #travel #nature #retreat
Hold your breath with me, come down to the bottom, and meet an unlikely new friend: The Springs Crayfish (Procambarus Spiculifer). Stick around for it's "ninja vanish" exit.
We’re doing our monthly cleanup tomorrow morning at the Ichetucknee south entrance. Meet at 9am, float down to the tube exit and pick up trash along the way. DM with questions, see you out there!
Water State Festival!!
Very excited to take part in the @thewaterstate.florida festival today! Thank you @playhardflorida and @depot.park for putting this on.
I'll be spending the day telling folks what sets Aquatrek apart - sharing the magic of Florida's natural places with my trademark personal approach.
Got a friend or family member who is ready to start experiencing Florida? Consider sending them on a tour with Aquatrek.
Fins up! Filming this inspired the name of my upcoming freediving retreat!!!
I teamed up with @plunge.waterwear to reveal freediving secrets and share information about the springs on their new podcast! It was an electric conversation and I enjoyed it very much. It's been posted on YouTube under the Plunge Waterwear account.
Find the link to the full podcast in my video edits highlights.
Check out all the amazing things available in the @seacsub_official 2024 catalog!
When you buy from me, you're not just supporting local businesses, you're also keeping the money inside the freediving community and getting a personalized shopping experience led by an expert.
Want a copy? I'll email you one.
River beans arranged by size?! I’ll take all five.
The Ichetucknee River has recovered greatly in the past couple of years due to banning tubing on the upper half of the park. Eelgrass is now covering much of the bottom of the river, forming an incredibly important foundation of the rest of the ecosystem.
Eelgrass is food for manatees and turtles, as well as shelter for a variety of juvenile freshwater fish. Because of this amazing recovery, turtles are moving into the area in high numbers. Would you just look at these cooter cuties!? Our species diversity of freshwater turtles goes mostly unappreciated, but represents one of the highest concentrations of species on the planet.
Tommy, the diver at the end, decided to make his expedition into a river cleanup. We left it better than we found it. It was a fitting end to an amazing three-day expedition.
#nature #water #adventure #travel
Eelgrass restoration in progress!
I was very excited to run into park staff and scientists during another Ichetucknee paddle trip. What are they up to? Planting and protecting native eelgrass, an extremely important plant which is critical to the health of our springs.
Whenever there’s progress on this protection, it warms my heart to see the legacy of my former non-profit, Keepers of the Springs, in tangible action. Contributing directly to the health of this river in any way is a true honor!
#conservation #environment #sustainable #nature #outdoors #saveoursprings
Want to experience the incredible natural phenomenon of bioluminescence without feeling like a tourist? We’re offering a night of paddling where you can “glow out” with us while learning from a Florida conservationist and experienced educator. What sets this tour apart from other paddling outfits is world-class guest service, environmental education, and amenities like on-board snacks, ice-cold water, and even cool towels to bring down the heat. We will be launching under a new moon, so the glowing effects should be at their peak. Interested in the details? We depart on Friday, September 15th, with an exclusive and small group of adventurers. We’re only offering 8 spots on this experience, and they’re going fast. Email [email protected] for booking details!
🧐 The Mammalian Dive Reflex! 😎
It's triggered by cold and pressure, and it's the reason that people can survive so long when they fall through the ice on a lake or nearly drown. We take the reflex, train it, and utilize to create a brain-state of total ZEN while we explore the depths on one breath.
Special thanks to my recent freediving student, @brettsphoto to allow me to film his amazing dive reflex. A lifetime spent underwater creating beautiful art will do that to you! Congratulations on passing your course!
📸 If you haven't already, check out his work at brettstanley.com 📸
I proudly offer courses, training sessions and expeditions through @aquatrekexpeditions
Check out www.aquatrekexpeditions.com for more information.
Private training always available! Email [email protected]
🚫 Never Freedive Alone! 🚫
Did you know that it's easy to find shark teeth all over Florida? I was lucky enough to walk right up to this amazing Ancient Mako a couple days ago. The evidence is clear: we were once under an ancient ocean. Florida just can't decide whether it wants to be under the water or on top of it. Relatable.
Ancient sharks prowling oceans that no longer exist... Inspiring to the imagination!
Gilchrist Blue Springs shocked people by rapidly browning out yesterday. Today it is running clear again, with a lot of extra sand down around the vents. The middle vent is closed, the left one very small. The largest vent on the right is unchanged, but with much higher flow, probably due to the extra sand in the other vents.
There are hundreds of amazing mushroom species growing out in the woods this time of year! Such a diversity is so entertaining on the trails, that it's hard to talk about anything else!
Nothing better than paddling clear rivers on a SUP.
Epic times hiking out in Wild Florida. Check out this formation caused by water reacting with limestone.
