Saltwater Stories: Ocean Moments That Changed Us

We asked some inspiring women their most memorable ocean moment; 

This will have to be the first wave I caught at 7 years old, it was the first time i ever felt like i belonged somewhere. Since that day, the ocean has been everything to me.

- Laura Crane, pro surfer. Devon, UK

I’ll never forget it. I was on a trip in French Polynesia observing humpbacks, when one whale turned off course towards me. She made a beeline for me, turning at the last second and spreading her fins out to avoid hitting me. Time slowed to a fraction as I watched her belly swish past me, and she rolled on her back playfully before swimming off. I’m not a religious person but that moment felt spiritual, a moment of acknowledgement between creatures of different worlds.

- Bella, founder of Immersia Freedive school. Sydney, AUS.

Had woken up feeling incredibly anxious one morning whilst away in Portugal. Decided a surf was the only thing to sort me out. I paddled out, waves were kinder than usual, the sun was rising and the sky was that really specific pink tone that only happens at dawn. The line-up was quiet and I sat out back to try and gather my thoughts. As I was sitting there a pod of dolphins surfaced so close to me and were being really playful. They were going under my board and criss-crossing in front of me. It's safe to say that my anxiety went away after that. I always say 'you never regret getting' (the water) no matter the activity.

- Lindsey, founder of Marnie Rays surf trips. London, UK

I think it must be when we came across a pod of around 1000 dolphins and whales in the Maldives - they were pretty timid when we were in the water so one by one we got to hang off the bow of the boat, hold on to a rope for dear life and swim eye to eye with them as they jumped all around me. They would look me directly in the eye as if to say what are you doing here human? 

- Jena, Fulmar’s founder. Cornwall, UK.