KASAA LIFE
FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAURITIUS AT ANAHITA
COASTAL ROAD, BEAU CHAMP, MAURITIUS
CREATIVE DIRECTION BY KASAA GROUP • PHOTOGRAPHER KSENIYA CHEBIRYAK • MUAH ELENA VINOKOUROVA • MODELS VIKTORIA GRECHIKHINA, JULIA KRASILNIKOVA
CREATIVE DIRECTION BY KASAA GROUP • PHOTOGRAPHER KSENIYA CHEBIRYAK • MUAH ELENA VINOKOUROVA • MODELS VIKTORIA GRECHIKHINA, JULIA KRASILNIKOVA
Incredible Women. Incredible Lifestyle.
KASAA LIFE
Incredible Women. Incredible Lifestyle.
KASAA LIFE
Incredible Women. Incredible Lifestyle.
KASAA LIFE
Incredible Women. Incredible Lifestyle.
KASAA LIFE
C R U I S E '24
Incredible Women. Incredible Lifestyle.
KASAA COVER STORY
C O V E R S T O R Y
WITH
MEGANE SALMON
ONE MORNING
If you assume freediving is just like snorkeling (but much deeper), think twice. Freediving is a completely unique approach to experience the underwater environment. You'll dive deeper, stay down longer, and feel like you're a part of the ocean.
Freedivers integrate with the underwater environment. They have spectacular encounters with shy marine creatures and can hear all the noises of the ocean, like fish chewing on coral, the tide throbbing at the rocks, and even dolphin and whale cries!
Freediving is the perfect way to reconnect to the sea and explore the depths of the oceans with minimal impact. Some people freedive for the personal challenge, but for many, the true appeal of freediving is in the silence and calm it brings to their hectic lives. Moreover, freediving is a unique sport in that it is one of the few in which women compete at the highest levels and achieve comparable outcomes to men.
After interviewing Olympic Champions and world-renowned dancers, we'd want to learn the secrets of deep diving from Megane Salmon, one of Mauritius' and Tahiti's most famous freedivers.
Lifestyle Photography LAURA MOROSOLI / Undewater Photography JOHAN LETANG
Location FRENCH POLYNESIA / MAURITIUS
KASAA LIFE: Megane, would you kindly describe the start of a regular day for a freediver?
MEGANE SALMON: I either exercise in the morning or go for a one-hour morning swim near where I live (Tahiti or Mauritius North) after breakfast in the hopes of spotting some turtles, fish, and rays.
KASAA LIFE: How does a freediver eat their breakfast?
MEGANE SALMON: Typically, granola, strawberries, and coconut yogurt are served. I also guzzle a ton of water.
KASAA LIFE: How do you balance your diet plan to be in excellent health and shape?
MEGANE SALMON: I prefer to eat lunch at a wonderful brunch restaurant on the island. My favorite is Island Babe in Pereybere, which is about 5 minutes away from my Mauritius house. They provide delectable avocado toast with poached eggs. I'm not a great cook, but I enjoy making simple meals at home, such as salad and tofu.
KASAA LIFE: Any freedivers' daily sports rituals?
MEGANE SALMON: I do a home workout program which includes 4 sessions per week. I exercise all the muscles of the body. I also do dry freediving training, it’s dry apnea, on the couch, approximately 4 times a week.
KL: When did you fall in love with the ocean?
MS: I believe this was in 2018, when I arrived in Mauritius and had my first dolphin swim; it was wonderful and something I'll never forget. I guess I fell in love with the water a second time when I started scuba diving and freediving in 2019. This capacity to stay underwater for longer periods of time astounded me. And I consider myself fortunate to live near the sea; I cannot imagine returning to a life in France.
KL: How do you personally handle moments of fear?
MS:I can get scared occasionally since poor underwater visibility makes it difficult to observe your surroundings and forecast what can happen. It is remarkable that occasionally a large fish, such as a monster trevally or a big tuna, may come to say hello. They are merely interested and won't get angry with me if I remain calm and cordial with them because I am aware that I am visiting them.
Describe your image
Describe your image
KL: It seems that many freedivers are challenged more by psychological issues than by
physical constraints. What is your advice on overcoming those psychological
obstacles and/or dealing with stress?
MS: This is accurate, and I really believe that maintaining our mental stability requires a serious fight. I constantly work to persuade myself to stay longer since I am aware of my body's capacity to do so. I simply concentrate on the breathtaking underwater environment around me, which helps me remain longer.
KL: What has been your most memorable dive so far?
MS: In Mozambique in April 2022, I was swimming virtually by myself with 8–10 whale sharks.
KL: What is your favorite marine animal, and have you freedived with one yet?
MS: It's a difficult choice, but given the variety of shark species and how stunning they all appear to me, I'd probably go with sharks. However, I also adore rays, nudibranchs, colorful fish, and octopi.
KL: Why is freediving becoming so popular? What is it that you love?
MS: Freediving provides a tremendous sense of freedom and calm. It's incredibly calm underwater, and the animals move so gracefully. It's fascinating to see them in their element and to be a part of it.
KL: What are the best freediving locations you’ve visited?
MS: In Mauritius, I would recommend the northern island (Coin de Mire) since the water is crystal clear and the depth ranges from 5 meters to 50 meters and more.
KL: What sort of kit do you need for freediving?
MS: When I conduct deep freediving sessions with a buddy, I utilize long fins, a snorkel, a mask, a diving computer, as well as a buoy and line.
KL: What’s next for you in your freediving journey?
MS: I earned my PADI level 2 certification this year and then plan to work as a freediver teacher in the coming years.
KL: If you could give only one piece of advice to aspiring freedivers, what would it be?
MS: If you like being outside and sports in general, I believe this sport will teach you a lot. Take a swim in the ocean; you don't need to go very deep to witness a plethora of critters and other underwater life.
Photography MEGANE SALMON
LAURA MOROSOLI
JOHAN LETANG
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