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 LIFE
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: After eating breakfast, I either work out in the morning or go for a one-hour morning swim close to where I live (Mauritius North) 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 like to have my lunch at some really nice brunch restaurant on the island. My favorite is Island babe in pereybere, 5 min from my hom. They do delicious avocado toast with poached eggs. I’m not a very good cook, but I like to cook easy meals, for example some salad and tofu at home.
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 think this was in 2018, when I arrived in Mauritius and did my first dolphin swim; this was magical and I’ll never forget it. and I guess I fell in love a second time with the ocean when I started scuba diving and freediving in 2019. This ability to stay longer underwater was amazing to me. And i feel lucky to live close to the ocean, i can’t go back to a life in France.
KL: How do you personally handle moments of fear?
MS: I can be sometimes afraid when the visibility underwater is not great, then it means you don’t really see well around you and can’t predict what can happen. Sometimes a big tuna or giant trevally can come to say Hi! and they are quite big, this is surprising. I remember that I’m visiting us, they are just curious and won’t be mad at me if I stay calm and nice with 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 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 gives a strong feeling of freedom and peace. This is so quiet underwater and animals move with so much elegance. It is fascinating to watch them in their element and be part of this world for a few moment. This is also an extreme sport and I like challenges and adventure, that’s also why I like this practice.
KL: What are the best freediving locations you’ve visited?
MS: In Mauritius I would say the northern island (Coin de Mire) because the water is so clear and you have depth from 5 meters to very very deep.. 50m and more
KL: What sort of kit do you need for freediving?
MS: I use my long fins, a snorkel, a mask, a diving computer and also a buoy and line when I do deep freediving sessions. and a buddy!
KL: What’s next for you in your freediving journey?
MS: I want to get the PADI level 2 certification this year, and then try to be a freediver instructor in the next few years.
KL: If you could give only one piece of advice to aspiring freedivers, what would it be?
MS: I would say if you like nature and sport in general you will discover so many things with this sport. So go for it, have a swim in the ocean and observe, you don’t need to go very deep, at even 2-3 meters you can see so many animals and underwater life (corals, small species ..) . Where I live, in Pereybere, I have a favorite spot where you can swim with turtles EVERYDAY and rays when I’m lucky. This is a real blessing.
KL: If you had to convince a friend to try freediving, what would you tell them?
MS: I would say that they should not hesitate at all, and come with me for a unique underwater experience. After that they will probably get addicted and always want to see more of what the ocean has to offer.
Photography MEGANE SALMON
LAURA MOROSOLI
JOHAN LETANG
SHOP THE SHOOT