If we trusted our bodies, how far could we go?

One of the most important movements for Africa's ocean spaces has been approaching our collective and individual identities on a deeply intersectional level. 

From the ‘Brown Girls That SCUBA’ movement all the way through to ‘Black Mermaids’- African representation (throughout the diaspora) has been recolouring the recreational and professional dive industries.

So, what happens when you’ve been diving just a little more every month for ten (10) years - would being called an athlete feel out-of-body? NEWF fellow Megan-Rose Francis grapples with this very reality as we speak.

Photo by Helen Walne.

Growing up trying different water sports as a hobby while both her older sisters were both competitive swimmers; freediving was simply something she did when she realised that was her way of relating to water bodies. 

Exploring the ocean had always felt most natural to her. Five years into freediving, she found her place in an ocean community that is supporting her as she delves deeper into her freediving practices. Part of this new season of attuning with her body, includes signing up to compete in the AIDA Freediving World Cup July 2024, hosted in Egypt. 

Embracing being the representation you haven’t seen in a space in your own life when you’ve simply set out to be yourself, can create the perfect storm of imposter syndrome and pressure.

Thankfully, Megan-Rose knows that her journey has never been rooted in competition, but exploration. Now at year ten she’s training to achieve her personal best all the way on the other side of Africa. Not knowing what to expect, this is her opportunity to find out whether she can bring the calm she experiences in Cape Town’s Kelp Forests to the free immersion line running through a deeply personal unknown. And casually surrounded by strangers judging her diving during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life.

Photo by Mogamat Shamier Magmoet.

With a career focused on Nature Conservation, Megan-Rose has always naturally leaned towards a lifestyle and interests that centre around treading more gently on the planet. Her career working for and volunteering with impact organisations and initiatives locked her relationship with nature into high gear. 

Freediving, breath work and using it as a tool for improving her mental health has been a more personal extension of this. A way to connect with the ocean by switching off and being present.

Over more recent years, together with larger intersectional movements that offer community to increasingly diverse groups of female divers in particular, she was quietly finding her stride for herself and what might be possible in her life. Part of that journey has been trying to become more comfortable being herself (while still discovering more about herself) - and much braver about her intentions.

While room for diverse cultural values, skin tones and body types is being created through a beautiful mix of subtle ‘So what?’ and passionate ‘This is me!’ - athletic or competitive spaces still feel inaccessible. Especially given that in this context accessibility still requires you to meet a standard set of industry and competition criteria. 

Photo by Jill Curr.

Why shouldn’t she compete in a fun competition that will challenge her and allow her to immerse in a world she loves? Why shouldn’t she have fun while giving young women who relate to her journey something to feel good about? 

With her trip to compete in Egypt itemised, and with a Back-a-Buddy fundraiser running to support her training, travel and competition equipment she’s trying her best to be consistent and says that realistically this deep journey is one that requires her to stay present when the moment comes. 

To trust her body to do what it always has: show up for her. With her training depth currently at 20m, her long standing training relationship with Nelson Miranda and Nasreen Peer from Argonaut Science has seen her calmly reach new depths at a pace finely tuned with her body and mind. Throughout this journey, she is working towards the 25-30m mark - one breath at a time.  

And even though Megan’s signature bright cozzies will be hidden under a dynamic wetsuit, with not an artistic kelp frond in sight - she knows it’s there… ready with a calm, cheeky wink from however deep her body lets her know it can go. 

Join us in cheering her along on her journey on Instagram, we look forward to sharing her training and preparation leading up to the competition in August 2024. An opportunity to delve more deeply into the world of freediving and Megan’s journey in the deep.

Updates, Monday 09 September 2024:

Megan-Rose made it to Egypt, reached a personal best of 36m and got to compete and explore in her bright cozzie!

Congratulations on awakening new depths and pushing yourself beyond what society and all limiting beliefs presented to you. You are the representation many seek. Here’s to deeper breathes, deeper dives, deeper impact!

Shot and edited by Gino Naidoo