Diving into the freezing cold murky depths wouldn’t be for everyone. But for Siri Østvold, an environmental activist and freediver, who once sailed from Hawaii to Canada just for a cold dip, it’s her lifeline. She talks letting go, the joys of winter bathing and that time she went swimming with a whale
Ocean adventurer and Norwegian champion freediver Siri Østvold has sailed the world’s seas in search of adventure, surf spots and salty air. Now she’s turning her attention to how people can gain a closer relationship with nature and protect the water that she loves.
What brought you to freediving?
I always loved the water. I spent my childhood summers on sailing boats with my family, along the coastline of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I loved being in the water swimming and looking at the animals and the different creatures along the coastline. My dad gave me a snorkel mask when I was four, and it all started from there.
I went into freediving thinking that I would be looking at animals and enjoying the beautiful things under the surface, but I soon realised it is more about the inner journey and about going inside yourself. It opens up a new world about understanding myself and how my body and mind work. I learn how to mentally prepare and how to open up. Freediving gives me tools I use on land in my daily life because it’s a lot about how you approach something mentally.
As well as freediving, I’m also a trained breathology instructor. I’m learning about how breathing is part of performance and healthy living, and in these stressful times, how it can really help others perform and live better.
How does it feel to be so deep underwater?
You have to be super present. This is a place where you can’t take your past or future with you. You come into this other zone where you are just being. At these depths, if you are mentally stressed, it will show. You can’t be thinking about what happens next or what has gone before. You can’t hide from your feelings either: you have to be super relaxed and super present.
I always have a diving buddy – that’s the first rule of diving – and we have a protocol and routine, so there is always someone looking out for you. Safety is a key thing in this sport. There are things that can happen so you always follow a routine. For many people, going deep under the water means your body has to adapt, and your mind too. As long as you do that and always dive with a buddy, it’s safe.
What’s the most exciting experience you’ve had underwater?
I went swimming with a huge bull orca whale in the north of Norway. It was cruising around a fishing boat and I got into the water as it swam. At one point it turned around and approached me. It looked me right in the eye. It was a very humbling experience. I was floating in the water and I just surrendered to it: he was the boss there, there’s no doubt. He cruised past several times. It was an incredible experience. I felt full of love.
Photo: Maskinen AS & Sebastian Bjerkvik for tusenogendag.no
How is the ocean changing?
As I’ve been enjoying the coastlines, snorkelling, surfing, freediving and travelling around the world, I’ve seen some of the negative impacts we have as humans on the planet. One of the most visual is plastic pollution. I’ve sailed across the Pacific Ocean through the great Pacific garbage patch on a scientific research trip and seen it first-hand.
I find it interesting to talk to local people and fishermen and hear their stories, to understand the changes they’re seeing over time. When you travel more and more and go into it in detail, it’s devastating. But I have hope: it’s a human-made problem, and something that we as humans can change.
How can we make a difference?
We need to look at how we can live more in tune with nature. We are becoming more aware of the things happening on land because we can see them; what’s happening under the surface is not so visible but it’s suffering a crazy decline.
I work with innovation and sustainability as a branding consultant and I see something interesting: we need to change something in our core to make a difference. We have to understand how we connect with nature, and how we relate to it as people.
Where’s your favourite spot to dive?
I learned to dive in Tenerife – I’d recommend it. It’s also easy to access from all over Scandinavia. There’s something I always like to say: if you’re near water, just go out in it. Warmer water is more comfortable to dive in, but you’ll have a good experience wherever you are. We have such a beautiful coastline in Scandinavia: go for a cold swim without a suit, or take a good wetsuit, gloves and booties, and you’ll enjoy it for sure.