Below the Surface

Below the surface is a personal project started 18 months ago, documenting a group of open water swimmers in Melbourne, Australia.
The Brunswick Belugas.

Most train squad at the local pool during during the week, and open water races during summer, but it was this weekly swim at Williamstown Beach in Port Phillip Bay that caught my attention.

Every Saturday morning, a group of swimmers gather just after sunrise and swim out to certain markers such as 'pointy rock, the red roof, the footy pole or harbour master’. Return trips range from 1.5 - 3.5kms.
In summer, there can be as many as 35 ‘Belugas’ enjoying a beautiful start to the weekend. Warmer waters mean the end of wetsuits and enables a longer swim. Winter brings icy temperature drops (as low as 9 degrees celsius). Some brave souls incredibly still choose to swim without a wetsuit. Even for those who do wear neoprene, there is still face freeze and numb exposed limbs to deal with. Even teeth can start to feel cold!

Beyond a love of the water, I'm interested in the people of the Belugas and exploring why they do what they do.

For many, the weekly swim it is a spiritual experience, just like going to church but worshipping at the alter of mother nature. Coming together as a community, being immersed in water akin to a baptism and feeling renewed. Taking care and looking out for each other while in the ocean, as you would in the community. After the swim is over, coming together over warm drinks and light hearted and at times heart felt conversation.

Initially swimming was the ritual for me, however, photographing the swimming became the ritual. Whether it was documenting the frenetic action in the water or these quieter portraits below, I was photographing something I loved and felt connected to.
This group of people and the connectedness through shared experience feels significant.

Lifelong bonds are being formed, and that to me feels special.
Worthy of being captured and celebrated.