Guess what I do!

Meet three inspiring women who followed their unlikely passions – and haven’t looked back

- ASHTON KIRSTEN

‘ I PHOTOGRAPH NATURE’S EXOTIC UNDERWATER GARDENS’

HELEN WALNE, 48, lives in Claremont with her husband and their two rescue dogs. She is an author, copy editor, and freediver pursuing underwater photography.

“I grew up with a deep fear of and respect for the sea. At six years old, I was caught in a typical Indian Ocean swell and grated up against the Durban pier. Then, much later, I lost my brother, Richard, to the sea when he drowned just off the coast of False Bay. It’s strange to think that the ocean once caused me so much anxiety because it’s where I now find total solace.

After Richard died, I started swimming lengths in the local public pool – for exercise and as a way to help me deal with my loss. The repetition of the strokes was soothing and I relished the feeling of weightlessness in the water. I became quite fit, then hesitantly joined a group of swimmers who swim the length of Camps Bay every Sunday morning.

At first, the swims were tough, but I came to love moving through the icy Atlantic Ocean and would often lag behind during group swims. I wanted to savor the experience and, more importantly, explore the mysterious kelp forests just below the water’s surface. These underwater gardens fascinated me, so I borrowed my husband’s GoPro camera for my next swim. I came away with really interesting shots, showcasing the bold colors and various textures and shapes of life underwater. To explore these more seriously, I bought a second-hand weight belt, snorkel, goggles and flippers and set out.