Redefine your limits
When I’m old and grey, and finally get around to writing ‘that’ book, there will be a chapter designated to the best times of my life. Within those stories of love and laughter, there will be the tale of the mermaid: the woman with the golden hair who swam with us to the bottom of the ocean and opened our eyes to the beauty of life under the sea. Words by Lauren Barker you travel to the Caribbean next year, more precisely the balmy waters of Turks and Caicos, do not be surprised if you come face-to-face with a marine mammal of a different kind. Dressed in her trademark silver wetsuit and monofin, British-Caymanian world champion freediver Tanya Streeter can be spotted exploring underwater life off the shore of the exclusive Amanyara resort. In February each year, to coincide with the annual whale migration season, the world record-holder teaches, inspires and dives with guests. Streeter’s journey into the world of freediving started almost by accident, as a child growing up on the small Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. “I was snorkeling all through my teen years and didn’t realise that technically I was freediving,” she says. “It wasn’t until I was in my early 20s and snorkeling to around 25 metres that somebody said, ‘You’re a pretty good freediver – you should take that up’. It was then I realised how strong my connection to the sea was and that I was able to push myself in that environment.” It is no surprise then that the Caribbean’s coral gardens, once her playground as a child and proving ground as a young adult, hold an emotional connection for Streeter. It was near the islands of Turks and Caicos that she, in 2002, broke the ‘no limits’ freediving record with a depth of 160 metres – smashing the men’s record. It was also the last dive of her career. Streeter retired from the sport almost two years ago, ending a career that earned her nine world records and an induction into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. We meet the blonde bombshell boarding
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the small boat that is to take our group out to sea for our first freediving lesson. I recently watched a BBC documentary where the 38-year-old swims serenely alongside whales, a vision of beauty and perfection, and for a second I wonder if I will exhibit any of her grace underwater. One by one we make our way off the end of the boat and into the ocean. A giant barracuda looms nearby. I swim towards the drop rope that is dangling into the dark depths below. I glance nervously at Streeter who offers a reassuring smile. ‘Redefine my limits. Redefine my limits. Redefine me limits.’ It has become my new mantra thanks to the freediver. Despite a spinal fusion at age 13 and a surgeon who said she would never do sport and should take up piano instead, she is living proof that anything is possible. With that thought, I take a deep breath and swim down, using the rope to pull myself deeper into the ocean. Our instructor can hold her breath for six minutes and 17 seconds. I last just 20 seconds as pain pierces my eardrums in my attempt to equalise. My natural instinct to breathe air kicks in and, panic stricken, I fight my way to the surface. I try again. As I get deeper, Tanya glides alongside me, watching me, guiding me. I float to the surface and a huge grin takes over my entire face. The feeling of exhilaration is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. A few hours later, following a scrumptious Japanese-style lunch at the villa, our group is back on the water – this time kitted up in scuba gear. Considering I have only ever snorkeled once in my life, I feel the fear. With the beauty and serenity I would
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