Went to Dominica to photograph the Blue Element freediving competition

Never been there before and needed someone to point out where it is

Turns out Dominica is gorgeous

even at night

and especially under the sea

the water is 29 degrees -warm enough to train without a suit

the rain is impressive

and causes dozens of magnificent waterfalls

which are very energising and make for great backdrops

also underwater

giving us all our glamour moments. That's the organiser, Johnny

seen here in more official attire 

he managed it so well he even got some of his own dives in

and he coached 

he also championed the idea of a separate bi-fins comp, which got me on a bi-fin photo kick

Here's Kalindi showing perfect technique

Sofia cruising

and Sofia on her way down to an (unofficial) world record, 83 meters.

Johanna had a cool pair of fins and the best tights to match

and Sofia went cruising again after her record

Dominica really lends itself to underwater exploration, with massive natural structures

I also got a bit visually obsessed with Georgina's new blue fin

Sofia tried it, loved it, but thought it was a bit soft

but that didn't stop George from doing PB's with it

plus it contrasted nicely with the ocean floor

That's really what it looked like! Dominica is very active geologically, and gas keep bubbling up from the ocean bed

so it looks like an aquarium

it is extremely colourful there anyway

some of the athletes brought some extra colour

as did the judges

all f it warm, with plenty of sunshine

though at depth, on overcast days, it's all a bit less bright (am thinking about turning this shot into a clock)

tried some B&W shots

But when Sofia sticks out her tongue during a continental record, it's better to show it's pink

and I fell in love a bit with Dominica's blue

it is basked in golden light

and stays quite mellow

even at depth

the rays just want to play there

so we played along. The platform, besides functioning very well, was an excellent place to play under

or just to hang out

it attracted loads of little fish

to which I lost my focus for a bit

also distracting: the surf

as invigorating as the waterfalls!

so yes, Dominica was much loved by free divers

hope to be back next year!