News
Great White Shark Legend: The Interview, Part 2
Jeff Goodman interviews Ricardo and Rachel Lacombe about their film, Great White Shark Legend
Great White Shark Legend is a well thought out and developed film. It is sensitively filmed and directed as well as being very informative and revelatory in both hard facts as well as emotional content. I talked with Ricardo and Rachel Lacombe about its making.
Rachel Lacombe
Ricardo Lacombe
Read Part 1 here.
Part 2
Jeff: Where there any favourite moments while making the film, and if so, are they in the final product?
Ricardo: It was a lot of hard work, and very long hours, and sometimes harsh weather out there, so sometimes it did feel more like work. Which it was. However, to help you take stock of what you are actually pointing your camera at, nature sometimes threw me a reminder.
One was a breach we captured on film. We never intended this to be what I call “camera porn”. Every year TV shows have to ramp up the technical aspect of things like high frame rate slo-mos and getting cameras into new places. I get it, and understand the TV rational for doing so. But that wasn’t our film. But one thing we HAD to capture well for at least just one shot was a big breach. It’s really challenging to be on a full zoom lens with the boat bobbing around while towing a decoy. It makes you feel motion sick and you need steady legs and steady hands and gear. One tow we had been filming for around 40 minutes and coming to an end with no success when this magnificent breach happened. Shark full out of the water, upside down, flipped around. It happens in a second and I knew it was a stunning breach. No one got it because everyone had tired arms and eyes but I thought I had. I ran back to the cabin and played it back and it was in frame and in focus and I almost cried that I had been able to catch such a display on basic gear. I put the camera down and went out to look at the sea for a while with deep breathes of sea air in my lungs and thought “this is nature and I am humbled to be here”. That’s the shot that introduces our section on breaching in the film. It’s not the most technically exaggerated shot, and it’s no BBC Wildlife competition by any means, but for me it marks what this journey of viewing Great Whites is all about.
Rachel: The really cool thing was getting to spend time and really get to know those who work in the shark industry, which was a privilege. But the real honour is sharing a small boat with other shark advocates, the guests on board. Being in this truly magical place of False Bay and witnessing these displays of awesome nature at work is only heightened by the fact that you get to share that magic with other people. The ASEC guys get this and that’s why we wanted to work with them so much. A great example of this, and a personal favourite of mine, was with a guy from Brazil called Tiago. We had seen him on several trips over a week or two on the boat photographing sharks. He was very reserved and quiet but once we got talking to him (and saw his incredible images) we realised what a passion we shared. We ended up with a night over the dinner table in a local restaurant where we made friends with this awesome guy and then I got to share the cage with him on a few dives, which was beyond incredible, because I knew and understood the person with me watching these sharks swim around us.
Jeff: I remember well the first time I ever dived with sharks – it was exactly two weeks after seeing the movie Jaws. The film did give me a few restless nights but as soon as I got into the water with them (reef sharks, not Great Whites) I was completely relaxed and awed. How was the build up for you to your first dive? What were you thinking and hoping for the first time you climbed into the cage to be underwater and close up to the sharks?
Rachel: I was absolutely terrified. I remember my husband mixed up our first days itinerary (when we went in 2011 on holiday, not the filming!) and we thought we had another day before the first dive, until our guest house owners came to see us to tell us that ASEC had been in touch to confirm that we were good for our dive the next day. Next day?! I lay in bed that night terrified! On the jetty down to the boat the next morning my knees were literally knocking together. I was shaking.
As I climbed into the cage I thought I might die. I was that scared. I still thought it was really dangerous. Once in the water and seeing how relaxed sharks were I relaxed and started to enjoy it and all those misconceptions just disappeared in seconds. I cannot stress this enough. If you believe what is shown to you in popular media, you will discover once out there that what they show you is about 0.5% of what actually occurs. So the build-up was the only fearful part, in my own mind, not the sharks. They were far from scary.
Ricardo: For me it was not so much a fear of sharks, it was a fear of open water. I would not even go beyond knee deep in a lake for a ridiculous fear that something is there. It was always the water though, the expanse of it, the feeling of being out of your element. So the proposition of being out on a boat in the open water was in my mind constantly and it terrified me going out there. The sharks came second to that. Until, like Rachel, we got out there and it all changed. The trip out on that first dive in the early hours of the morning with the sun only just about to peek out behind the mountains was just life changing – before we even saw a shark! The first encounter I had up close was five minutes into the cage. My wife prodded me and motioned to me. I turned to my right and a 4 metre Great White was heading right for the cage, probably confused and unfortunately, briefly, it had its nose in the cage, which is not good for anyone. However, from a fear of open water only hours before I was staring through my dive mask at the open throat of a Great White Shark just half a metre from my face and it was a serene and peaceful moment. Talk about a defining marker in my bond with open water!
Jeff: By the way, what cameras did you shoot particular aspects of the film with?
Ricardo: We used a combination of some Sony HD gear, there’s some shots on Red cameras, there’s some cheap little camcorders, and there’s a ton of GoPro’s! Part of the pitch to get GoPro involved was just how versatile their cameras are and how we could prove we could utilise them to a greater extent for film making, rather than just sports and action activities – so that came with a desire to use them as much as possible. They graced me with the new model that was out at the time, the Hero4 Black, and I shot a ton of stuff in 2k and 1080 60fps. They were amazing! I don’t to focus on gear to be honest and rarely discuss in detail unless I have to, because having used everything from the most expensive cameras to the cheapest cameras I am well versed in plenty of hardware….but to get too involved in gear I find can be intimidating for new film makers and students. There’s a misconception that you have to have the best of the best but it depends on what you are filming. That’s why I loved hooking up with GoPro and it’s been a fruitful relationship since. These tiny cameras open up a world for film makers, especially divers, if you can just get past the peer snobbery which exists way too much. A game changer for me was when the documentary “Searching For Sugarman” won the Best Documentary Oscar and there’s was a load of material in that film shot on a phone! So gear talk is cool in some respects but get your story in place and the gear is not that important. Underwater film makers are currently turning off and calling me names by the way which is fine, I can take it!
Jeff: The film version I saw ran for 94 minutes, which is quite a long time for a documentary. What determined its length?
Ricardo: It’s a longer time for a TV broadcasted documentary but not for the modern indie feature documentary, which was always our intent. We never intended it for TV, largely because of the running time restrictions. The length was always a discussion between us, as we started with many weeks’ worth of footage and once pieced together against our original structure it ran at approx. 4 hours! Obviously that had to come down. We got down to 2 hours, then a 1hr 40mins cut and then a final trim down to 94mins.
We would normally determine a running time by the needs of the story but in this case we had such a different need from our potential audiences. For the shark nuts out there we know full well a 2 hour cut would have been heaven to bring in a ton more debate, discussion and more shark footage. But a more casual viewer, who we desperately wanted to appeal to, would turn off. So the running time and structure is a balance of the two. At some point you have to draw a line and say “it’s done” and put it out there as a piece. We get so many reactions from “wish you had put more in” to “you put too much in” and somewhere in between!
Rachel: As ever I am always quite critical of Ricardo’s work! That’s how we work. If I wasn’t happy I said so, much to my husband’s disappointment. In the end he always agreed with me, even if it took him a week to come round to it. He would get completely stoked about a particular section or interview and I would be more objective about it as I was not the editor, I hadn’t spent the last week working on a ten minute section. So we really made a great team as we both had different audiences in mind and how much of each topic they would be interested in. Like Ricardo said, the intention was always to make a feature documentary. We have had broadcast offers, which would require getting down to 60 minutes or less, which would never work for us. Sadly, so many of those offers asked for more blood and guts and teeth and could we add more in. Clearly that was not for us.
Come back for the 3rd and final part of Jeff’s interview with Ricardo and Rachel next week!
Haven’t seen Great White Shark Legend yet? You can buy or rent it at www.greatwhitesharklegend.com.
Welcome to Day 5 of Scubaverse.com’s week-long Christmas Gift Guide!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special scuba diver in your life? Read on for Team Scubaverse’s pick of this season’s must-have Christmas gifts.
Every day this week, we are publishing a special Christmas Gift Guide full of different gift ideas that are all ideal for divers, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect. Take a look at today’s selection below…
SlipIns DiveSkins
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
DiveSkins are perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, surfing, and all water sports. It shows up beautifully in pictures under water.
This tight-fitting, tailored lycra suit offers maximum comfort. stretchy, breathable, fast-drying fabric with the world’s best sun and stinger protection.
SlipIns are:
*Ultimate 50+ UPF sun protection
*Abrasion protection.
*Quick dry, breathable, soft fabric
*The ultimate stinging critter protection
Save 10% on your order if you mention you saw this ad in Scubaverse in your order note!
SAVE YOUR SKIN…WEAR OUR SKINS
Team@slipins.com / www.slipins.com / SlipIns Facebook / SlipIns Instagram / SlipIns Pinterest
Diving Books from Miflex Hoses
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
We stock a great range of Diving & Underground book titles, ideal to add to any order or simply buy as a gift for a friend.
Titles we have include:
Shipwrecks of the Dover Straits, Adventures Underground, Pioneers Beneath the Peak, Dive Truk Lagoon, Underwater Potholer, Images Below & many more.
From Authors including:
Stefan Panis, Martyn Farr, Duncan Price, Ron Young, Rod Macdonald, Chris Howes
Visit our website for more details.
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
OrcaTorch D710 Dive Light – now available in pink!
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Scubapro Luna 2 AI Dive Computer
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
SCUBAPRO, the world’s premier manufacturer of high-quality scuba diving equipment, introduces its second generation Luna 2.0, an easy-to-read, intuitive dive computer loaded with easy-to-use features and available in two versions, the Luna 2.0 and Luna 2.0 AI with wireless air integration.
Designed for new and casual recreational divers, the low-profile Luna 2.0 sits comfortably on the wrist. Its oil-filled plastic housing helps ensure reliable performance to depths of 120 meters. A large widescreen display features a high-contrast black and white matrix-segment LCD with full-sized characters for easy reading in all dive conditions. An intuitive menu and simple two-button interface lets the diver navigate the system with ease, aided by clearly marked screen prompts. The LUNA 2.0 offers two algorithms – Predictive Multi-Gas Bühlmann ZH-L16 ADT MB PMG or ZH-L16 + GF PURE, plus 21-50% nitrox compatibility and three selectable gasses for open circuit diving. Three dive modes are available – Scuba, Apnea and Gauge – to suit a range of diving activities.
The Luna 2.0 AI (air integrated) offers the same easy-to-use features and functions as the standard Luna 2.0 plus adds wireless air integration. This not only enables to easily monitor ythe tank pressure, it also provides true remaining bottom time (RBT) and allows the air consumption to be factored into the decompression calculation. Also available with the Luna 2.0 AI is an optional integrated heart rate monitor that lets visually track the heart rate and skin temperature to help staying in the personal target zone.
Both Luna 2.0 models include personalized dive management functions like PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) which calculates an intermediate stop based on N2 loading, current and previous dives and breathing mixes, and Microbubble levels that give the option to adjust the level of conservatism in the algorithm to match the individual experience level, age and physical conditioning for a more enjoyable dive.
The soft silicone arm strap offers a comfortable fit on the wrist, plus bungee mounts on the corners of the housing allow for alternate attachment methods. A Bluetooth Low Energy interface enables the download of the dive data to any iOS or Android device or PC/Mac (firmware can be user-updated), and the CR2450 battery is rated for up to two years or 300 dives.
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
35% off Red Sea Liveaboard Scuba Scene in Spring 2025
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Embark on the ultimate diving adventure aboard the Scuba Scene, the luxury liveaboard offering an unforgettable Red Sea experience. Known for its exceptional service, safety, comfort, and world-class dive sites, Scuba Scene is the ideal choice for divers of all levels.
Dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, and awe-inspiring shipwrecks. From the stunning Ras Mohammed National Park to the famous Thistlegorm wreck, Scuba Scene brings you to the heart of the Red Sea’s best sites. With spacious cabins, gourmet dining, and a dedicated crew that ensures every detail is perfect, this liveaboard guarantees relaxation and adventure in equal measure.
Now is the perfect time to book! Save a massive 35% on any sailing between 3rd March and 28th April 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or taking your first plunge, Scuba Scene promises an experience you’ll cherish forever.
Don’t miss this chance to dive the Red Sea in style and at an incredible price. Book your adventure today!
Tel: 0800 699 0243
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Welcome to Day 4 of Scubaverse.com’s week-long Christmas Gift Guide!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special scuba diver in your life? Read on for Team Scubaverse’s pick of this season’s must-have Christmas gifts.
Every day this week, we are publishing a special Christmas Gift Guide full of different gift ideas that are all ideal for divers, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect. Take a look at today’s selection below…
Thalassas Ocean-Inspired Apparel
support@thalassas.com / www.thalassas.com / Thalassas Facebook / Thalassas Instagram / Thalassas tiktok
Dive into comfort and style with Thalassas! Featuring T-shirts, hats, leggings and more, each piece is designed to bring the tranquillity and beauty of the sea to your everyday life. Whether you’re lounging by the coast or exploring city streets, our gear has you covered.
Your purchase has a purpose! A portion of every sale supports beach cleanup initiatives and organizations.
HOLIDAY BUNDLE PRICING STARTS NOVEMBER 18th!
This holiday season, we’re offering bundle discounts on our best-selling tees, hats, and leggings! Mix and match to create your perfect set – and enjoy savings when you buy more. It’s the perfect time to stock up on ocean vibes for yourself or the diver in your life.
🌊 Holiday Bundle Discounts: Save More When You Buy More! 🌊
Don’t miss out, these deals won’t last long! FREE SHIPPING on all orders in the USA.
support@thalassas.com / www.thalassas.com / Thalassas Facebook / Thalassas Instagram / Thalassas tiktok
XDEEP Navy Signature Hoodie
info@nautilus.uk / XDEEP on nautilus.uk / www.xdeep.eu / XDEEP on Facebook
The long-awaited XDEEP Signature hoodie is finally available! Apart from being super-trendy, it’s also quality stuff: made in EU of 100% premium cotton with solid japan-made YKK metal zippers.
The main features of this stylish hoodie are the following:
– 100% cotton
– Strong metal zipper
– High-quality print
– Made in EU
Furthermore, all XDEEP hoodies and t-shirts (including fabric) are manufactured in EU using top quality 100% cotton.
The XDEEP Signature Hoodie is perfect for keeping warm and looking trendy at the same time.
To find out more about XDEEP products, visit www.xdeep.eu.
Nautilus are the distributor for XDEEP and other leading dive equipment brands in the UK. Find out more about Nautilus brands at nautilus.uk/our-brands.
info@nautilus.uk / Buy in the UK / www.xdeep.eu / XDEEP on Facebook
Oceanarium Regulator Bags & Octo Holders
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Oceanarium.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
Oceanarium products offer great gifts for all lovers of life underwater, including unique designs of regulator bags, octopus holders, gear tags & cloak towels.
This range brings fun & enjoyment to your dive making your kit distinctive.
Check out the very popular regulator bags available in 6 designs, including the Oceanarium Whaleshark design, as well as the two new designs of Octopus Holders; Pygmy Seahorse & Jellyfish.
Buy a Christmas gift for a friend and make them smile… Diving is Fun!
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Oceanarium.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
Fourth Element Pelagic Dive Watch
info@fourthelement.com / fourthelement.com / Fourth Element Facebook / Fourth Element Instagram / Fourth Element tiktok / Fourth Element YouTube
The Pelagic dive watch from fourth element combines British design with Swiss-craftmanship in a hand-built automatic watch which captures the essence of classic scuba-diving timepieces.
Named after the vast reaches of the open ocean, the Pelagic combines exceptional craftmanship with high-specification engineering. Designed in the UK and hand-built in Switzerland, it is rated to a depth of 500m. The Pelagic features a stunning automatic movement, seen through the sapphire crystal glass case back, powered by a Swiss made precision self-winding movement. This is a watch suitable for the most extreme environments on Planet Earth.
The Pelagic has a brushed stainless-steel case with the choice of 22mm silicone/rubber strap or stainless-steel bracelet. It features a helium escape valve, positioned at 9 o’clock ensuring that this watch is even equipped for saturation diving. The watch features a unidirectional black ceramic bezel, allowing maximum dive times to be planned, luminous hands and markers and date function.
Design detailing includes ‘fourth element’ engraved on the rotor, buckle (on the silicon/rubber strap version) or clasp (on the brushed stainless-steel version). The crown features the fourth element icon representing the four elements earth, air fire and water.
The Pelagic watch is packaged using only recycled materials (recycled PET) and FSC certified paper and card, demonstrating fourth element’s continued commitment to its OceanPositive mission.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
– Movement: 26 Jewel Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic with hacking function
– Water resistance: 500m / 1640ft
– Helium escape valve: 9 o’clock
– Crown: screw down locking
– Case width: 44mm
– Case thickness: 14mm
– Shatter and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
– Lug to lug: 52mm
– Case material: 316l brushed stainless steel
– Bezel: 120-click unidirectional with black ceramic insert
– Swiss Super-LumiNova C3 on markers and hands
– Strap: 22mm silicone/rubber strap or brushed stainless steel bracelet
– Warranty: 2 years
– Swiss made
RRP: GBP £1475 / USD $1975 / EUR €1795 / AUD $2950 / CAD $2595
info@fourthelement.com / fourthelement.com / Fourth Element Facebook / Fourth Element Instagram / Fourth Element tiktok / Fourth Element YouTube
Nautilus Seascape Mask & Clamshell Case
info@nautilus.uk / nautilus.uk / Seascape Mask on nautilus.uk / Nautilus on Facebook
The Nautilus Seascape single lens mask builds on the experience of proven design with the latest technology.
The ultra soft liquid silicone skirt and strap ensure this frameless mask gives the best fit whilst ensuring a wide 120 degree field of vision.
The antislip buckles means the strap stays where set it and the ultra clear, high vision tempered glass means virtually all light passes through to your eyes.
A substantial nose pocket means that equalising is a joy and that, combined with comfort, makes this the ideal mask for most divers.
To find your nearest Nautilus dealer, click here.
info@nautilus.uk / nautilus.uk / Seascape Mask on nautilus.uk / Nautilus on Facebook
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