Wairarapa freediver inspires artist sister

Denise Batchelor and her brother Vaughan Robertson.

A video artist is creating a body of work inspired by her older brother who has spent more than 40 years freediving off the Wairarapa coast for paua.

Denise Batchelor grew up watching her brother, Vaughan Robertson, disappearing under the waves and began thinking about using his experiences for the project during a residency at the NZ Pacific Studio at Mt Bruce last year.

The 53-year-old is one of seven artists selected from around the world to take part in Deep Anatomy, a cultural programme running alongside the Vertical Blue competition, the "Wimbledon of freediving" held in the Bahamas at the end of the month and founded by freediving world champion Kiwi William Trubridge.

"Vaughan is definitely the inspiration for the project One Breath," said Batchelor.
Her artwork will focus on breath and the holding of breath - which is fundamental to freediving - and use Vaughan's 40 years of experience as well as stories from freedivers at the competition.

"I'm interested in observing all the different kinds of free diving.
"My work is about reconnecting with nature, the natural environment ... this is a great opportunity."

Batchelor has already started gathering footage in Wairarapa and said she would be Skyping her brother while in the Bahamas.

"I'm going to be eliciting lots of stories, because I want to connect the two."
"The final project will contain video footage, audio, and story telling. I'm not sure in what exact form yet."

She is hoping to hold an exhibition in Wairarapa next year using some of the work.

Robertson, who has just turned 65, has made a career freediving for paua "from Turakirae Head right up to Cape Turnagain".

Freedivers dive underwater without the use of a breathing apparatus.

He said he often gets asked how long he can hold his breath.

"I haven't timed it but I have taken three people out with me who thought I'd drowned."

Robertson said he felt comfortable underwater and had always wanted to "dive into the deep blue water and do it for a living. I like the serenity when you dive into the sea."

Sometimes he's had to "braille dive" feeling with his hands to collect paua and has had close calls - he was bitten by a seal while diving in a colony near Ocean Beach.

"A seal pup had come over and we'd play, I'd chase him, he'd chase me and I got away with it."
"But one day I went down, we're playing together and before I knew it I was upside down. It was crystal clear water, a beautiful day; I lost all my paua.
"I turned the other way round and the seal mother had her teeth right into my suit.
"It didn't pull the flesh but it drew blood and I ended up in Wellington Hospital.
"Since that day I've never played with the pups, as cute as they are."

Robertson said it was definitely not an easy job.

"The elements themselves have been our biggest threat.
"I've been caught in some terrible storms and haven't been able to make it back."

He's been rescued by chopper and has had two boats sink, even spent a night out at sea waiting until daylight for help.

"I've seen a lot, there are lots of stories."

His sister has started a fundraising campaign to help her with the costs of the trip.
To help out, see www.boosted.org.nz/projects/one-breath