My story
Stories from the water
By Tania Panés
From holding my breath as a child in Ibiza to leading small groups in Mexico, Dominica, Egypt and the Maldives.
A story that begins in Ibiza
My relationship with the ocean began in childhood summers in Ibiza. Long before I knew freediving was a sport, I was already playing at holding my breath and snorkelling for hours, looking for animals. That curiosity, more than any number, is still what takes me into the water.
From athlete to expedition leader
Freediving became my profession: I trained, competed for Spain and became a freediving instructor. Over time I wanted to share the sea rather than only measure myself against it, and that led me to design and guide small-group expeditions with Beyond the Blue. Today I live in La Ventana, Baja California Sur.
What changes when you lead a group?
As an athlete, the focus is your own breath and your own limits. As a leader, attention moves to the sea, the people around you and the animals. In Magdalena Bay that means long, active days in open water; in Dominica it means following local regulations and licensed local crews; in Egypt some departures are accompanied by a trusted guide. You can read each setting on its own expedition page.
Sharing the water, also with brands and media
Part of my work is telling these stories beyond the boat: with brands whose products I use in the water, and with media, podcasts and events interested in freediving, ocean respect and risk management. If that is your project, the Collaborations page explains how we can work together.