Yumping.- How long have you been in the world of diving?
María March.- I have been practicing this sport for 17 years, and I like it more every day!
And.- Why did you choose this sport?
M.M.- I always loved the sea and nature, I spent hours sailing and swimming, but it never occurred to me to start diving... one day, by chance, I was with my little sister and I saw diving course brochures. I decided to sign up... and until today... (laughs).
And.- Were the beginnings hard?
M.M.- I don't remember it being very hard, I only remember the good parts... (laughs). I took a somewhat anarchic course, which lasted more than a month, and we were going to do a species count in the Cabrera National Park, south of Mallorca... I was fascinated by being able to discover a new world, parallel to ours and that cannot be seen from above. I felt privileged to be "accepted" in this world.
And.- How did you become part of the "Desafío Extremo" team?
M.M.- I met Jesús by chance, we coincided on an expedition to the Geographic North Pole with Ramón Larramendi. There we spent many blizzard hours in the tent, making plans and telling each other adventures. We made a good friendship and put our ideas together… that's how we started working as a team.
And.- What has been the most difficult challenge you have had to face?
M.M.- My biggest challenge is usually when I return from an expedition… adapting again to the cars, the pollution, the stress, the noise… but if you want something specific, I think one of my biggest challenges is It was the cold of the North Pole. A constant temperature of -35º C, very humid, and having nowhere to return to light a fireplace... It was a constant mental challenge of concentration to send heat to the extremities. At first the power of mind is half atrophied, but you can do anything, and little by little you see that it works!
And.- Which dive do you remember most fondly?
M.M.- Every dive is special, I think that every day you learn something new and you have to keep your eyes wide open... you never know what you will see... I always fondly remember the dives in those in which a student overcomes his fears and learns to enjoy the sea.
Y.- What do you prefer? Dive in the open sea or under the ice?
M.M.- I even like diving in a bathtub... but if I have to choose I prefer the open sea. The caves are wonderful and the ice inexplicably attracts me, but the open sea is where the action is…. If I have to choose, I would choose open sea next to the ice pack. And if there were already orcas and penguins... It would be the best! (laughs)
And.- What is cave diving like?
M.M.- It is a complicated and wonderful dive at the same time. It is the most dangerous type of diving of all, but the formations are so spectacular and you feel so small in there that it gives me a huge feeling of peace, peace and deep respect.
And.- What do you think about apnea?
M.M.- Apnea is the best way to control your thoughts and your body. It's a way to relax and truly feel who you are. It is the sensation of feeling free underwater. How to fly.
And.- What are your favorite diving destinations?
M.M.- Uff… what a difficult question… to see action and large pelagics, without a doubt I think Wolf and Darwin's arch in the Galapagos… but for warm waters and marine mammals, large currents and schools of fish and sharks, Rangiroa, in the Tuamotus Islands… Whales in Rurutu; strong currents in Raja Ampat… Cenotes in the Riviera Maya… Seahorses in the Tasman Sea… Sorry! I can't choose... (laughs).
Y.- Although today there are many women who dedicate themselves professionally to some adventure sports, what is it like to work with so many men around? Do you consider it to be a sexist world?
M.M.- The truth is that I am delighted to work among men. I've never had any problems. We had a great time, and I have great friends.
And.- What would you recommend to someone who wants to start diving?
M.M.- I would recommend that you choose a good school and take it easy, in 3 days you cannot learn to dive….
And.- Do you practice other adventure sports?
M.M.- I like all sports, the ones that attract me the most are mountain and snow sports, since I feel an attraction to their whiteness that I cannot explain. Since I was little I dreamed of the great explorers and their exploits. I'm attracted to its purity, its authenticity, its mystery, so backcountry skiing and mountaineering were always there. But not to achieve goals, but to disconnect from the asphalt world and get a little closer to nature. I avoid crowds and places with a lot of people, that's why I usually go to inhospitable and harsh places. I love flying, skydiving is one of my favorite sports… I only have 140 jumps but I plan to dedicate more time to it!
Y. You are an executive producer, translator, interpreter, photographer and diving instructor. Is there anything that María March resists?
M.M.- Oh, I can't tell you that... (laughs)
Y.- You have turned your hobby into your profession and have set up a diving school. What new projects do you have for the future?
M.M.- I have several projects in mind, but I can't tell them yet! For the moment, and until I can consolidate them, my hope is that the diving and water sports school continues to function as it has until now, so that more and more people can know and understand the sea, in order to respect it as it should, it is our planet, our future.
