Read about the amazing work Roy Mauritsen does to change attitudes towards sharks, and how Insta360 cameras help him share these incredible experiences with those around him.
Everyone has to have a hobby, right? Roy's happens to be diving with sharks. Already an experienced SCUBA diver and occasional shark diver, he wanted to bring a more inclusive experience to diving with sharks in their natural environment.
His 360º camera journey started in 2019 when he brought the ONE X—a true Insta360 OG—and his chain mesh "shark suit" to Freeport Bahamas to dive with famed Shark conservationist, Christina Zenato.
In the past, Roy had tried other "360 type" cameras on dives, but the limited quality after a cage dive with Great Whites in Guadalupe Mexico left him disappointed. Insta360 ONE X, on the other hand, captured the true, immersive experience of being surrounded by Caribbean reef sharks as he hand-fed them at a depth of 50ft (164m). But it went beyond just the thrill of diving with sharks—thanks to Insta360, he could share these experiences in a unique and immersive way.
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"I can record my shark dive experiences in 360º, not only to find those cool moments or exciting stills, but I can put a 360º video on a VR headset and share my shark dive experience as if one was right there in the water with them."
Sharing these dives on a VR headset is more than just a gimmick. Firstly, it brings a unique underwater world to people who would normally not have the opportunity to actually go SCUBA diving, whether it's something they've not had a chance to do or physically aren't able to do. Roy shared his Caribbean reef shark dive with his elderly father, an experience the two of them could share, despite only one of them having been in the water.
"He sat there with a VR headset on his face and must have watched the entire dive a dozen times over. He and I did not have much in common in our years, but being able to share this experience with him, even virtually, was special. He would pass away a few short years later."
Secondly, it's a great opportunity for education—to see what it's really like to dive among sharks, and not a Hollywood version. 360º video opened a door for Roy to share and educate people, including some SCUBA divers who won't dive with sharks.
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"Shark conservation is important, protecting marine ecosystems. And the more people understand the role sharks play in a marine ecosystem, perhaps the less scary they might seem. I'm just a regular guy, I have limited resources and a small reach on social media platforms. But I have an Insta360 camera to use on my shark dives."
Regular guy or not, these videos have on many occasions changed some people's minds about how they view sharks.
ONE X was only the start of the journey for Roy, and pretty quickly he started to collect more of Insta360's lineup. Insta360 X3 and Insta360 Ace Pro made their debut at Tiger Beach with huge tiger sharks, Insta360 Ace Pro resurfaced this summer to meet whale sharks in Cancun, Mexico, and in early November, it was off to Bimini Bahamas with filmmaker Andy Casagrande to meet some Great Hammerheads with Insta360 Ace Pro 2, Insta360 Ace Pro and X3. During his most recent dive trip, Roy was able to work with Insta360 X4, a camera he doesn't personally own ( yet!), and the improvement in image and video quality was immediately clear.
While that footage is still being processed, it will no doubt end up on a VR headset! The versatility and the ability to revisit and explore all of that footage long after the dives are over is just another aspect of Insta360's cameras that make these Roy's go-to choice.
"I now do all my shark dives exclusively with Insta360 —love that AquaVision setting! I would definitely want to up my game and get an X4 to use for my next shark diving trip back at Tiger Beach in 2025."
Through Insta360 cameras and the moments they capture, divers like Roy can share immersive experiences with people who may not be able to travel.
"I love these cameras, as it gives me the ability to share these unique and inspiring perspectives. I need to show what it's like to be around sharks for real... It gives people the chance to see the underwater world as a virtual SCUBA diver and meet these majestic and often misunderstood creatures, and maybe change a mind or two about sharks."
You can experience Roy's dives for yourself on his YouTube (@rmdragon2) and Instagram (@rmdragon). We can't wait to see the incredible footage from Bimini Bahamas!
This article was submitted to Insta360 Community Stories by Roy Mauritsen. Got a story to share? Email yours to communitystories@insta360.com and win up to US$50! Learn more here.
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