Katherine Wallis | Photographer | Project Coordinator | South Africa

StorytellerAfrica

26 Aug

Currently, Katherine is a project coordinator for the ‘I AM WATER’ foundation, who provide people with incredible ocean experiences to facilitate physical and emotional connections to the aquatic environment, build understanding of the interdependence of healthy humans and healthy oceans, and to influence behaviours to protect our global seas. Every day Katherine helps protect the ocean and educate young minds.

Her own experiences have driven her activism in ocean conservation, and she helps people to discover their own personal connection to the underwater world.

“The many beautiful blue adventures I have had all helped mould a true passion for the ocean and all of its inhabitants.”

What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?

Some of my earliest memories include snorkelling in the warm waters of the East Coast of South Africa, later moving to the UAE and exploring the diversity found there. I had snorkelled with reef sharks, turtles and huge swarms of jellyfish all before the age of 15! The many beautiful blue adventures I have had, all helped mould a true passion for the ocean and all of its inhabitants.

What/who currently inspires you?

I am inspired by the experiences I have in nature.

What path did you choose after leaving school?

I studied a BSc in Marine Biology when I left school.

What do you value most in life?

Family always, and the power sharing knowledge and stories.

What brings you the most joy?

The feeling of being completely held by the ocean. Diving down just a few meters, your body takes on a sense of weightlessness and the blue surrounds you entirely. This feeling of being simultaneously completely surrounded and supported by the ocean fills me with joy.

The natural world should be something that every person can enjoy and learn from, however so many are cut off or only have very limited access to nature. If I could change one thing about the world it would be to create more opportunities for every person to access nature.

What legacy do you hope to leave?

I would love to leave a legacy of encouraging people to share and receive knowledge and stories with an open mind.