Yumping.- How long have you been in the diving world?
María March.- I've been practising this sport for 17 years, and I love it more every day!
Y.- Why did you choose this sport?
M.M.- I’ve always loved the sea and nature—I spent hours sailing and swimming, but it never occurred to me to start diving… until one day, by chance, I was with my little sister and saw leaflets for diving courses. I decided to sign up… and here I am… (laughs).
Y.- Were the beginnings tough?
M.M.- I don’t remember it being very hard—I only remember the good parts… (laughs). I took a slightly unconventional course that lasted over a month, and we went to count species in Cabrera National Park, south of Mallorca… I was fascinated by discovering a new world, parallel to ours, one you can’t see from above. I felt privileged to be "accepted" into this world.
Y.- How did you end up joining the 'Desafío Extremo' team?
M.M.- I met Jesús by chance—we crossed paths on an expedition to the Geographic North Pole with Ramón Larramendi. There, we spent many hours in the tent during blizzards, making plans and sharing adventures. We became good friends and combined our ideas… that’s how we started working as a team.
Y.- What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced?
M.M.- My biggest challenge is usually returning from an expedition… readjusting to cars, pollution, stress, noise… But if you want something specific, I think one of my greatest challenges was the cold of the North Pole. A constant -35°C, very humid, with nowhere to retreat and light a fire… It was a constant mental challenge to focus on sending warmth to my extremities. At first, your mental power feels half-dormant, but you can do it—and little by little, you see it working!
Y.- Which dive do you remember most fondly?
M.M.- Every dive is special—I think you learn something new every day, and you have to keep your eyes wide open… you never know what you’ll see… I always cherish the dives where a student overcomes their fears and learns to enjoy the sea.
Y.- What do you prefer? Open-water diving or under-ice diving?
M.M.- I’d dive in a bathtub if I could… but if I had to choose, I’d pick open water. Caves are marvellous, and ice draws me inexplicably, but open water is where the action is… If I had to choose, I’d pick open water next to an ice shelf. And if there were orcas and penguins… That’d be the dream! (laughs)
Y.- What’s cave diving like?
M.M.- It’s complicated and wonderful at the same time. It’s the most dangerous type of diving, but the formations are so spectacular, and you feel so tiny inside… It gives me an immense sense of peace—peace and deep respect.
Y.- What do you think of freediving?
M.M.- Freediving is the best way to control your thoughts and your body. It’s a way to relax and truly feel what you are. It’s the sensation of feeling free underwater. Like flying.
Y.- What are your favourite diving destinations?
M.M.- Wow… tough question… For action and large pelagic species, I’d say Wolf and Darwin’s Arch in the Galápagos… but for warm waters and marine mammals, strong currents, and schools of fish and sharks, Rangiroa in the Tuamotus… 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.- Though many women now work professionally in adventure sports, what’s it like working with so many men around? Do you think it’s a male-dominated world?
M.M.- Honestly, I love working with men. I’ve never had any issues. We have a great time, and I’ve made some amazing friends.
Y.- What would you recommend to someone starting out in diving?
M.M.- I’d recommend choosing a good school and taking it slow—you can’t learn to dive in three days…
Y.- Do you practise other adventure sports?
M.M.- I love all sports, but mountain and snow sports attract me most—I feel an inexplicable pull towards their whiteness. Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of great explorers and their feats. I’m drawn to their purity, authenticity, and mystery, so ski touring and mountaineering have always been there. Not to achieve goals, but to disconnect from the asphalt world and get closer to nature. I avoid crowds and busy places, so I often go to remote, harsh locations. I love flying—skydiving is one of my favourite sports… I’ve only done 140 jumps, but I plan to dedicate more time to it!
Y.- You’re an executive producer, translator, interpreter, photographer, and diving instructor. Is there anything María March can’t do?
M.M.- Oh, I can’t tell you that… (laughs)
Y.- You’ve turned your hobby into your profession and set up a dive school. What new projects do you have for the future?
M.M.- I have several projects in mind, but I can’t reveal them yet! For now, until I can solidify them, my dream is for the dive and water sports school to keep running as it is—so more and more people can understand and respect the sea as they should. It’s our planet, our future.
