Special Live Panel: The Future of Freediving

Join Maddison Woollard and special guests to discuss the diversity of freediving and how it can mean different things to different people.

As part of Maddison Woollard's Breathhold photo exhibition at the museum (November 10-30), join Maddison and special guests to discuss the diversity of freediving and how it can mean different things to different people.

What is freediving, really? The answer is as diverse as the divers themselves.

Freediving today is often reduced to depth records and breathhold times—but that's floating at the surface. It's both a competitive sport and stillness. It's about ocean exploration and artistic expression. It's community connection and solitary reflection. The beauty of freediving is that it meets you where you are.

Join us as ocean enthusiasts share how freediving continues to enrich their lives in remarkably different ways. Whether you're a seasoned diver, ocean curious, or drawn to stories of transformation, this panel will expand your understanding of what freediving can be as we unpack the many futures it holds.

Arrive from 1pm for an exclusive artist walkthrough with Maddison of the exhibition.

Panel moderated by:

Maddison Woollard - a fashion and underwater photographer based in Sydney, Australia. As a freediver, scuba diver, marathon ocean swimmer, climber and adventurer, Maddison's work is deeply ingrained in her relationship with the natural world. Her underwater photography has garnered international recognition, including Gold and 4x People's Vote Awards at the Refocus Awards, Silver and Bronze at the B&W Photo Awards, and features in the Independent Photographer.

Special guest panellists:

Adam Stern – Global icon in the freediving world, Australian Champion freediver, a freediving instructor and owner of Freediving Family school and runs 'Deep Week,' the largest freediving festival and education event worldwide. 

Sheree Marris - Marine biologist, science communicator, documentary film maker, and award winning author with extensive expertise in ocean education, widely featured in the media. 

Tash Childs - British-born but now proudly at home in Manly, Tash spends her days freediving along Sydney's Northern Beaches — exploring reefs, caves, and marine life in her backyard of blue. What began as curiosity and slight apprehension, has become a practice that brings physical and mental vitality while connecting her to the community and the ocean. 

Sara Tai - Sydney-based freediver, travel creator and underwater model who discovered her love for the ocean in 2019 after swimming with her first turtle on the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Sara enjoys the thrill of creating magic in challenging conditions and loves collaborating with photographers to bring artistic visions to life.