Freediving with Beluga whales

This is the moment a ‘free-diver’ hitches a lift with a Beluga whale in freezing waters under Russia’s White Sea.

The diver – Julia Petrik, 36 – plunges into -2ºC (28ºF) water after cutting through ice up to 1ft thick on the country’s north-west coast.

Julia, one of the world’s best free divers, swims underwater with no air tanks and can hold her breath for up to two minutes.

After diving into the freezing sea she grabs hold of a passing Beluga whale and is captured gliding through the water by British photographer Dan Burton.

Beluga Whales only live in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters and are protected from the sub-zero temperatures by a thick layer of blubber.

The elusive whales are an unmistakable all white in colour with a distinctive melon-shaped head and can grow up to 5m (16ft)in length.

From The Telegraph Read more