Does size matter?

Shark Diving

- Cristina Zenato

I started working with sharks in 1994 and put my first shark into a relaxed state a few months after beginning to work with them. 

As my actions evolved, one day, I found myself lifting the shark into a vertical position and holding her there for a few seconds before she woke up and swam away. It is hard to explain why I would want to do something like that with a shark, but we must consider the time. We were at the beginning of interactive shark dives and learning as we went along. I had already realized that a shark would willingly come into my lap and lay there for a few minutes up to an hour, but I was curious; we were all curious.

We only understood some of it and searched for new interactions and moments each time we went diving with sharks.

On that day, I was holding the shark to bring it over to people to pet, and while looking at her remaining calm in my hands, I gently pushed down on her nose while slowly and gently pushing her stomach up. And she stayed there, for quite some time, before sliding off my hand and swimming away as if nothing had happened to circle back towards me within seconds.

People on any of those dives surfaced amazed; they were intrigued by the fact that a shark, still considered a dangerous predator no matter the species, would be in such a relaxed state to allow this. It was like a changing moment for many of them. It opened them up to questions and even made them doubt everything they had heard about sharks.

Following the positive response and how it made me connect with people and trigger their curiosity and interest, that move became my signature for several years.