Photographer River Jordan spent time with the Santa Barbara urchin diver to capture these stunning images.
This is a glimpse into the life of John Hoadley and his work off the California coast.
The Channel Islands are his home, playground, and livelihood. He’s a waterman by definition. He spends more daylight hours underwater than most spend at a desk. He can surf waves that make most cringe, he spears fish three times his size in open water for fun, and makes a living picking poisonous urchins off the sea floor. He operates alone and going to work means jumping into white shark territory. There are fewer urchin divers in the world than Navy SEALS.
So what would possess someone to live beneath the waves for years, put their life on the line every time they hit the water, and do it all solo?
Who is John Hoadley?
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