Lalo works for a white shark diving company in Gansbaai, Western Cape. He gave us some insight into his job so we could learn more about his career in marine life.

Lalo works for a white shark diving company in Gansbaai, Western Cape. He gave us some insight into his job so we could learn more about his career in marine life.

Lalo’s interest in sharks was first sparked when he watched Jaws, an American thriller film based on great white shark attacks. “When I saw the movie, my reaction was the opposite of most people,” Lalo says. “I fell in love with white sharks and began reading books about sharks and watching every documentary about them.”

Following on from that experience, Lalo promised himself that one day he would go out and see a great white shark. But little did he know that working with great whites would become his career. “When I came to South Africa From Colorado in the USA, I booked to go out to sea with Andre Hartman – the first person to free dive with a white shark. He was my childhood hero, and still is,” Lalo says.

That day, Lalo says he lived out his dream of not only meeting Andre but also seeing a white shark for the very first time. On this day, Lalo also requested that a cameraman join him on the boat to film his trip. Lalo learnt that the cameraman had just started an underwater videography course, which sparked Lalo’s interest. “I returned to Gansbaai from Johannesburg to do the same course for a period of 2 months,” Lalo explains.

Thirteen years later, Lalo is still in the marine ecotourism industry. He works for the White Shark Diving Company, where he gets to wear many hats. “I grew up watching shark week, and now I have had the opportunity to film for them and film crews from around the world,” Lalo explains. “I have been fortunate enough to work with people like Mike Rowe from ‘Dirty Jobs’. However, one of my fondest memories was filming ‘The Crocodile Hunter’ for Steve Irwin.

Apart from filming, Lalo’s job also enables him to travel. “I have the privilege of taking pictures of white sharks and being a white shark guide and dive instructor in South Africa and the Guadalupe Island off of Baja Mexico.”

However, Lalo says what he loves most about his career is having the opportunity to work in ecotourism where he gets to teach people about great whites and change their misperceptions about these animals. “Humans are destroying the ocean, and I have the opportunity to show and explain to people from all around the world why we need to protect what is in front of us before it is too late.”

Lalo suggests that those aspiring to become white shark guides and/or divers need to complete scuba diving and photography or videography courses. “More importantly, see the world above and underwater.”

“For me, it was about having a dream, taking a chance and now I do what I love for a living. Do not prevent yourself from following your dream because you never know how things could turn out. It could end up being the best decision you ever made,” Lalo concludes.

If, like Lalo, you would like to share your pride in your career, send a mail to editor@careers24.com, telling us about yourself and your awesome job, and we’ll be in touch.