HAENYEO DIVERS

In an effort to recognise one of the pioneers of freediving, ADEX invited South Korea’s haenyeo, or sea women, to share a part of their heritage with an international crowd. For as long as Koreans can remember, the haenyeo have dived the waters surrounding Jeju, harvesting seaweed and shellfish at depths well over 10 metres. They have become emblematic of the society that inhabits Jeju, and were placed on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 2016. ADEX visitors were given the rare opportunity to witness the haenyeo in action – the only place possible outside of Jeju.