Tripp Markusen ’19 Dives Deep
Senior travels to Cape Town, South Africa to conduct behavioral research, freedive
![From top to bottom: 1. On protecting the Boundary Waters, Otis Environmental Author Amy Freeman said, “If you’ve been before, try and take someone new the next time you go. I think the more people that know about the place [they] understand it, love it, and want to protect it.” 2. Lower schoolers danced around the stage, eventually forming a mosh pit. The dancing intensified, leading to the band to ask kids to return to their families. 3. The Bennett Gallery features nature artwork from students of all grade levels, including Arthur Risdall ‘37 and Lilah Mairose ‘28. The curators wanted the gallery to feel like taking a walk outside. 4. Eighth graders in Woodshop created canoe paddles for the exhibit. The canoe was a reference to the Freemans’ book, “North American Odyssey, 12,000 Miles Across the
Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled.” 5. Students listen during assembly as the Freemans share
their experiences in the JNA. 6. Alex Rozumalski ‘26 made artwork in a joint project between Block Printmaking and Marine Biology. The text by Rozumalski’s artwork said, “We have over-harvested, pollluted, and physically altered ecosystems, in some places irreparably. But it doesn’t have to remain that way.” 7. Lower School students created an eco-friendly felt art piece of the natural world. Most of the
wool was dyed naturally with onion skins, choke berries, indigo, and dahlia flowers. 8. Many families enjoyed the Okee Dokee Brothers concert. Overcash reminisced, “My dad has always been a fan of folk music, so the Okee Dokee Brothers reminds me of him. I think he got me into it.”](https://www.blakespectrum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-1-424x600.png)
Markusen freedives with a pinniped of seals
It may seem scary to stare face-to-face with a shark, but not for Tripp Markusen ’19, who travelled to Cape Town, South Africa this summer for one month to free dive, conduct behavioral research, and lead diving expeditions.
After being exposed to free diving his sophomore year at The Island School, Markusen took an interest in marine life and diving, calling it his “biggest passion.” Falling in love with sharks abroad, the research program allowed Markusen to intensively study these magnificent creatures.
A film production company hired Markusen to assist in researching sharks and leading client tours. The company, in association with Planet Earth and Blue Planet, two nature programs backed by the Discovery Channel and BBC respectively, aimed to provide students with practical, international research opportunities. To raise funds, students led clients seeking to learn about shark species on guided expeditions into popular areas off the coast of Cape Town.
When Markusen led diving expeditions, he took the tourists to a colony of 6,000 seals who would come to play and interact with divers.
South Africa is a premiere location to research and interact with sharks, where there are 1500 species of sharks. Of these 1500, Cape Town alone has 400 shark species that are endemic to the area. On South Africa, Markusen reflects: “It’s a really cool place, it’s just so multicultural.”
Much of Tripp’s behavioral research consisted of observing and analyzing different species’ of sharks and their mating, feeding, and migratory patterns. The research was based on interaction and observation, Markusen notes.
Able to hold his breath for three and a half minutes, Markusen found that “[freediving] was the best way to interact with them… sharks are so curious, but they’re also easily freaked out.” There exists a misconception about the danger sharks pose to divers, fueled by popular films like Jaws or 47 Feet Under. Markusen explains: “If you present yours elf as a predator, they’ll never take the risk to harm you.”
While describing his love of diving, Markusen debated, “It gave me more interest into maybe going into professional freediving.” Before the trip, he was planning to pursue engineering. However, his experiences in Cape Town and at The Island School have allowed him to explore his interests.
Markusen encourages underclassmen to apply to The Island School. “It completely changed my life in a way that I never expected.” For anyone considering getting involved with freediving and similar programs, Markusen urges you to “take initiative, do research… Diving really changes people’s lives.”