Thalassotherapy (from the Greek word thalassa, meaning »sea«) is the medical use of seawater as a form of therapy. That’s somehow what Californian photographer Alex Swanson does, using his grainy underwater shots to make us feel comfortable. »These underwater photos have just come with spending so much of my time under the surface. I’m always trying to capture on my cameras what I see in my mind, and bring that back to share with others.« Living in Southern California, Alex Swanson is inspired by its distinctive coastline, classic quiet vibes of San Diego, fast paced world of Orange County and Los Angeles, and the beautiful coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara. Alex describes himself as someone »excited, motivated, stoked on life and always looking to improve the lives of those around him«.  He started working as a lifeguard when he was 16 years old, the youngest age you can launch a career as a lifeguard. He remembers: »I was on a local competitive swim team, and my friend told me about a killer job where I could serve the public, surf and bodysurf as much as I wanted, and could make some decent money. It was one of the best decisions of my life.«  

His relationship with the sea started with surfing at age 10. Today he thanks his father for sharing this love for surfing. »My father grew up surfing in San Diego around Skip Frye, Steve Lis, Rusty Preisendorfer and all those legends. He carried that stoke when he moved up to Orange County to start a family. We used to all pile in his old Saab 900 Turbo and jam to San O, Newport Point, or Huntington Beach, depending on the swell direction and size. Surfing represents a huge part of my life. It’s where I go to clear my head, to reconnect with friends and family, and where I find peace.«

Alex’s daily life seems to be deliberately built around the ocean, »I would define my relation to the ocean as ‘continuously learning’. I’ve been in enough sketchy situations in the water to respect the power of the ocean. I never get bored or tired of swimming, surfing, sailing, diving, and just spending time floating around.«

All Photos © Alex Swanson

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