Annie Guttridge is an underwater photographer and conservationist with a passion for freediving, education, and marine research. She has over 14 years of shark research experience and over 20 years diving. She is an author, television presenter and co-founder of Saving the Blue, a nonprofit dedicated to field research and public education aimed at protecting threatened shark species across the Atlantic and Caribbean. 

Her fieldwork has taken her around the globe including extensive work in The Bahamas, the United States, and Mexico. She has conducted shark research, photography, and videography behind the camera and in front of it and Cressi has supported her every step of the way.

In her own words, here is a little more about Annie and what drives her in and out of the water.

How did you get into diving?

Growing up in a landlocked city in England, I spent much of my childhood daydreaming about diving in warm, tropical waters, especially with sharks. I watched every nature documentary I could find, collected anything and everything with a shark on it, and counted down the days until I was old enough to travel and dive. I’ve had a deep rooted feeling that I’ve belonged underwater for as long as I can remember.

What is your most memorable underwater experience?

There are far too many to list, and almost all of them involve sharks! But, if I had to narrow it down, I’d say my top five would be: freediving with 40+ eagle rays; scuba diving wrecks in Egypt; swimming eye-to-eye with great hammerheads; learning to freedive with world-record holder William Winram; and exploring the blue holes around Andros Island in The Bahamas.

If I had to choose just one, though, it would probably be seeing a great hammerhead underwater for the first time. There’s truly nothing quite like coming face-to-face with the unmistakable head of an animal you’ve dreamed of seeing for more than two decades.

What is your proudest professional moment?

There are so many moments I’m proud of that it’s hard to choose just one! But educating, supporting, and inspiring Saving the Blue field technician Sarontaa Bain has to be among my proudest achievements.

I first met Sarontaa when he was just 16. He loved swimming and being in the ocean, but he was also fearful of sharks and would actively avoid them. Over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow in confidence, knowledge and experience. Along the way, that fear has transformed into a deep love and respect for sharks.

Today, Sarontaa is not only a highly skilled field technician, but is also comfortable and at home beneath the waves. He has become a passionate shark enthusiast and a kind, knowledgeable, and dedicated advocate for the ocean.

What do you wish more people understood about the ocean?

I wish more people understood that the damage we are causing to our oceans may one day become irreversible. Plastic pollution, seafood consumption, unethical fishing practices, and the mistreatment of marine animals are just a few examples of the harm we continue to inflict. Our oceans provide us with food, oxygen, enjoyment, and countless other benefits, yet we continue to move in a direction that threatens vital ecosystems.

Terri Swearingen once said, “We are living on this planet as if we had another one to go to.” I hope that one day, people will recognize the urgency of protecting our oceans and take meaningful, effective action to preserve them and the incredible life they support.

What advice would you give to a new diver?

Relax. Slow down…and find your inner child.

In a world where people can feel judged by how deep they dive, how accurate their buoyancy is, or, as a freediver, how long they can hold their breath, sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down and simply enjoy yourself.

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Go at your own pace and ask yourself: How would I approach this if I were a child? Maybe you’d be excited to try something new, without expectations or fear of judgement. Maybe you’d be positive, curious, and eager to learn. Or perhaps you’d simply be happy to be in, on, and around the ocean.

I regularly encourage people to take the pressure off themselves and “find their inner child.” And honestly, I’ve found it incredibly effective!

So, slow down. Be curious. Have fun. And remember why you fell in love with the ocean in the first place.

What is your favorite piece of Cressi gear and why?

It’s honestly so hard to choose just one! I’m absolutely obsessed with my Cressi Astra flashlights, my 1.5 mm Triton wetsuit, and pretty much all of my fins and masks. But if I had to pick just one, I’d have to go with the flashlight.

The power of both the 2100 and 1200 is incredible, the quality is second to none, and the battery life seems to last forever! I use my flashlights both above and below the water, and their performance, reliability, and precision are absolutely flawless. They never disappoint!

What does being a Cressi ambassador mean to you?

I would never wear or promote a brand that didn’t align with my personal ethics or stand up to the demanding conditions I put my equipment through. That’s why I’m so proud to be a Cressi ambassador. I genuinely believe in the brand, from the quality and effectiveness of its products to its commitment to giving back and supporting so many worthwhile causes.

I was using Cressi products long before I became an ambassador, which I believe speaks volumes about how much I trust and value the brand. Cressi is a company I’ve always believed in, and I’m incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to represent a brand whose values, products, and purpose genuinely align with my own.

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