Margaux Cuylauerts isn't the first 16-year-old to appear in a selfie, but hers is slightly different from every other teenage selfie out there -- it has a real shark in the background.
Ellen DeGeneres may be able to boast the most celebrity-heavy selfie, but Cuylauerts' is far more impressive. The photo shows the excited 16-year-old decked out in scuba gear in beautiful deep blue waters, with a menacing shark lurking in the background.
Cuylauerts is the brave daughter of film-making couple Michael Maes and Ellen Cuylaerts, who dove into shark-infested waters in the Bahamas with their two children, 16-year-old Margaux and 14-year-old Max. The dive mission was part of a documentary about conquering fears.
Amazingly, Margaux and Max hadn't planned to join their parents in the water, but grew keen to join them after watching from their boat. Both had attended prior safety briefings and were trained how to behave in the water around sharks.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Shark-friendly Tourism
- Opportunity to develop innovative experiences for tourists to safely interact with sharks while promoting conservation and education.
- Adventure-driven Documentaries
- Opportunity to create captivating documentaries that showcase thrilling adventures and personal growth.
- Diving Safety Training for Youth
- Opportunity to develop specialized training programs to educate and prepare young divers for safe interactions with marine wildlife.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Tourism
- Opportunity for the tourism industry to offer unique and immersive experiences centered around shark encounters.
- Film and Entertainment
- Opportunity for filmmakers and entertainment companies to produce engaging content that combines adventure, wildlife, and personal growth.
- Education and Training
- Opportunity for organizations specializing in diving and marine education to develop programs and resources to ensure the safety and knowledge of young divers.
