Should you listen?
Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates explores the world of freediving, focusing on the extreme lengths some athletes go to in pursuit of depth. The narrative format reveals a darker side of the sport, including doping allegations and community conflicts. This podcast will appeal to true-crime enthusiasts interested in sports and the moral complexities within competitive environments.
~36 min episodes · Irregular schedule · 138 episodes
You'll like this if
- you enjoy true-crime stories with a sports angle
- you appreciate in-depth investigative narratives
- you're curious about the ethics of competitive sports
- you like stories about personal and community conflict
Maybe skip it if
Skip this if you prefer lighter, more straightforward storytelling.
About Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates
Three years ago travel writer Lydia Gard discovered freediving almost by accident. It’s an extreme and beautiful sport defined by one simple objective: to dive as deep as you can on one single breath. Record holders are now routinely diving to more than 120 metres, pushing the sport and their bodies to find out what’s humanly possible. Through her coach, Lydia was drawn into a small but fanatical community of competition athletes all united in their drive for depth, and that’s where she stumbled on a darker side of the sport. Rumours swirled that a group of top divers were doping to get deeper, faster. As the community began to turn on each other over the allegations, one prominent diver decided to take the law into his own hands. A secret sting operation was meant to put an end to the problem by bringing the alleged dopers out of the dark, and into the light. But the issue hasn't gone away. And now, a lot of people who’ve been too scared to speak up, are ready to talk. Episode 1 will be available to listen on Tuesday 18th November.Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series on Tuesday 18th November. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What to expect
Episodes typically run around 36 minutes and are structured as narrative investigations. The storytelling delves into the complexities of the freediving community and the controversies surrounding it. Expect a mix of personal accounts and broader commentary on the sport.
Where to start
New listeners should start with the latest episode, 'A verdict | Lucky Boy update', to get a sense of the show's current themes.
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Type
- serial
Questions about Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates
Is Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates worth listening to?
Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates offers a compelling look at the darker side of freediving, making it worth a listen for true-crime fans.
How long are Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates episodes?
Episodes of Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates typically run about 36 minutes.
Is Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates still going?
Yes, Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates is still ongoing, with the latest episode published on 1st September 2026.
Where should I start with Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates?
Starting with the latest episode, 'A verdict | Lucky Boy update', is a good way to dive into Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates.
Listener comments
Join the conversation. Members can leave comments and discover other listeners.
Sign up free