100 WATER HEROES: HANLI PRINSLOO

Co-founder and CEO of I AM WATER

Hanli Prinsloo is a South African freediver, speaker, writer and ocean conservationist. In 2010, she founded I AM WATER, an ocean conservation trust that seeks to “engage and educate ocean-users with the world beneath the waves in order to understand their personal opportunity to protect the planet.”

Prior to launching I AM WATER, Hanli was a highly successful freediver, breaking 11 South African freediving records. She was also the first South African to simultaneously hold 6 freediving records. Hanli’s freediving career exposed her to the beauty of our oceans, as well as the extreme vulnerability of marine organisms. I AM WATER looks to advance ocean conservation “through transformative ocean experience,” ultimately facilitating a deeper understanding of the aquatic world beneath us.

In addition to her work with I AM WATER, Hanli was selected as a World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders.

Hanli is one of our #100WaterHeroes for founding I AM WATER, and for her dedication to furthering ocean advocacy causes throughout South Africa.