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Contributed By: Jemma Mead
From Monday to Thursday, you can find me upstairs in our Burleigh Heads HQ making the magic happen with our inventory dream team, likely staring into an abyss of spreadsheets (self-confessed Excel nerd!) We definitely have quite the array of avid adventurers here in the Wild Earth office… ultra-marathon runners, triathletes, alpine climbers, sailors… so it’s only natural that I dabble in a few extracurricular activities myself. On the weekends you will find me working as a snorkel and whale-watching guide for Cooly Eco Adventures.
Cooly Eco Adventures specialise in eco-conscious Whale and Marine Adventure Tours throughout the stunning Queensland and New South Wales coastal border region. This includes swimming with the humpback whales on their annual migration, dolphin and turtle safaris, snorkelling tours to Cook Island, research expeditions, and private charters.
Our company mission is to stop further deterioration of our planet and its oceans, by educating and encouraging a shift in human behaviour toward a more symbiotic relationship with nature.
I feel incredibly grateful to be part of not one, but two businesses that are environmentally conscious and put sustainability at the forefront of all of their practices. It also definitely doesn't go unnoticed that I have an incredible selection of gear at my fingertips to make sure I am fully equipped for a big day on the water!
Here’s a list of some of my absolute essential Wild Earth goodies for keeping dry, staying warm, and being prepared for some spectacular wildlife encounters:
1. GOPRO HERO12 HYPERSMOOTH 6.0 WATERPROOF ACTION CAMERA
We’re still rolling with the GoPro HERO11 to capture our Swimming with Whales experiences, but the new model just came out and we’re keen for an upgrade! There are a bunch of new features for both newbies to the video-making platform and professionals looking to take things to the next level. The HERO12 has twice the runtime of the HERO11 and includes a log recording profile which allows for better, more streamlined post-production editing and colour grading of footage.
2. PATAGONIA TORRENTSHELL 3L WATERPROOF JACKET
The Cooly Eco staff never leave the dock without our trusty Patagonia Torrentshell Waterproof Jackets. This versatile jacket definitely protects from the wind and the rain, and I always feel dry and comfortable whatever mother nature decides to throw at us! The jacket is super lightweight so it’s easy to manoeuvre in a confined area, and it packs down small meaning it can be stowed in the compact storage areas on the boat.
3. CROCS
I never thought this day would come but I am finally a proud owner of Crocs… and I'm pretty sure every member of Cooly Eco Adventures has converted too! These guys are an absolute no-brainer for boat life - they are nice and grippy in slippery conditions, they can get wet but also dry super quickly, and they don’t leave any marks on the deck!
4. PATAGONIA BAGGIES
My Patagonia Baggies have been with me since my first day of employment, as they conveniently come in the Cooly Eco uniform colours! These shorts are made from recycled fishing nets helping to reduce ocean plastic pollution. Perfect to chuck on over swimmers after we’ve been snorkelling with the turtles at Cook Island! They dry quickly and pack down nice and small in my drybag so they can stay dry on deck!
5. ICEBREAKER FLEXI ADULT CHUTE MERINO NECK WARMER
Our region might be known for its sunny skies but I can assure you that a 6am start on the water can be frossssssty! Unpredictable winds can make the temperature feel even colder than expected which is why I absolutely love my Icebreaker Neckwarmer. This is the perfect accessory for when we’re cruisin’ down the Tweed River at 25 knots on a winter morning.
6. PATAGONIA SURF BRIMMER
Sometimes our tours may be extended because we’re having such an amazing time with the wildlife out there - a good sun hat is vital for protection on our summer tours! The Patagonia Surf Brimmer ticks all the boxes. The brim holds its shape, keeps the hat afloat, and has a dark underbill to reduce glare and eyestrain. It’s also Fair Trade Certified sewn, which means the people who made it earned a premium for their labour.
7. SEA TO SUMMIT HYDRAULIC PRO 50L DRY PACK - PICANTE
Now this might be the most impressive dry bag I've ever owned…and I have quite the collection! I’ve also taken this bag on multi-day kayaking and SUP adventures - it’s spacious, super heavy-duty, and even has lash points for keeping things extra secure whilst in transit. Its pressure-tested waterproof zipper and fully welded seams mean my belongings are staying dry… and a 40-ton whale can make a pretty big splash on our whale-watching tours! The Picante colourway also matches the Cooly Eco boat so how could I say no?!
The crew at Cooly Eco Adventures would love to welcome you aboard so we are offering 10% OFF FOR ALL WILD EARTH CUSTOMERS. Our live availability can be found online at Cooly Eco Adventures - please use promo code WILD10 at checkout.
Not sure what gear you need for your adventure? Chat with our friendly team of Outdoor Gear Specialists in-store or online today and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.
About the contributor:
Jemma is the Supply Chain Manager for Wild Earth but when the weekend rolls around, she trades in her computer for a dive mask and fins. Jem has spent the past 15 years working as a dive guide, skipper, and outdoor adventure guide alongside her roles in e-commerce operations... It's all about balance! When she isn't hanging out beneath the waves with turtles and whales, you can find her on a kayak or SUP adventure with her four-legged-friends in tow!
