André Garraud embodies the essence of water. Fluid, adaptable, and deeply connected to life itself. Living by the ocean, he immerses himself daily in its healing embrace, using water as both sanctuary and teacher. Yet his connection to the elements extends far beyond the shoreline. The crisp air of the mountains, the grounding energy of the earth, the transformative heat of fire, and the unseen force of ether all shape his journey. André doesn’t just move through these elements; he breathes them, lives them, and shares their wisdom with others.
André Garraud lives and breathes the elemental pillars, but in particular he embraces the essence of water, the fabric of which is woven into his very being. Living by the ocean, he immerses himself daily in its healing embrace, using the water as both sanctuary and teacher. However, his connection to the elements extends far beyond the shoreline as André doesn’t just exist within these elements he embodies them, channelling their wisdom into both his teachings and way of life.
As Apnea Survival’s only appointed Cold Water Immersion (CWI) Instructor Trainer outside of our founder Jason Rice, André holds a position of immense trust and respect. His mastery of breathwork and cold exposure is beyond the technical. He provides a portal for connecting people with nature and unlocking the body’s innate intelligence. We are honoured and privileged to have him as an ambassador, and to have him carry the Apnea Survival mission forward with unwavering passion and integrity.
Andre’s world-renowned community Cold Water Immersion sessions at Bondi and Coogee Beaches in Sydney, Australia, have become powerful gatherings, drawing hundreds of participants who unlock potential, and reconnect with the elements. Whether guiding corporate teams, athletes, or everyday adventurers, André has created a unique platform that introduces people to the profound impact of cold immersion and breathwork, transforming the lives of anyone who attends.
For André, “Being your own dolphin” is an invitation to curiosity and self-experimentation through direct experience. When he first embraced open ocean swimming, the experiences that followed gave him a deep, embodied understanding of water’s power. His dance with the extreme ends of ocean swimming reinforced his belief in the need to question our perception of ‘normal’ and embrace discomfort as a gateway to growth. By living this philosophy, he inspires countless others to break free from conditioned limitations and explore lives of greater depth, courage, and purpose.
Through his work, André stands as a living testament to the power of connecting to our breath, nature, and communities. We are honoured to have him as a leader in our community, a mentor in the art of resilience, and a channel to the elemental pillars that shape our existence.
