Alright, picture this: two kids, Tom and Robin, growing up in the middle of nowhere—literally on the ocean. These kids have spent half their lives cruising around on an 18-meter boat called The Why. Not a normal childhood, right? But for their parents, Ghislain and Emmanuelle, it’s just how they roll.
From Icy Poles to Sunny Reefs
Tom and Robin’s parents are hardcore ocean explorers. They’re the brains behind Under The Pole, a project all about diving deep into the ocean’s secrets. We’re talking Arctic ice, tropical reefs, and even the spooky “twilight zone”—a part of the ocean between 30 and 150 meters down. This family has seen it all, from icy wastelands to colorful coral paradises.
Living on a Boat, Like… For Real
Living on a boat sounds wild, right? But for the Bardout family, it’s just life. When they’re on land, they chill in a small coastal town in France. But at sea? Their boat is home. They’ve got a full crew onboard—scientists, a chef, a doctor, and even a teacher to keep the kids learning.
And guess what? Emmanuelle swears it’s not as crazy as it sounds. Sure, “regular” might involve deep-sea diving and dodging icebergs, but hey, it’s their version of normal.
Why This Matters
Here’s the thing: we know next to nothing about the ocean, even though it covers 70% of the planet. Less than 30% of the seafloor has been mapped, and there are tons of species we haven’t even discovered yet.
Meanwhile, the ocean’s getting wrecked—warming waters, dying coral, plastic everywhere, overfishing—you name it. That’s why the Bardouts do what they do. They’re out there documenting it all, hoping to show people why the ocean needs saving.
Breaking All the Rules
Ghislain and Emmanuelle didn’t want to choose between family life and chasing their ocean dreams, so they didn’t. They made their own path, raising two kids while exploring some of the most remote parts of the planet.
Their story isn’t just about cool ocean adventures. It’s about rewriting the script, living life your way, and making it work.