The Grey NATO – 228 – From Rangiroa With Love, Blancpain, and Laurent Ballesta

This is an extra special and extra long episode of TGN as Jason is back from his trip to Rangiroa with Blancpain and we have both a full download from the trip – including a chat about the new Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa – and a full interview with the one and only Laurent Ballesta. Jason went to paradise and came back with one heck of an episode and we think you’re going to love it.

The episode kicks off with a chat about the latest TGN merch and a special new anniversary edition from Scurfa before digging deep into Jason and Gishani’s trip to French Polynesia with Blancpain and then a chat with explorer, photographer, and leader of the Gombessa Expeditions, Laurent Ballesta. It goes without saying that the TGN boys have nothing but thanks to Laurent and Blancpain for helping to make for an extra fun episode.

Diving a rebreather (photo credit: Etienne Menager)

Stay in the mix for a Final Notes that will have you swimming the English Channel and planning a hike all the way around Mont Blanc.

Click here if you want to play episode 228 from your browser – thanks so much for listening.

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1:00 Jason Gallop on TGN 227
1:34 The TGN Watchcap Bundle (while supplies last)
13:10 Scurfa M.S.22
14:30 Scurfa 10th Anniversary
15:44 Jason’s Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
16:04 TAD Quantum NATO
17:06 Laurent Ballesta on TGN 153
18:00 Rangiroa
20:12 AP Diving
21:39 Blue Water, White Death
25:17 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Gombessa
26:38 How a rebreather works
38:40 The Gombessa Expeditions
44:50 Laurent Ballesta Instagram
54:35 Laurent’s society Andromede Oceanologie
1:17:39 Salt Cod Gratin (Laurent’s fav food)
1:19:29 The Lost City of Z
1:20:59 The Toilers of the Sea - Victor Hugo
1:21:11 Belle du Seigneur – Albert Cohen
1:23:00 “Hiking the Tour de Mont Blanc: A Beginner’s Guide” - Outside Online
1:27:32 “Crossing for a Friend” - Craft NY, Vimeo

“Necessity is the mother of taking chances.” - Mark Twain