Sean has emigrated to New Zealand with his mother from South Africa after the death of his father. He is finding it hard to fit in at school while coping with his grief and homesickness. Mason, a boy in his class who is a mad keen spearo, offers to teach him how to free dive and Sean gradually becomes involved with Mason's family including taking part in free diving and spear fishing training in order to take part in a competition. One accident and Sean is thrust into the front line of the competition – it is all up to him.