Even though my main place of life will be in Egypt in the next month, I am already planning some events in Rostock. I would like to fascinate many new people about freediving and also establish Relaqua ® in the region.

Apnea-Classes

At the beginning of December, an apnea class(SSI Pool Freediving) will start as part of the university sport at the University of Rostock. Participation is limited to 16 persons. If there are not enough students, non-students can also participate in the classes. For the exact scheduling I still wait for the offered indoor pool times. In addition, I will organize two further classes together with the Blue Life Center Rostock. These are an SSI Pool Freediving and an SSI Level 1 Freediving classes. The Level 1 class will take place in the diving tower Wittenberge. Exact dates will be published here as soon as the planning is finished. Both courses are limited to four participants.

Presentation and Relaqua

But that’s not all. In December there will also be a presentation about breathing at the DOCK INN in Warnemünde and furthermore a “No-Stress” Relaqua ® class. For both events there are no fixed dates yet. But I am busy planning and will publish the dates here as soon as possible.

Picture: @katjaunderwater

Today is Shark Awareness Day. For me it is a very special day because I love sharks. My first experience with them in Hawaii changed everything. Not only the perfection and elegance that surrounds these breathtaking animals has fascinated me. It was also my first encounter with freediving.

That is what want

Our safety diver dived down to the sharks and I wanted to be able to do that, too. I wanted to be able to move so weightlessly under water. My new life goal was born straightaway. I wanted to become a freedive teacher in Hawaii.

I’m already an apnea teacher, only to do it on Hawaii hasn’t worked yet – but never say never

Sharks need our protection

But back to the sharks. Since about 400 million years they are inhabiting the oceans around the world. About 200 million years ago was the age of the dinosaurs. The fact that sharks still exist today shows me that they are the perfection of evolution. Unfortunately, too less people think so. The film industry built an image of the monster from the depths. The number of shark attacks is infinitesimally small and often caused human error.

A merciless overfishing of the seas as well as the lucrative trade with shark fins, has also caused unbelievable damage to the populations in the recent decades. In one year between 100 and 200 million!!!! sharks get killed by humans. Many species are already threatened with extinction. Because sharks need many years to reach sexual maturity, many species won’t to be found in our oceans for long anymore.

Everyone has the possibility to change something! Don’t eat shark meat (inform yourself about “camouflage names”), don’t eat tuna and swordfish. These fishes are cached with longlines, where sharks are often 100% by-catch! Get active and inform your friends and acquaintances!

Picture: @katjaunderwater

Mauritius is quite close to paradise for me. Warm weather, great nature, incredibly positive people and above all an amazing ocean. But that’s not the only reason, why I flew to this wonderful island in April. The Orca Diveclub Mauritius invited to a very special week. Under the guidance of Nikolay Linder and Fred Buyle there was a unique chance to improve apnea skills. Freediverheart – what more do you want?

Leran from the best

It was an unforgettable time. Seeing Fred move underwater and merge with the ocean was incredibly impressive and inspiring. Each of his tips became like a mantra for me. Then there was Nik, always in a good mood and so incredibly positive. The first time I met him I knew, that I had made the right decision, to do my instructor course with him in July. The way he manages to inspire and captivate people was just as impressive. Parallel to the diving week, I also did my SSI Freediving Level 2.

Sperm whales under water – greatest thing ever

But the highlight happened after the diving week. In a small group we went out to the ocean, to go freediving with sperm whales. It was by far the most impressive thing, I had experienced so far. Sometimes pictures say more than words. I will never forget this day and these magical moments in my life and I am eternally grateful to everyone who was there!

Picture: SloMod