André Wiersig has them Ocean’s Seven mastered the seven most important straits of the world by swimming. Last August he swam as the first person ever through the cold waters of the North Sea from St. Peter Ording to Helgoland, also more than 50 kilometers.
Now it’s off to the Seychelles. There, the 49-year-old wants to swim from the main island of Mahé to the tourist paradise of La Digue on Good Friday or Easter Saturday (depending on the weather). In addition to the sporting challenge, his main intention is to draw attention to the ecological threat to the island paradise and to strengthen the country’s conservation efforts.
Mr. Wiersig, your next “extreme project” will take you to the Indian Ocean. What is the occasion?
André Wiersig: An organization from Germany contacted me that is committed to sustainable tourism in the Seychelles. They were planning a swimming event that would cover the never-before-seen route between the main island of Mahé and La Digue. A few months ago a kayaker tried it. He had to be pulled out with a helicopter in the middle of the route.
What makes you confident that you can swim?
Wiersig: I bring experience and am used to such extreme exertion over the years and decades. Nevertheless, I’m now also noticing during the preparation that I’m approaching 50 very tightly and that my body isn’t coping with everything anymore.
How are you preparing for the Seychelles project?
Wiersig: The mental component in such an undertaking is well over 50 percent. But of course the best mental preparation is useless if you can’t get your arms forward. So, a lot of strength training, and of course a lot of swimming, always with a view to maintaining regeneration, which is also an essential part of preparation at an advanced age. Most recently I was in Mallorca for ten days for intensive preparation.