I remember the first time, when I was under the ice of a lake. It was 2008 in the swiss alps. On an altitude of 1700m I posed for befriended photographer. Me diving from one hole to the next. The idea was to make some special photos, nobody else would have. At that time, there has already been some icedivers who broke rekords, like Christian Redl, Jaromir Foukal, Wim Hof and others. But this was not my intention at all.
At that time, I was very busy with my Divecenter in Freiburg in south Germany. Although, I was very fascinated by freediving, this shop kept me busy between March and the beginning of October. When I had more time for training in the winter, there were no competitions at all. So, this is why I set some records in distance diving under the ice with and without fins.
Together with the growing interest in this sport, although the interest in this records increased. Soon, other records like deepdiving under ice, where set up and got broken.
For me diving under the ice is a great experience. It is not only about challenge, mental strength and so on. It is also about silence. The water is hidden under a thick layer of ice. You don´t hear the waves, you don´t hear boats or people jumping and screaming in the water. The only thing you can hear ist the rumbling and roaring sound of the ice.
First everything around you is bright white and thats why the whole looks dark-black. But as soon as you enter the water you recognise, it is bright enough to see perfect. It is amazing how the light of the sun breaks through the ice.You can play with the pieces of the ice which were removed when the „Eis Meister“ opens the ice with the chainsaw. In Weissensee my favorite place for icediving the Eismeister is Norbert Jank – a legend and the man who is responsible for the safety of the numerous iceskaters and tourists, who visit the Weissensee during winter.
Now I returned with the Mares Ambassadors and friends Ivana Orlovic and Janez Kranjcz for some shootings for the watch company „Davosa – Swiss Watches“ on and under the ice. Since my first time here a lot has changed. Today the Weissensee is known as the icediving Eldorado. Thanks to Ernest Turnchek from the Yachtdivers. In the beginning, nobody trusted his idea to establish a divecenter here. But today he is employer of many Instructors, Chainsaw Experts and helping hands to open the way under the ice for scubadivers and organizer and supporter of many Icediving Worldrecords.
Six Years ago, was my last record attempt, which was succesfull accomplished and marked the end of my Ice career. And for six years I haven´t been under the ice. When I did my las fullbreath and slowly slipped in the cold dark water, it took quite some time until I got used the cold water in the face, but after I enjoyed again the silence and the light …
