Mr. Wiersig, you swam from St. Peter-Ording in North Friesland to Helgoland on Saturday, 48.5 kilometers, because the crow flies in 18 hours and 14 minutes. howare you guys?
Well, I feel like I have recovered again. Of course, the arms are still a bit heavy, the tongue is still numb, and the nose and mucous membranes are attacked by salt water. But it will disappear after a few days. I already know this from other swimming adventures.
You start swimming in St. Peter-Ording at 0.02 on Saturday morning. Why is it in the middle of the night?
The North Sea is also known as the Murder Sea, and it is one of the most dangerous waters due to extreme currents and waves. We got good advice from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Service (BSH) in Hamburg, and there is also a BSH employee on the escort ship. I said from the beginning that I would fully obey the advice of current experts. I don’t care whether I swim at night, swim at night or swim in the morning. You cannot arrive with any sensitivity.
At midnight in the North Sea, the water temperature is 16 degrees, and you are wearing swimming trunks: How excited are you to start swimming?
I am glad it started. I am not born that kind of nervous person. In any case, fear is always a bad partner. Of course, when you expose yourself to the North Sea, respect is essential, and night swimming is always special. But as far as marine life is concerned, there is no great danger there.
Have you ever encountered it in the water?
You will always get some fire jellyfish, but this is normal and this is not a problem. Once I met a group of mackerel and saw a few seals. But what is absolutely fascinating is the sea light at night, and the bioluminescence in the water is slightly blue. Some jellyfish glow green when they are touched at night. It was an unforgettable experience, magical.
Are you tired of swimming?
On the high seas, things rarely develop as expected. It is always wise to put aside personal expectations for such a cause from the beginning. Beihai does what it wants to do for you. We have obtained all possible information from experts, but after about twelve hours of swimming, we can only advance 500 meters per hour. But this is just the way it is. You must accept this. If you start cursing in the water, you can only lose.
Depends on mental power?
60, it’s more like 70% is a brain problem. The rest is physique, of course it must be right. If you can no longer separate your arms, then the best attitude in your mind is useless. But you can be prepared for this.
How did you eat in 18 hours?
Bring liquid food, once every half an hour. We have a big swell, people are getting seasick on the support boat. It is important to still be able to metabolize food under these conditions.
What is the first step to land?
Not as swaying as expected. I can stand up. My wife met me on the beach. There were friends there. Many tourists waited on the beach for hours. marvelous.
How did you think of going swimming in Heligoland?
This is not about making records. I just don’t want to experience the North Sea as a beautiful background like a vacation, but experience it up close from the perspective of a swimmer.
You have traveled all the oceans in the world, and you are the first German to complete Ocean VII. The Seven Straits are considered the biggest challenge in long-distance swimming. In contrast, how is the water quality in the North Sea?
Surprisingly good. We only found the remains of some fishing nets, which we were able to salvage and carry with us. Otherwise, we hardly notice any dirt, pollution or plastic waste. This is a great experience.
