Tom Sietas is an extraordinary guy – that can be noticed at first sight. The German freediver radiates willpower. In an interview, given to extrem.hu, he explains what it takes to become a world record holder in breathholding.
 Tom Sietas Source: tauchen.nullzeit.at  |
Tom Sietas is a tall, thin, 27-year old college student. He lives in Hamburg, where he studies English and Metaltechnics. Four years ago, he was on a family vacation in Jamaica, when he noticed that he was not only enjoying scuba diving, but he also has a talent for snorkeling. He got to know that it has a competive format as well. That‘s how Tom‘ s freediving career started. Now, a jump in time: June 9-11, 2004, Hamburg. Tom‘ s first world record attempt.
Since, we have reported about it on extrem.hu, it is no secret that at his first try, he could hold his breath, floating face down in a swimming pool for 8 minutes and 12 seconds, a day later for 8‘ 27”, and the next day, he could increase that to 8‘ 47”. We have used this warning in connection with a number of extreme sports, but in this case we really mean it: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!
We asked the new threefold world record holder how he could improve the 2‘ 45” he was capable of three years ago to almost 9 minutes?
– I have read that you discovered your freediving talent when you were on vacation in Jamaica. When did you decide to aim for the world elite, to go for a world record?
– From the very beginning I wanted to go for a world record. That‘ s why I trained hard and reached my goal.
– Yes, I have also read that you train very hard and very diligently. Do you think it is your talent that shot you into the world elite in two years or is it more about working hard on improving your technique?
– Talent is only a small part. Yes, I have the physiological requirements but more important are the psychological skills. I think you get what you deserve, so if you do anything for a goal you‘ ll reach it. Many people don‘ t know what they are able to do or aren‘ t able to fight for their goal.
 Tom can show an OK sign even after 8 minutes |
– Yeah, I have heard that many times, but it your case, you also have proved that it could work. Now you are the world record holder in the Static. Most freedivers believe it to be the most boring discipline, since you do not dive in the sea, nor do you swim in a pool, here you „just” float. Is there something you do differently in this discipline, or you are just simply better at it than the others?
– Probably I don‘t think too much about it, I just do it… (Nike 
). There are many scientists in freediving but some of them are afraid of the water sometimes…
– How much do you know about the biology behind your 8‘ 47”?
– I know a little bit. More than some freedivers but not as much as a biologist.
– When you were first breaking Martin Stepanek‘ s 8‘ 6”, and later improving your own records, did you think about how much you wanted to reach during your attempts? Did you set a specific goal?
– Definitely not, most of the time I hadn‘t been thinking at all.
– Peter Pedersen, the world record holder of the Dynamic discipline once said that psychological limits are the ones we make them limits. For me, 10 minutes is that barrier. I am simply unable to comprehend how it would be possible for someone to last longer than that under the water. On the other hand, some freedivers say that the brain is the main oxygen consumer, and if you could shut it down, you could stay down much longer than 10 minutes. What do you think about that?
– 10 minutes is no barrier. It‘ s already in range. I think having the capabilities of yoga masters combined with physiological training will make you able to go far beyond…
 Tom during one of his world record attempts Photo: dpa |
– Taking into account your willpower, it does not sound THAT crazy. Probably dozens of people have asked you that question, but I still would like to know what went through you mind while you were doing your 8‘ 12”, 8‘ 27” and 8‘ 47”? Martin Stepanek said that he thinks about ordinary things, but nothing very emotional, because that would mess up his heartbeat. What is your method?
– Martin is right. The best method is to think of nothing. That‘ s difficult over a long period so if you think you should think about boring things. Do exactly what you do when you try to fall asleep…
– Simply put, you have to count sheep. Ok. On a more serious note, whom do you consider as the greatest threat to your record? Whom do you expect to announce a world record attempt first in static?
– I am not sure. I think the main freediving elite is not made for statics. They have too big muscles to supply with oxygen. If they beat it, they want beat it by much. No, I expect others to come. People with better physiological skills who also have strong willpower.
– And last but really not least: when do you want to become a 4-fold world record holder? I guess, we will not have to wait too long for that.
– At first I let the others try in static and try to do some deepdiving or dynamics. I think my body is not made for deepdiving because I always have to spit blood. But after Vancouver [the World Team Championships in August, 2004], I‘ ll try dynamics a little more. But before I‘ ll take a long break, because it is exhausting to train that much… sometimes you need to relax. But afterwards, probably next year, I‘ m going to train seriously again. I think I could be really good at dynamics.
– So you let others play the leading role for a while and then, in 2005 you go for the 10 minutes?
– More or less. I take a break after Vancouver, and then I start to train again in earnest. Probably I will go for the 200 meters in Dynamics as well.
– Good luck, I hope you will succeed.
