Intervju s Tomom Sietasom

Intervju s Tomom Sietasom

Z velikim veseljem vam danes predstavljamo intervju z osebo, ki je zelo dobro poznana v svetu potapljanja na vdih. Upal bi si trditi, da je že nekaj let najboljši potapljač na vdih v bazenskih disciplinah in bo tudi še nekaj let ostal. Je prvi človek, ki je dosegel velike mejnike v našem športu kot na primer 10+ minut v statiki, 250 preplavanimi metri s plavutmi in 200+ metri preplavanimi brez plavuti. Trenutno je večkratni svetovni rekorder v vseh bazenskih disciplinah. Mislim, da ste sedaj že ugotovili o kom govorimo. Točno, o Tomu Sietasu.

Interview with Tom Sietas

It’s a great pleasure to bring this interview with a man whose name is good known through out the apnea community. I dare to say he has been the best pool freediver the last couple of years, still is and will be for years to come. He is the fist man that reached great milestones in our sport as he is still the only one with a 10+ minutes static performance, a 250m dynamics with fins and 200+m dynamic without fins performance. He is the current and multiple world record holder in all pool disciplines. I think you guessed the name right after reading the first words. Right, I’m talking about Tom Sietas.

Kje si se rodil?

Rodil sem se 12. januarja v Hamburgu, Nemčiji.

When and where were you born?

I was born on January 12 in Hamburg.

Ali si že zaposlen ali še obiskuješ kakšno šolo?

Ker se resno ukvarjam s potapljanjem na vdih moj študij le počasi napreduje, tako da sem še vedno na univerzi.

Do you already have a job or are you still at school?

As I am doing freediving seriously my studies are progressing slowly and I am still at University.

Katero šolo obiskuješ? Ali želiš v prihodnosti delati v tej stroki?

Dobro vprašanje. Trenutno sodelujem v veliko različnih projektih in ne morem s sigurnostjo reči kaj bom delal v prihodnosti. Definitivno bom najprej diplomiral nato pa… – bomo videli. Mogoče odprem šolo potapljanja s Sandijem Bitencem… ;).

What school do you visit and are you planning to work in your profession in the future?

Very good question. Right now I am involved in many different projects and I can’t say what I will be doing in the future. I will definitely graduate and then – lets see. Perhaps I will be opening a dive school with Sandi Bitenc… ;-).

Velikokrat ob tebi vidimo simpatično dekle. A je to tvoja punca, žena, trenerka…?

Sarah je moja punca. Skupaj sva že skoraj 2 leti. Zelo me podpira v mojem športu. Trenira z menoj in mi daje nasvete o prehrani saj bo v naslednjem letu diplomirala na področju športne prehrane.

We see a cute girl beside you many times. Is she your girlfriend, wife, trainer…?

Sarah is my girlfriend for almost two years now. She supports me a lot when it comes to freediving. She trains with me and gives me advice about nutrition since she will graduate in nutrition and sport next year.

Ali nam lahko poveš kaj več o sebi in kako si pričel s potapljanjem na vdih?

Bil sem star že 23 let in sem bil prepričan, da sem že prestar, da pričnem z kakšnim novim športom, vendar sem po dopustu na Jamajki, kjer sem opravil SCUBA tečaj, spoznal nasprotno. Po prvem dnevu tečaja sem se naučil izenačevati pritisk ter se tako znebil bolečin v ušesih in po prvem dnevu šnorklanja so mi rekli, da so globine, na katere sem se potapljal blizu tistim, ki so se udeleževali tekmovanj v prostem potapljanju. Moja inštruktorica da naj poskusim – in pač sem…

Could you tell me a bit more about yourself and how and when you started with freediving?

I was 23 years old and thought it was way too late to start a new sport, but after a holiday in Jamaica where I attended a SCUBA dive course, I realized it was not. After the first day of practice I got rid of the pain-in-the-ear problem and after the first day of snorkeling I was told that the depth I had reached was similar to that of some freedivers who were doing the sport competitively. My dive instructor told me that I should give it a try – and so did I…

Kaj te pri potapljanju na vdih najbolj navdušuje?

Da sem obkrožen z vodo in pozabim na potrebo po vdihu. V teh trenutkih imam občutek da sem del podvodnega sveta.

What enthuses you most in freediving?

Being surrounded by water and forgetting the urge to breath. In these moments I feel like I belong to the underwater world.

Ali si član kakšnega društva, tima?

Ne.

Are you a part of any team or club?

No.

Ali se je možno s prostim potapljanjem ukvarjati tudi profesionalno? A je možno živet od tega?

Potapljanje na vdih je večinoma organizirano in promovirano s strani ne profesionalcev in tako ne doseže neke medijske odmevnosti, kot smo lahko videli na svetovnem prvenstvu v Hurgadi, zato je od tega težko živeti. Vendar če se ti uspe dobro promovirati in če si vrhunski atlet dalj časa si lahko prislužiš za skromno življenje.

Do you think it’s possible to do freediving professionally? Is it possible to live from it?

Since freediving is mostly promoted by non professionals and doesn’t have so much media attention as you saw in the WC in Hurghada, it is very difficult to live from it. But if you are well promoted and if you are a top level athlete for a long time you can make a humble living.

Se ukvarjaš tudi z drugimi podvodnimi športi kot sta SCUBA potapljanje in podvodni lov?

Sem PADI divemaster in nekoč sem se tudi preizkusil v podvodnem lovu, vendar z malo uspeha.

Do you scuba dive or spearfish?

I am a PADI divemaster and I also did some spearfishing once but it was rather little successful.

Ali si dejaven še na kakšnih drugih področjih povezanih s potapljanjem (trener, vodja, predsednik kakšnega društva…)?

Ne.

Are you also active on any other diving areas (trainer, captain, president of a club…)?

No.

Ali veš natančno koliko svetovnih rekordov si postavil do sedaj?

Mislim, da jih je bilo 10.

Do you know exactly how many world record you set?

I think it were 10.

Kakšne fizične in psihične kvalitete mora imeti potapljač svetovnega kova?

Velika pljuča, močne noge in visoke vrednosti hemoglobina zelo pomagajo. Vendar mislim, da je psihična moč odločilnega pomena. Imeti moraš voljo in željo za težak trening in se na njega popolnoma osredotočit.

What physical and psychical qualities does a world class freediver have to have?

Big lungs, strong legs and high hemoglobin levels help you a lot. But I also think the mental strength is very decisive. You must be willing to train hard and to focus on the training.

Koliko vpliva genski profil in koliko velikost pljuč na držanje diha? Mimogrede kako velika pa so tvoja pljuča?

Menim, da je genska zasnova prav tako pomembna kot kapaciteta pljuč. Moja kapaciteta je okrog 7 litrov.

How much of a consequence is the genetic profile and how much lung capacity in breath holding? By the way what is your lung capacity?

In my opinion the genetic profile is as important as lung capacity. My lung capacity is around 7 liters.

Kako in koliko treniraš pred postavljanjem rekorda? Ali treniraš po standardnih atletskih metodah (3 ciklusi: predpriprava, uvajanje in specialni trening) ali uporabljaš kakšne posebne metode?

Ko delam kardio vadbe se opiram na standardne metode v dinamičnem treningu pa uporabljam le malo standardnih metod treninga. V zadnjem času sem preklopil na metodo imenovano internet poker J.

How and how much do you train before taking on a record? Do you train on standard athletic methods (3 cycles: preparation, introducing and special) or do you use any special methods?

I do rely on standard methods when it comes to cardio training and I integrated some modules in my dynamic training. But recently I shifted to a method called internet poker :).

Ali nam lahko opišeš kako zgleda tvoj tipični trening?

Vstanem okrog 11. ure se prijavim v holdempoker.com in razmišljam o novih strategijah za turnir. Malo heca. Pravzaprav vstanem ob desetih in grem na bazen. Če se pripravljam za tekmovanje, ki vključuje vse bazenske discipline, začnem z dvema maksimalnima statikama in nadaljujem z nekaj maksimalnimi dinamikami z in brez plavuti. Po tem veliko plavam in na koncu se včasih nagradim še z počivanjem v savni.

Could you describe your typical training day for us?

Getting up at 11 o’clock logging in to holdempoker.com and making up new strategies for the tournament. Just kidding. Actually I get up at ten and go to the pool. If I prepare for a competition which includes all indoor disciplines I start with two max static sessions and then a few max dynamics with and without fins. After that I do a lot of swimming and in the end I sometimes reward myself and relax in the Sauna.

Ali uporabljaš kakšne alternativne metode kot so meditacija, joga…?

Ne.

Do you use any alternative methods like meditation, yoga…?

No.

Koliko vpliva pravilna prehrana na potapljanje? Kako zgleda tvoj jedilnik pred tekmovanjem?

Mislim, da obstajajo pomembnejše stvari kot prehrana, vendar mislim da je dobro če ješ zdravo. Dan pred tekmovanjem pojem veliko ogljikovih hidratov in na dan tekme, 5 ur pred nastopom ne jem nič.

How much does nutrition and food matter? How does your menu look like before a competition?

There are more important things, but I think it is good when you eat healthy. The day before a competition I eat a lot of carbs and on comp. day I don’t eat 5 hours before the performance.

Vemo, da je priprava pred nastopom zelo pomembna. Kako zgleda tvoja priprava, če ni skrivnost?

Poskušam globoko dihati s trebuhom in se sprostiti. Nato pakiram, da pripravim svoja pljuča in po rahli hiperventilaciji startam.

We know preparation before a performance is very important. How does your preparation look like if it’s not a secret?

I just try to breath deep down in my belly and relax. Then I pack for preparing my lungs and after a slight hyperventilation I start.

O čem razmišljaš v času pod vodo?

Poskušam, da ne bi razmišljaš o ničemer, kar pa vedno ne uspe in nato razmišljam o stvareh kot na primer: »Ali sem res ugasnil štedilnik?«

What do you think about in the time underwater?

I try not to think at all, but it doesn’t work often and then I think about things like: Did I really turn off the oven?

 Ali te je pod vodo kdaj strah?

Enkrat sem pri globinskem potapljanju izgubil vrv na 65m globine v mračnem, črnem jezeru, kjer nisem imel svetilke in lanyarda. To me je skoraj na smrt prestrašilo.

 Do you ever get or got scared while diving?

Once I lost the diving rope at 65m in a dark, black lake where I didn’t have a light or a lanyard, this almost scared me to death.

Kaj je tvoja najboljša izkušnja v potapljanju na vdih?

Moj najlepši potop je bil, ko me je obkrožila skupina delfinov, ki so se želeli igrati z menoj. Vsi smo bili z glavami navzgor na 25m in jaz sem bil v njihovi sredini. Gledali so me in spuščali smešne zvoke in kretnje.

What are your best freediving experiences?

My best freedive was, when a group of dolphins surrounded me and wanted to play with me. We were all heads up in the water at 25m and I was in the middle of them. They looked at me and made funny noises and movements.

Ali planiraš kakšne nove rekorde v bližnji prihodnosti? Mogoče kaj globinskih?

V kratkem bom opravil nekaj globinskih potopov. Če bom postavil kak nov rekord pa še ne morem reč.

Do you plan to break any records in the near future? Maybe some depth records?

Soon I’m gonna be going for some deepdiving. If I break records I can’t say yet.

Ali bomo v kratkem slišali o kakšnem zanimivem projektu?

O ja, kar nekaj resnih planov je vendar pa še niso 100%. Vam bom povedal v kratkem kaj več.

Will we hear about any interesting project soon?

Oh yes, there are many serious plans but they are not 100% certain. I will let you know in the near future.

Kakšni so tvoji cilji v potapljanju na vdih?

Želel, bi se potapljati kje v kakšnem lepšem okolju in ne samo v bazenu.

What are your future goals in freediving?

I want to do some freediving in beautiful environment, not only in the swimming pool.

Kje misliš, da so meje potapljanja na vdih za človeka (globina, čas, dolžina)?

Menim, da so meje še daleč vstran. 150m globine, 300m dožine in 12 minut statike so popolnoma realne.

Where do you think will be the limit in freediving for humans (depth, time, distance)?

The limits are far away. 150m depth, 300m distance and 12min static are realistic.

Kakšen nasvet bi dal mlademu športniku, ki se odloča za tekmovalno kariero in kakšnega rekreativnemu potapljaču?

Mladi športnik naj razmišlja o tem kaj počne, o svojih ciljih v tem športu in kako pripraviti pravi trening za to. Ne trošite časa z nepravilnim treningom.
Rekreativni potapljač naj se nauči osnov potapljanja na vdih vendar naj se ne poglablja preveč. Ne čakajte da vam kdo pove skrivnost statike – enostavno ne obstaja.

What advice would you give a young sportsman who is deciding for a competitive career and what to a recreative freediver?

A young sportsman should think of what he is doing, his goals in this sport and how to create the right training plan. Don’t waste your time doing improper training.
A recreational diver should learn the basics about freediving but should not get into it too deep. Don’t wait for anybody to tell you the secret of statics – it doesn’t exist.

Katere stvari začetniki v tem športu nikakor ne smejo nikoli poskusit?

Pravkar smo imeli nov smrtni primer potapljača v bazenu. Nikoli ne trenirajte sami!!!

What is the one thing people starting with this sport should never try to do?

We just had another freediver who died in a swimming pool. Never train alone!!!

Udeležil si se MAD CUPa 2006, tekme v Mariboru. Kaj meniš o tekmi in organizatorjih?

Tekmovanje je bilo zelo dobro organizirano z več medijske pozornosti kot svetovno prvenstvo v Švici. Še enkrat čestitke organizatorjem in H2O teamu.

You attended the MAD CUP 2006 competition in Maribor. What do you think about the competition and the team that organized it?

The competition was well organized and had more media attention than the World Championships in Switzerland. Congratulations again to the organizers and the H2O team.

Ali boš Maribor in MAD CUP ponovno obiskal?

Seveda, tekmovanje mi je bilo zelo všeč in našel sem nove prijatelje.

Will you visit Maribor and MAD CUP again in the future?

Of course, I liked the competition very much and I have found new friends here.

Če bi imel vso znanje in izkušnje ki jih imaš sedaj, kaj bi naredil drugače na začetku svoje kariere?

Nebi trošil toliko časa z delanjem le ene statike in ene dinamike na teden.

If you had all the knowledge and experience you have now, what would you do different in the beginning of your freediving career?

I wouldn’t waste so much time doing only one static and one dynamic a week.

Ali bi za konec želel še kaj dodati, kakšen nasvet, našim bralcem?

Ljudje, ki sprašujejo in poslušajo so običajno pametnejši kot ljudje, ki le govorijo. Enako velja za potapljače na vdih.

Are there any last words or advice you would like to give to our readers?

People who ask and listen are usually cleverer than people who just talk. The same goes for freedivers.