In the second part of his trip to El Hierro, BR presenter Schmidt Max not only experiences new diving adventures with apnea trainer Karsten Mohr, but also discovers the culinary diversity, the volcanic past and the magic of this wild, small island on the edge of Europe.
Here is the second part from 12.12.2019:
Canary Islands voyage of discovery: El Hierro above and under water (2/2) | freizeit | BR
Here is the link to the report in the ARD media library:
Peace, depth and taste – apnea diving and island life with Karsten Mohr (AI-generated summary of the program)
Off into the open water
After the first breathing exercises, Max heads to the Atlantic. Under Karsten’s guidance, he learns to connect with the element of water – with composure, technique and trust in his own body. Karsten explains the physiological wonders that take place in the body: From the diving reflex to the spleen reaction to oxygen economy – the human organism is perfectly prepared for apnoea diving.
“Our body knows what to do – if we stop disturbing it.”
Island flavor and genuine craftsmanship
After the dive, the stomach can also take a dive: There are quesadillas from El Hierro, a sweet cheese pastry lovingly prepared by Carmen and Andrés, who are the second generation to bake the family recipe. Like so much on El Hierro, this is local, honest and has a history.
Later, we head to the El Refugio restaurant in La Restinga: freshly caught alfonsinos and amberjacks, prepared with nothing but oil and salt. Karsten emphasizes: “Here we only use fishing rods and nets, no trawls, no destruction. El Hierro shows that sustainable fishing works – and is delicious.
The volcano under your feet
Karsten takes Max to the volcano museum, where they learn more about the huge underwater eruption of 2011 – just a few kilometers off the coast. Sulphur, lava, evacuations. The underwater world suffered – and regenerated surprisingly quickly. Today, the zone is considered one of the best diving areas in the world.
Rest is the key
For Karsten, apnea is not a sport, but an inner attitude:
“It’s not adrenaline that takes you to the depths, but devotion.”
In a quiet bay in Tacorón, he shows Max a special place: a light-flooded rock arch under water, which they dive through together. For Max, it is a moment full of clarity and a childhood feeling:
“I was completely calm, completely with myself. Almost like before – just down, without thinking.”
Switch off, recharge your batteries, marvel
El Hierro has an effect – even on land. On a hike through changing vegetation zones, Max discovers the spiritual side of the island: fairy forests, pilgrim paths, misty moss and finally the “sacred tree” Garoé, which used to provide water where there were no springs.
“The island brings you down. Just like that. And suddenly you understand why Karsten stayed here.”
Conclusion: apnea is more than just holding your breath – it’s a way of life
With his course, Karsten Mohr shows that depth is not created through performance, but through trust, presence and letting go. El Hierro – rough, powerful and quiet at the same time – offers the perfect environment for this. And Schmidt Max? He says thank you. And dives through once again.