Turkey hosted the Apnea World Championships, and three medals came from there to the Canary Islands – specifically to El Hierro: two gold and one silver medal in the masters category. Karsten Mohr, a 60-year-old German resident on the island of the Meridian, also set a new world record. An apnoea diving instructor by profession and nature lover by vocation.
Report on Canarian television “TV Canarias” 6.11.2022 (In Spanish)
Here is an AI-generated summary:
World record on El Hierro: Karsten Mohr dives into the depths – and into hearts
Two gold medals, a silver medal and a new world record: at the Apnea World Championships in Turkey, Karsten Mohr not only delivered top sporting performances – he also showed that deep performance and inner peace are not a question of age.
With his dives to 70, 73 and 75 meters, he became world champion in the 60+ age category, but he is even more satisfied that he also dived into the top 15 of all athletes in the overall ranking – regardless of age. “That makes me almost prouder than the gold medal for the old guys,” says Karsten with a twinkle in his eye.
Apnea with soul – instead of ego
What sets Karsten apart is not just his performance, but his attitude: safety, dedication and stillness are the pillars of his philosophy. For him, apnoea diving is a form of meditation, a way to connect with nature – not just a sporting competition.
“Apnea is meditation under water. You dive like a dolphin – calm, present, without exaggerated ambition.”
Training between volcanic cliffs and the sound of the sea
Karsten completed his preparation for the world championship at one of his favorite places: an iconic rock in the sea off El Hierro. He trained on the island for eight months, as well as on Tenerife and Lanzarote, as El Hierro lacks the necessary infrastructure for deeper training sessions, such as safety diving teams or counterweight systems.
Karsten Mohr – a teacher, not just an athlete
Despite the title, Karsten does not see himself as a competitor, but first and foremost as a teacher. He is passionate about conveying deep experiences, observing flora and fauna and apnoea diving as a mindful experience of nature.
Thank you, El Hierro – and thank you, Christina
At the end, Karsten thanks the island, his friends, the Cabildo (El Hierro’s administration) and especially his wife Christina, who accompanies and inspires him as a psychological coach. His success, he says, is a joint effort. A gift from the island, the people and the sea.
Immerse yourself – with Karsten on El Hierro
Apnoea is not just a sport, but a school of presence. Anyone who wants to experience this will not only find depth with Karsten Mohr on El Hierro, but also silence, connection and trust.