In the freediverswereldje belongs Gert Leroy from Nieuwerkerken to the Belgian top. His age is certainly not a disadvantage. “In most sports peak you are around your thirties. From 36 à 37 years, is the end of your career near. In the freediven that is different. The mental aspect plays here a big role. It is about ‘mind control’. It is about relaxed and zen. The more thoughts, the more your brain oxygen will consume. The older you are, the better you get the non-ending stream of thoughts can stop. Your lung capacity can increase by training, but freediven is mostly about peace and quiet in your head.”
Aalst Nieuwerkerkenaar Gert Leroy (43) is one of the few foreigners to be selected for the Philippine Depth National Chamionship that this month. The best freedivers in the world compete against each other. The breath-hold divers try without bottles of compressed air as deep as possible to swim. “Zen in your head is more important than a large lung capacity,” says Gert.