André Wiersig and the Wadden Sea Odyssey: A tribute to Otto Kemmerich

In May 2024, extreme swimmer André Wiersig once again proved why he is one of the best in his field with his Wadden Sea odyssey. As part of this impressive feat, he swam the challenging route from Husum via several Halligen islands and islets to Sylt. His undertaking was more than just a sporting adventure – it was a tribute to Otto Kemmerich, a visionary swimmer who completed a similar route around 100 years ago and made history in the process.

A connection between past and present

Otto Kemmerich was a pioneer of long-distance swimming in the 1920s. His daring trips across the North Sea and Baltic Sea were admired and made him a legend of the sport of swimming. André Wiersig, known for his mastery of the Ocean’s Seven, was inspired by Kemmerich’s swimming and created a monument to it with the Wadden Sea Odyssey.

The route through the Wadden Sea is not only a sporting challenge, but also a journey through a unique natural landscape. Wiersig overcame extreme currents, changing weather conditions and the treacherous mudflats, which are constantly changing.

Focus on protecting the Wadden Sea

In addition to the sporting achievement, the Wadden Sea Odyssey was also an appeal to protect this fragile and impressive environment. Wiersig took the opportunity to draw attention to the importance of the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More in the article and video

You can find a detailed report on André Wiersig’s Wadden Sea odyssey on Amrum-News. It gives an impressive account of the challenges and emotions involved in the swim. Although André Wiersig is a particularly extreme swimmer – André is the first German to complete the Oceans Seven – he had to put on a wetsuit halfway from Föhr to Wittdün due to the cold of the North Sea. He should have had a FlipSoc with him – putting on a wet wetsuit in the middle of a competition in cold water is certainly no fun…

Take a look at the YouTube video that documents the life of Otto Kemmerich in moving images and takes the viewer on this journey up close.

Conclusion

With the Wadden Sea Odyssey, André Wiersig has not only set sporting standards, but has also reminded us of the history of swimming and at the same time brought the importance of environmental protection to the fore. This achievement will not only leave a lasting impression in the world of swimming, but also in the minds of all nature lovers.