Naturally Sylt

When you talk about your childhood adventures in the Lister countryside, the images from the Fatih Akin film "Amrum" come to mind: when little Nanning almost drowns in the mudflats between Föhr and Amrum because he is trying to get sugar for his sick mother from his uncle on Föhr in 1945….

Werner Mansen: Sounds exciting. I haven't seen the film yet. From the late 50s onwards, I was always out and about in the Lister countryside, observing birds and exploring nature. That was my driving force all my life. Once, as a boy, I even fell into a tidal creek*... luckily, it turned out alright.

You managed the Braderup Nature Centre for a long time and still bring people the natural wonders closer to the island. A hike with you is more than just imparting knowledge; it's a small revelation. Another mainstay of your work used to be storms rather than current events: your lecture "Sylt in the Hurricane" as well as Uwe Sönnichsen's "Great Flood" were perennial favorites in the Sylt events calendar. Why don't you give the lecture anymore?

Werner Mansen: I really need a good night's sleep; it's become sacred to me. Giving lectures in the evening and then not being able to rest for a long time wasn't good for me. Besides, slide presentations are a bit outdated. Direct experiences in nature and exciting new cultural formats like the current Storm Week are much more impactful.

You still enjoy being direct and, quite literally, out in the thick of things. What is it about this that fascinates you?

Werner Mansen: For me, it's primarily about the immediate interest in natural history and documenting the existential changes that storms bring. That's why we hike around the Odde, because nowhere else are the effects of nature's forces more evident. But storms are also fascinating on a spiritual level: so much energy, so much power. It's a time for people to realign themselves, to experience humility and respect. A storm is dynamic, dangerous, and transformative. Wild storms inspire, awaken emotions, and foster compassion and respect. But they also bring about less virtuous things like a thirst for sensationalism. All these aspects—except the last—play a role during Storm Week.

Locals on Sylt like to emphasize their resilience during storms and downplay the weather event with phrases like: "It's really blowing hard today. But it's only a real storm when the sheep lose their curls!" Have you ever actually been afraid during a storm?

Werner Mansen: No. Experiencing storms has always fascinated me. I think I'm generally quite fearless. But of course, I know and respect the rules and limits that nature sets for me.

Ela Schnebbe usually works remotely for the Medical Health editorial team of the Bauer Media Group in Hamburg. Before she sits down at her computer in the morning, she cycles from Wenningstedt to Kampen, because the beach section balaclava for their Winter bathing fun With its short access road and imposing beauty, it offers the best conditions. Also their Cold bath workshop She will celebrate it in the restaurant of the same name (for the theoretical part) against the backdrop of the Red Cliff.

In winter, as a resident of Sylt, you practically know everyone you meet on the beach. In this case, Ela wins her chance encounter for a short warm-up exercise and for testing the bath temperature with your hand.

Remember: For first-time ice swimmers, it is very important to know whether the Healthy cardiovascular system It is. Also good: Test under a cold shower for a while to see if your body can tolerate it. extreme cold stimulus I like it at all.