From the ice to the depths

First a professional ice hockey player, now world champion in apnoea diving and also a quality expert at Implenia: our colleague Chris Langer shows how passion, discipline and curiosity open up new horizons - underwater and in life.

When you meet Chris Langer, Senior Quality Specialist, in the office today, you would hardly guess that he used to cause a sensation on the ice. He became Swiss champion with SC Bern in 1997 and played professionally in the National League A until 2001. Born in Hamburg, he came to Switzerland at the age of two, grew up in Bern and later in Rapperswil - where he discovered his passion for ice hockey.

A career with vision

Even then, he was already thinking ahead: parallel to his sporting career, he studied environmental sciences at ETH Zurich. "That was hard, but important for the time after sport," he says. At the end of his ice hockey career, he also completed his studies and started his professional life. Today, the 56-year-old works in Global Quality at Implenia.

New paths: Aikido and apnoea diving

Chris remained active in sport even after his professional career ended: he has been practising aikido since 1996. He now runs his own dojo with friends and holds 4th Dan. How did he get into aikido? "I'm fascinated by the elegance of the movements and the constant learning."

In 2010, a coincidence came into play: while snorkeling in Egypt, he came across a sea turtle and was fascinated by observing the animal. The turtle didn't seem to be afraid of him. However, his breath only lasted for a few seconds. "I wanted to stay down longer to capture moments like this for as long as possible and become part of the underwater world." Thus began his journey into apnoea diving - diving without breathing apparatus. What started as a vacation hobby became a passion. Today, he trains in Lake Zurich and in indoor pools to be ready for the sea.

"When you resurface and take your first breath, it's almost like a rebirth. "

Chris Langer, Senior Quality Specialist

Meditation under water

"Freediving is meditative," says Chris. "You have to be calm, let go, be at peace with yourself." Yoga and breathing exercises are part of this. For him, every dive is a ritual: "My motto: Come up with a smile. I want to enjoy the dive, not push my limits." There is also a link to his professional work in quality management: continuously working to improve, recognizing mistakes and learning from them.

Successes that impress

Today, Chris is eight-time Swiss champion in the deep. He also won three gold and one silver medal in the 50+ age group at the World Championships in Greece in September 2025. His deepest dive was 92 meters, his personal record. 92 meters is on a par with the tallest buildings Implenia builds. He was underwater for two minutes and 45 seconds for this dive. That's like listening to Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock and holding your breath the whole time. At the 2025 World Championships, Chris achieved 5th place overall. He currently holds 38th place in the world rankings and has been number 1 in Switzerland for years anyway.

"Quality means constantly improving - in sport as well as at work."

Chris Langer, Senior Quality Specialist

Discipline as the key

To achieve these successes, Chris puts up with a rigorous daily routine: 80% workload, training at least once a day, often twice - swimming, yoga, aikido. "Discipline and organization are crucial. Just like when I was combining my studies and professional sport."

Outlook

And how long will he continue? "As long as I enjoy it. Without sponsors, without pressure. There are newcomers who will pass by at some point - and that's a good thing."