Kategorie: News
An interview with Paul “Paule” Held, the Bavarian hairdresser and diving instructor who also cuts hair underwater
Paul Held is no ordinary hairdresser. Born in 1963, the Bavarian has been wielding scissors for over half a century – and he does so with passion. In his salon in Olching, he wields scissors, combs, and hairspray with the same confidence as buoys, diving suits, and breathing apparatus. Why? Because for him, there are only two true elixirs of life: water and hair.
“When there was no TV at home, the boy had no choice but to sit in front of the aquarium,” says Held with a hearty laugh about his early diving years. He has been diving for 41 years, completed his diving training in the Olympic pool in Munich, and then dived into Lake Starnberg – and in 1986, he had his first big “aha” moment in the Maldives, which has never left him.
Over the years, Paul Held has dived in 39 countries as a diving instructor. But his statement remains clear:
“The most impressive experience? That's the next dive!”
What really annoys him about diving – and not just underwater
When asked what annoys him, he is in top form:
“Incompetent divers – not the beginners who want to learn, but the self-glorifying buoyancy deniers who think they float like dolphins and take everything that isn't screwed down with them.”
Environmental pollution and coral bleaching also annoy him deeply, but his greatest anger is directed at... well, you know:
“The Bode strategists among the ego divers. It may sound harsh, but it really gets under my skin.”
Emergencies: Nothing happens, but always available
Paul is experienced – but not aloof:
“Catastrophic emergencies? Fortunately, no. But sure, I did get caught in a downward current in the Maldives once – a real washing machine. And, yes, I got everyone back on the boat.”
Another time, it was a triggerfish that punched a hole in his diving buddy's forehead – Paul calmly helped out. And he also had a problem as a dive leader once:
“A student got mild DCS – everything was fine when we surfaced, but it got her. She was taken to the chamber – everything turned out fine.”
Diving privately – and being recognized as a TL?
“I'll start with my logbook – 1,847 dives. There's no getting away from secret TL instruction anyway.”
Nevertheless, he tries to dive privately – and does so with his wife Stefanie, who is herself a CMAS Gold diver and runs a travel blog.
“I love diving with her – she's the best buddy there is.”
From hairdressing apprentice to underwater stylist
His beard is authentically Bavarian, his heart is Bavarian loud, and his story could easily be in the Guinness Book of Records:
“I did my apprenticeship in '76, passed my master's exam in '82 – and I've had my own business for 43 years. My mom, Christa, retired in '93. Then I went to the Maldives from '95 to '97 – and while I was diving, she ran the shop.”
And, yes, he actually cut hair underwater – at a depth of 28 meters, on a wreck dive in the Maldives, in full 60-ultra styling:
“I always have scissors and a comb with me. It was a joke – but I did cut hair. Well, I mean, I did the finishing touches on land!”
What's the best way to dive with what kind of hair?
Finally, a practical tip from the hair artist from the water:
“As little hair as possible. I have way too much myself – but the main thing is that it doesn't get in the mask.”
A conclusion as Bavarian as a Weißwurst breakfast
Paul “Paule” Held is not your typical diving instructor – nor is he your average hairdresser. With 50 years of experience in hairdressing, 40 years of passion for diving and an unshakeable sense of humour, he shows that you can master life in your own unique way – with a moustache, scissors and an oxygen tank.
Stefanie's travel blog shows their adventures together – from South Sea pearls to diving adventures. Her texts and pictures are a loving complement to the talk of the real Paule. https://stefanieheld.wordpress.com/
A real hero – underwater, on land, and in life.