61 This blog is part of our ongoing Employee Spotlight series celebrating the diverse talents and passions of the Scality team. At Scality, our motto is “Work Hard, Play Hard” — and Sales Engineer Peter Long brings that spirit to life in and out of the office. High performance is part of our DNA, and Peter exemplifies it in more ways than one. When he’s not guiding customers through complex IT challenges, he’s diving to jaw-dropping depths — literally. As one of France’s top freedivers, Peter qualified for and competed in the prestigious 2025 Championnat de France d’Apnée Piscine (French Indoor National Freediving Championship), earning an impressive #8 national ranking. The ultimate “work hard, play hard” athlete Peter’s achievements showcase exactly what our company motto means in action. Just as he brings precision and focus to solving Scality’s most complex technical challenges, he applies the same dedication to mastering one of the world’s most mentally and physically demanding sports. Organized by FFESSM (Fédération Française d’Études et de Sports Sous-Marins), France’s national championship brings together elite athletes competing in underwater disciplines such as freediving, finswimming, and PSP (Plongée Sportive en Piscine). In freediving, competitors swim underwater on a single breath — no oxygen tanks, no surfacing — relying only on mental control, physical conditioning, and precision technique. Events include: STA (static apnea): How long you can hold your breath DYN (dynamic with monofin): How far you can swim underwater in one breath It’s a sport that demands stamina, laser focus, and resilience — the same qualities Peter brings to his work with Scality customers every day. Competing with the best — the path to nationals and beyond Getting to the national level takes unwavering focus. From September through May, freedivers across France compete in regional events to earn national rankings, with results based on time, distance, and depth in various disciplines. Peter’s qualifying stats for the national competition: National ranking: #11 in France (out of the top 15 nationally) STA (static apnea): 7 minutes, 18 seconds breath-hold DYN (dynamic with monofin): 184 meters underwater on single breath A champion’s journey: From summer swims to national competition Peter’s connection to water began early, during childhood summers spent swimming in the sea. That early passion — combined with a love of friendly competition — eventually led him to spearfishing about 15 years ago. Looking to improve his technique and endurance, he joined a local freediving club and soon committed to a year of focused training. “Freediving helps me disconnect completely,” Peter says. “When I practice, I forget everything else. It’s like meditation — just me and the sounds of the sea.” In 2018, Peter took his passion to the next level, entering the competitive freediving scene. This year marks his fourth appearance at the French national championship. He has also earned all FFESSM freediving certifications and shares his expertise by training other athletes. Competition highlights and lessons from this year’s French championship When we checked in with Peter following this year’s competition, he shared both highlights and lessons, stating, “The event was intense. The final results are good and I am always happy at the end to have performed at the national level. Each event has its good and bad aspects.” Peter’s freediving championship performance highlights: National ranking: #8 in France (among the top 15 nationally) STA (static apnea): 7 minutes, 3 seconds breath-hold DYN (dynamic with monofin): 185.44 meters underwater on single breath Peter ranked well among the elite fifteen national competitors, with an impressive time in the STA event. In the DYN event, Peter also delivered a strong performance, surpassing his previous distance with a 185.44-meter swim. Unfortunately, a brief technical error during the surfacing protocol — a momentary dip of the mouth below water after completing the dive — resulted in a nullified score. While the ruling was a tough break, Peter demonstrated true sportsmanship and resilience. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “I learned from this event, took some tips, and am ready to improve my performance for the next season.” A powerful reminder that even at the highest level, it’s the mindset and drive to keep growing that sets true champions apart. The Scality connection: Excellence under pressure Whether Peter is helping customers optimize their data storage environments, or holding his breath for over seven minutes underwater, he demonstrates the same qualities that make our team exceptional: mental focus, technical precision, and grace under pressure. His freediving achievements exemplify how our “Work Hard, Play Hard” culture enables team members to pursue excellence and follow their passions in all aspects of life. As Peter continues training for future competitions, we celebrate his journey and dedication to both freediving and professional excellence. Congratulations, Peter! You’re living proof that when you work hard and play hard, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Want to learn more about our amazing team? Follow our Employee Features blog series to discover the diverse talents, passions, and achievements of Scality employees around the world.
