After the PWA event in Austria, the British freestyle windsurfer Max Rowe travelled to Egypt and took part in his first international photo shoot. Together with his team mates, he got invited to Soma Bay in Egpyt to caputure the 2013 North and Fanatic equipment. Max did a little write-up about his time in Egypt.
Max Rowe, Gollito Estredo, Andre Paskowski - Pic: Sebastian Schöffel
Max Rowe (K-448):
“After being invited to my first ever official photo shoot for Fanatic/ North in Soma bay my initial thoughts were of complete excitement and gratitude, as it all got a little bit closer the nerves definitely started to kick in a little bit. I knew all the other riders going so it wasn’t that making me nervous it was more just realisation of the massive opportunity I’d been presented with!
Pic: Sebastian Schöffel
After an extremely hectic week at the PWA event in Austria, I was leaving to Egypt straight from the event. After being so nervous upon arriving I was instantly relaxed by the chilled out vibe around the dinner table. Although the obvious point of the trip was to get the shots and footage we needed I could already tell it was going to be a great bonding trip for the whole team. After sailing the first day it was pretty clear that the wind was going to disappear for the following few days. Now we had time to go all out on some seriously entertaining lifestyle shots. The casino shots will show the best story as we’re all in character believing that we are high rollers at a Blackjack table in Vegas! Paskowski was so excited that he’d got his best ever Poker hand but quickly remembered it wasn’t to be.
The Poker shots were very entertaining to shoot, It was one of the funniest evenings of the trips. We weren’t actually playing for real but we were getting very into our roles. Gollito was stealing poker chips from Nik and also looking at his cards when his back was turned so there was lots of shouting going on.
Of course as professional athletes the glasses we are drinking from don’t contain whiskey. Instead we opted for the far healthier Jagermeister!!!
Nik Baker, Yoli de Brendt and Max Rowe - Pic: Sebastian Schöffel
As I mentioned before Andre was possibly the most dissapointed by the evening. In the final round he got dealt the best poker hand of his life, fortunately his bluffing skills were too good and before he had the chance to claim his prize everybody had started chucking in their cards as Nik grabbed all the chips for himself.
The whole Fanatic/North team - Pic: Sebastian Schöffel
Having met craig in Mauritius many years ago when he offered to let me borrow the prototype boards for the next season and knowing how hard Mr Baker works to promote windsurfing (not just Fanatic) in the UK I think it is very unfair to judge how they choose to promote their brand. Also must wish all the best to Andy in his treatment and respect him for all of his work during a time when he has been very ill.
Incidentally I ride an RRD but i love windsurfing and that’s what is important!
Whilst it is exciting to be on your first international photo shoot, I would loved to have seen a sneak peak at the 2013 gear, or even a BTS of a Hassleblad or some profoto lighting gear or a cool camera rig.
There is probably a bit of jealousy from us mere mortals who are stuck couchsurfing waiting for the next front. I know I would rather be in Egypt sailing rather than sitting on a couch.
Can’ t wait to see the new season gear.
good exampke with the ION man, an event which was considerably influenced in concept by Fanatic, won by the Fanatic team as well as attended by a Fanatic team almost every year it has happened…so we can´t be that hopeless…:-) the pics of the guys playing poker are just for a little fun and don´t take them too seriously, I don´t think the boys even really played much, was just to have some different pics, they are all down to earth don´t worry. Steven/pryde etc, yes good job, they know how to market their riders, just as any other top… Read more »
Craig,
i would not even bother about these keyboard surfers!
It might be a nice idea to show the stars in funny actions. A good situation to do this was for example the “ION man” contest or other video productions conveying lifestyle like the freestyle video from Brazil by Josh Willmot. This ridiculous “poker-shoot” might be good fun to you guys, but it won´t raise your sale numbers, keep your riders down-to-earth! A lot more exemplary was the Pryde group on surf-festival in Germany, where the world champion in Freestyle and other german team riders helped the testers rigging the setting up the stuff! Haven´t seen anybody from the North… Read more »
dont forget , that andre had his last chemo one day before . but you superman would have had the power to help everybody ?! i think everybody should go kitesurfing … thats really cool … and siiiick ! oh no even better … internetsurfing for writing stupid comments ( what i am doing at the moment , so i am stupid ) !
respect and robustheit , peace out to all eals out there:) windsurfing is cool !