An Interview with Robbie Naish

A PEEK AT PASCAL BRONNIMANN

By: OLAF MITCHELL

Photo : Six Sences Water/Wo/Nen2011-

  I have known Pascal since he moved To Maui.

Pascal and Olaf Mitchell

He has proven himself to be a very modest man that leads by his example and lets his actions do the speaking for him.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

I have found him to be rock solid whether he is on the ocean or not.

Pascal and Fynn Merlin Bronnimann

albus aslan weston

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Pascal seems to thoroughly enjoy windsurfing and is a brilliant inspiration to everyone that comes in contact with him.

 


In fact, I would call him a true ambassador for our sport and for our aquatic life style for that matter. 

Original water color by Tracy Harrap

Pascal Bronnimann" i send everybody to kuau and tell them that ho'okipa sucks, lol! no, seriously, it isn't my fault if most people know me from the shop and say hi... doesn't mean i sent them - why would i, i hate crowds as well and want to find parking for myself ;)"

 Pascal has proven himself to be a master at expressing himself  in substantial waves often with the lightest wind imaginable.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

From Pascal Brannimann collection

He is renowned for his fluid style when port tack wave sailing !

 

If Pascal were to hold wave sailing clinics I would be one of the first to sign up.

 He has graciously honored Windsurf Maui with an interview so here we go.

WM: Hi Pascal let’s start out with where you’re from

PB :  Olaf, I am originally from Switzerland

WM:  How long have you been wind surfing Pascal
 PB  :  I have been an avid windsurfer since 1981

WM: That’s a very respectable amount of time to be involved with the sport! I’ll bet you have visited many great destinations to practice the craft. Could you comment on some of your most memorable destinations to wind surf?
PB: Olaf I don't want to mention specific names of spots but I really like to sail in Australia, Mauritius, Oahu, Fuerteventura and Maui.

WM: Thanks Pascal I can totally respect your reluctance to direct the masses to your secret stashes.

WM: I am sure you have many highlights in your wind surf career. Would you mind sharing one with me?
PB: Well Olaf my biggest highlight is that I still have so much fun most of the time when I go sailing - and there is no end in sight! 

WM: What‘s next on your list of destinations?
PB: I am hoping to get to Peru, Fiji- and I have a list of many other small islands around this world.

WM: What about your goals?
PB: Olaf I intend to help raise clean water awareness globally through +H20.
And of course to keep on having fun!

WM: As a person totally committed to the sport of windsurfing, how do you feel about The American Windsurfing Tour?

PB: I am absolutely stoked to see a revival of wave sailing events! Big kudos to Sam!

WM: Are there other sports that you are mildly or passionately involved in?
PB: I really enjoy surfing when it isn't crowded and I like snowboarding when I get to a place with good conditions.

WM: Who are your sponsors?
 PB: I sail for Quatro, Goya, Blue Planet, MFC, Chinook, Zeal Optics and Aloe Up

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

 
 
 

WM: We have touched on this briefly but would you like to mention any causes do you endorse?
PB: Again I am passionate about clean water and sustainable living for everyone on this planet. In fact I am one of the four founding members of +H20.

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Grace Delivers

April 7, 2011

Come meet the founders of +H20 and help us clean up one of our favorite spots! Announcing the +H2O and Surfrider Foundation- Maui Chapter APRIL BEACH CLEAN UP, Ho'okipa, Sunday April 17, 8 am. Free lunch by Flatbread! North Shore represent...let's show how much we care about our playground!

— with Matt Lane, Jake Miller, Keith Teboul, Pascal Bronnimann, Levi Siver and Matt J Deehan.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

From Pascal Brannimann collection

 











 

















 WM: Pascal other than being a professional windsurfer,and environmental activist what else do you do?
PB: Olaf, I am the sales manager at  Quatro and Goya

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

From Pascal Brannimann collection

photo: Olaf Mitchell

WM: Who are your personal heroes?
PB: My heroes are the people who are having fun on the water and are smiling and are sharing waves with each other.

WM: Do you have any favorite quotes?
PB: Do my own count,
      Show respect to all beings

       Live every day to the max!

                                                                                                              

  Mahalo for taking the time to share.

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo:Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

photo: Olaf Mitchell

Matt Pritchard and Shawna Cropas Windsurfing Clinics:

Attention all Windsurfers!
Are you ready to learn something new? Perfect that Jump or Jibe? How about working on your stance and making your life on the water easier and more FUN! Learn to set up your gear and make it work PERFECTLY for YOU!
Get top notch instruction from Matt Pritchard and Shawna Cropas and improve your game. Aloha Windsurfing Clinics offer a catered windsurfing holiday to Maui for our male windsurfers as well as our fair ladies. We supply our guests with the best technical advice about equipment, fine tuning the gear to suit the conditions and quick tips to improve individual skill levels. We’re able to work with all skill levels from improver to experts every day by forming small groups with guests that share common goals. We also work with everyone individually to suit their personal needs. We fill the days with learning sessions that include video analysis and step by step simulator instruction on the beach! Tons of fun, come join us!

There are 2 clinics left on the schedule for 2011:
May 14-21st
October 22-29th
Price for one week of daily instruction and some fun filled evenings out on the town is $800. If you have any questions or want further information you can contact Matt Pritchard at: matt@pritchardwindsurfing.com or Shawna Cropas at: shawnacropas@gmail.com
If you want the all inclusive package of flight/accommodations/gear rental/car rental, contact Karl at Vela Windsurf Resorts and he can set you up with a package deal: karl@velawindsurf.com
For some photo’s and other info check out: http://www.shawnacropas.com/ShawnaCropas/Maui_Clinics.html

LANES/HOOKIPA 2/17/11

Text And Photos by Olaf Mitchell
February, 17, 2011 was a day that I will remember for some time.

I had all my gear with me and went looking for a place to ether surf or wave sail.

I really thought that I was going to surf.

I drove to the beach via the Old Maui High School road to avoid the chaos in Paia and when I got to Hana highway it was clear that I wasn’t going to be surfing or wave sailing in the Kuau to Hookipa corridor.

I turned right and drove to Hookipa It was big real big so I turned around and headed towards Kanaha where I figured that I might at least get a session.

I noticed my friend Gary’s van alongside the road and thought that I would stop and get a Surf report since he usually knows what is happening at Kanaha.

Gary told me that the conditions at Kanaha were poor at best. So I pulled out my camera an started shooting the action at Lanes and The Point at Hookipa.

Here’s a little recap of the action from where I was hanging out.

There were a few wind surfers  out and some of them were just killing it and some were struggling .
 Kai Lenny made it out the channel and got a few waves but then got caught inside and he wasn't able got back out the channel.(On his windsurfer that is.)
 

 World champion wave sailor Kevin Pritchard made many attempts but couldn't find a weakness in the closed out impact zone and never made it through the channel  

 Several kiters got out and they were doing OK.

A few wind surfers Jason Polakow, Robbie Swift and a guy on a blue Maui Sail did make it outside and they just Killed it!

After being deigned on four attempts Kai turned around and went to shore.

 

He came in over the hazardous rock ledge at lanes.
 He then went to Hookipa and got his SUP and paddle and went out for another session.

 There were numerous mishaps.

The life guards were cruising down the coast looking for sailor’s kiters and surfers that had problems.