David Arnaud - Thinkliquid.net

I must say the last few months have been hectic! I've been very busy working on various events and projects lately.

It all started last february with the Winter Outdoor Games. After participating in the first three editions of the summer version of this world-reknowned event, this time I was working for the organization. I spent a few days following the teams in the Mont-Blanc area, capturing incredible skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering and speed-flying action.

At work, with the Mont-Blanc in the background. Photo: P. Fragnol / Nissan Outdoor Games by Columbia

I was also lucky enough to fly two times over the Mont-Blanc, to shoot action from the air. An helicopter flight over the Alps is a truely unique experience, and during the flights back to the dropzone the pilots gave us some really radical sensations. I couldn't even imagine what those machines were capable of in terms of maniability. Better have a strong stomach and light lunch!

Antoine Montant, speed-riding. Photo P.Fragnol / Nissan Outdoor Games by Columbia

Wing-suit jump from the helico. Photo P.Fragnol / Nissan Outdoor Games by Columbia

During the end of the week I was in charge of answering the multiple media requests for footage of the event, as well as managing the screenings of the 2 giant screens displayed in downtown Chamonix. With several thousands spectators and all major sponsors in the audience, there was little room for error! In the end it all went well.

Philippe Fragnol, local legend and famous photographer, became a good friend over the week. Photo David Carlier / Nissan Outdoor Games by Columbia

After the Winter Outdoor Games, it was time for some sunny destination. I spent a week in Libya working on an adventure race called the Libyan Challenge. The race is 180km long, and runners only have access to water supplies during the race - which means they have to carry their own equipement and food. The winner of the event completed the distance in about 31hours, while the slowest participants took about 3 days reach the finish line. This was a great experience in a truely unique destination. The Akakus desert offers fantastic scenery, and the Libyans proved to be very helpful and enthusiastic about the race. I am not a runner by any mean, but witnessing the race from A to Z and spending some time with the participants was very rewarding. It takes a lot of focus and determination to enter such a race, and I came to admire many of the racers for their courage and energy in those harsh situations, when you're exhausted and you know you still have 100+ km to the finish.

Proudly posing in the Libyan desert while the sun's rising

After Libya, I was back to the Alps, in Switzerland, for the Verbier Xtreme which was the final stage of the inaugural Freeride World Tour. Just like I did in Chamonix a few weeks earlier, my mission consisted in managing the video content for the organizers as well as the giant screen. Once again I was very happy that I had equiped myself with a high-end HD editing workstation during the winter! My super-fast machine brilliantly edited, encoded and burned hours and hours of video for the various requests we received.

The Freeride World Tour podium in Verbier

Finally it was time for some rest, and time to go paddle as well! But this I will tell in another entry.

David

After almost 10 spent paddling Riot boats, I'm now joining Fluid Kayaks. This is of course an important change for me, and at the same time a very exciting challenge. Fluid has appointed me as the new International Team Manager, and this is what will keep me busy most of the time. I will also be involved in various other domains, mostly image-related but also on some "field operations" (and that includes taking care of the turntables at parties, oh yeah!). I'll be promoting Fluid kayaks at a a few European events this season as well. Watch out for the Fluid booth and come say hi!

My new weapons of choice are:

• Solo Medium: Fluid's creekboat (already tested and approved on rivers all over the world)
• Nemesis Medium: a very well-balanced, versatile and performant freestyle boat. Wave or hole, it does it all.
• Element: Fluid's latest boat, designed to tear apart any ocean or river wave... I can't wait to test that one in Hawaii sur Rhone at high flows!

Except for the Element which only exists in Medium size so far, all Fluid kayaks exist in 3 sizes: S, M et L. The Solo also exists in Expedition version, with a hatch. I should also add that they DO exist in other colors than red... let's just say this is my favorite color at the moment ;-)

Below is the press release that describes my commitment with Fluid. And stay tuned, I'm finishing a short video clip from my first winter session in the Nemesis.

Fluid Kayaks appoints David Arnaud as pro-paddler and new International Team Manager

South Africa, February 26th 2008

South African watersports manufacturer Fluid Kayaks and French pro-paddler and filmmaker David Arnaud have joined together to both promote and bring synergy to Fluid's range of whitewater kayaks. By tapping into David Arnaud’s unique kayaking skill set and by supporting his future expeditions and productions, Fluid has positioned David as their new International Team Manager. His mission will consist of recruiting and managing a team of regional, national and international paddlers - “the cream of the crop,” as described by Fluid owner and designer Celliers Kruger. David will also focus on maximizing the positive impact of these team members in their respective areas (i.e. make sure Celliers is kept busy molding boats and shipping containers worldwide, while the team is having a good time on the river).

“In my opinion, a team should be more than just a bunch of talented and passionate individuals. I really want Fluid paddlers to meet and exchange as much as possible,” David says. In fact, Fluid paddlers will gather during an annual Team trip to be organized later in the year, with the emphasis of the meet not focused on competition; but on meeting, paddling, and collaboration. Also, the team will participate in photo and video shoots. David Arnaud really seems to be looking forward to this trip. “The thing is, as a filmmaker I've been looking forward to working with my new camera crane for a long time, but it’s an involved process to set up. However, considering my new position as the team manager, I think the Fluid paddlers might be patient while I dial things in.”

Besides offering leadership to the International Team, David will work closely with European distributor Rokxat, who is based in the Netherlands. “There are a few European countries where the Fluid brand is under represented, and in those particular markets getting Fluid on the map is a very exciting challenge. The great lineup of boats will certainly make our job easier, and I'm confident this will be another very busy year for Celliers at the factory!” Some of the boats that Fluid will use to punch through into new markets: The Nemesis is a high-performance yet versatile freestyle boat that will satisfy even the most demanding play boater. The Element is a state-of-the-art surfing and carving machine that prefigures tomorrow's kayak designs. The combination of a super fast hull and aggressive edges makes the Element the ultimate tool to take your paddling – and your fun – to the next level on any wave!

For more info: www.fluidkayaks.com www.RokxAT.nl www.thinkliquid.net