Putting Meaning into the Practice of an Extreme Sport
Les Diablerets, Switzerland | August 11, 2012
Back in January when William was asked if he would be willing to participate to the 43rd edition of the Festival International du Film Alpin des Diablerets, he thought this presented a unique challenge, that is not only to connect a man of the sea to the mountains but to also connect sharks to the mountains…
A few weeks later, after all people involved in the chain of command decided on his participation, William was asked to present his conference on the opening day of the festival, Saturday August 11, “Freeride Day”. In French, “freeride” means the practice of sports (e.g. skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, etc) outside of an organized setting (like a competition), for the pleasure of enjoying large natural outdoor spaces, and for the sheer excitement of the risks involved.
Festival Director Jean-Philippe Rapp explained over the years the festival expanded to being more than just about the mountains. The tag line of the festival being “Mountain – Exploits – Environment” he said it would be a perfect opportunity to bring to the festival an individual who had turned his practice of an extreme sport into something meaningful: shark conservation.
William says: “It took many weeks of thought and work to put together something that made sense, that would engage and inspire people to think differently about sharks and based on the feedback from the audience it worked. It was inspiring for me to hear so many people, after the talk, expressing their passion for sharks and their fear that we might arrive to a sea without sharks one day…and all of this even though they live thousands of miles from the sea! ”
William would like to thank everyone at Les Diablerets Tourism Office and the FIFAD, for the opportunity to speak on behalf of sharks at the festival.
On a more personal level, he would like to thank Jean-Philippe Rapp, Festival Director and Swiss TV icon for believing he could do this conference in French. In the end, he only relied on his lovely interpreter for about 25% of the presentation.
Many thanks to Festival President Charles-Pascal Ghiringhelli, Photographer Christophe Racat, Coordinators Carole Ansermoz, Lena Pichard and Franck Simond, Colin Pahlisch as well as the technical team of the festival for their support.
Last but not least, Blaise Roullier for always being a step ahead in explaining the meaning of life. Just ask for him when you’re in his store Passe Montagne in Les Diablerets. Him and his team are the reason William is able to cross train in the mountains when he cannot dive in the ocean.
