After the completion of the final PWA Slalom event of the year in New Caledonia – Antoine Albeau (RRD / NeilPryde), who clinched the title in dramatic fashion, local boy Fred Morin (Starboard / NeilPryde) and Maciek Rutkowski (Patrik / Point-7) went on a trip to explore the expansive beauty that New Caledonia has to offer.

Maciek Rutkowski speaking about the trip:

“After the PWA event in New Caledonia Antoine Albeau and myself stayed a few more days, as we got invited to join the riders NC crew and 3 local competitors (PWA usual Fred Morin, Paul Haldebel and Stephan Vuduc) for a trip to the nearby island of Ile des Pines and the surrounding islands. Guys were saying the place is like a postcard, so we just couldn’t say no.”

“Already the first hour of the trip was amazing. We got into two 4-seater planes and flew over an archipelago of remote New Caledonian Islands with the pilots doing pretty much all the stunts in the book with the tiny planes (to the huge joy of Pao – Antoine’s girlfriend haha!). The only thing missing were backpacks with parachutes for all of us and I would be fine with the trip ending right there… And this was just the beginning! All I can tell you is that the place makes postcards look like me next to Brad Pitt. But being there doesn’t come easy. We needed to pay our respects to the local tribes, take them along for the ride, so that they can make sure we are respectful with the environment etc etc. Apparently we must have done something wrong, since just as we started the heli-shoot the clouds came out of nowhere haha! But anyway I’ll save you the talking. Just switch on HD and enjoy!” 

To see New Caledonia in all its beauty click here.