In memory of a great man, passionate about nature, adventures, and sensations.
It is with humility that we must approach this article dedicated to a giant in world skiing and a man of exemplary values. The roots of KDF, locally mountainous, and our taste for board sports bring us closer to this legend and invite us to tell a little about its passage on this sad anniversary.
One year to the day today we learned of the disappearance of J.P. Auclair and his traveling companion Andreas Fransson caught in an avalanche in Patagonia. The day of September 29, 2014 will thus remain sadly engraved in the memories of many people, also in our own.
For our readers who are foreign to this touching character, he is a Canadian who passed away last year. This great sportsman has in a way revolutionized freestyle skiing, skiing and more generally sport in general. He was the kind of man who passionately did what was most dear to him, and gave without waiting in return a philanthropist as his relatives called it.
He has shaken up the established order in several aspects of sport and its dissemination, in particular by moving from behind the camera to in front of the lens. Or even by multiplying the activities: pro rider, director or even co-founder of the ski brand Armada. This great mountain and adventure enthusiast was also an icon for many young people who grew up through his exotic ride videos. Before his 30th birthday he created a non-profit foundation, Alpine Initiatives, in order to create a connection between the board sports community and humanitarian services for the most disadvantaged. Sports lover, he also rode skateboard, snowboard, mountain bike and climbed mountains with his ice axes.
We let you discover this great man through a tribute video made by his friends from Sherpa Cinema
JP and Kendama?
JP was also a fan of kendama and its virtues. During a trip to Japan he was even given a Japanese official license of Master of Kendama ! Faithful representative of kendama on the international sports scene, he always had one with him when he traveled to the 4 corners of the world. We can also read from his acolytes that during his travels we always heard the famous “cluk click clack cluck click…” of the tama who meets the ken. Nothing surprising when you have already felt the energy that is released when you practice kendama… This feeling that corresponds so much to the athlete, halfway between spiritual feeling and personal challenge!
To continue to pay tribute to him, KendamaUSA has become an ambassador of Auclair background, and provides a Kendama Tribute to participate in fundraising to perpetuate the memory of JP through concrete and human actions. Sweets Kendamas also made a kendama in his memory (pictured below).
At France we are not surprised to see that big names in the world of board sports find themselves in the practice of kendama. It brings a touch of fun throughout the trips, it occupies during downtime while sharpening our senses and stimulating our gray matter... Logical therefore that these properties are perfectly aligned with the attitude and the spirit of the riders. This search for performance through the practice of kendama also allows relaxation of the mind. This is also the very definition of this object: a simple unpretentious toy, which offers an unlimited range of benefits for body and mind.
More and more practitioners of board and outdoor sports have a kendama in their backpacks, and JP Auclair clearly participated in this highlighting of the object.
We are grateful to you JP for the good that you have spread through your passions and your joy of living, so often reported.
Peace to you.
http://www.auclairfund.org/fr/accueil#home/intro-1
http://www.alpineinitiatives.org/
Photo credit: Nate Abbott