Meet Francis René, our newest Nomadix ambassador. An avid outdoorsman, Francis spends his time exploring the world and promoting the protection of the planet. He shares his passions and experiences with us today.
A hiking enthusiast
Francis's favorite sport to practice is trail running, it’s his own way of getting rid of stress, getting in shape and challenging himself. “I really feel in my element when I run on the trail.”, nature calls him he mentions.
To Francis, every hike has something special, but he likes Gosford so much that he has been back several times.
Rex and Spy who follow Francis on all his adventures.
A passionate of the environmental cause
"Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures." is his personal motto. From a very young age, he has always loved nature, he also has the habit of bringing a bag with him wherever he goes, to pick up trash and make our environment cleaner. Although at first, he did not showcase his implications, he now tries to lead by example,in hope that others will do their part to help our environment. He creates activities or challenges that encourage people to do good deeds. In fact he recently did a fishing challenge on his account where for each person that accomplished the challenge, Francis would fill a bag with trash.
His all-time favourite Nomadix items
Francis loves the Festive Blanket. He uses it for his workouts to rest and relax and likes how he could sit on it anywhere and still have space to stretch. He also always has the Mini Towel on him, no matter what activity he is doing.
Follow Francis René here
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Who are you briefly?
I'm Cécile Gariepy, illustrator, raised in Montreal, I love banana popsicles and my dog Marjo.
What is your background and your educational path?
I worked in film and worked as a director in advertising and television for a few years. Not being really fulfilled by my work, I went to do a master's degree in cinema in Paris. Between my classes and my dissertation, I started to draw Parisian anecdotes and put them on social networks. Before I could really figure it out, my clients started contacting me to illustrate rather than direct. So we can say that I am an illustrator by chance, and that makes me very happy!
Have you always been talented?
Talent is a rather mysterious concept. Let's say I've always loved drawing my friends' birthday cards.
What inspired you to pursue art?
My path to art was quite intuitive. Drawing has always been a means of expressing feelings or making jokes. When I was a kid and went to restaurants with my family, my favorite moment was drawing on the paper doilies with crayons. I never thought it could turn into a profession!
Have you ever had a mentor or role model?
Both of my parents have careers in advertising and are artists in their own way. Their way of thinking, expressing themselves and communicating their ideas certainly influenced me.
What does art mean to you?
A language to interact with people.
If it wasn't art, what would have been plan B?
I would have prepared food, most likely cakes.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
I consider that having transformed a passion into my job is a great achievement! But otherwise here are some projects that I realized and which I am very proud.
I like projects that involve teams. As an illustrator, I work a lot alone, and you can find yourself isolated very quickly. I prefer to collaborate with other people, whether they are in the creative field or not. I believe ideas are always pushed further when they are discussed and debated.
Why did you agree to collaborate with Nomadix?
I really like the idea of having a single towel that can be used for all kinds of activities. I find myself in the values of the company: to own fewer objects, but that each object has an added value.
What are your tips for finding inspiration?
I draw a lot of inspiration from my interactions with the people around me. I note the positions of people in the metro, how they express themselves, what they carry. For me, observing humans is an infinite source of inspiration, for better and for worse…
What does the design on the Nomadix towel represent?
I see someone trying to hide from the sun with a leaf.
How did you develop it?
I tried to think about what summer and heat represent, and to interpret it through a character. I imagine that the guy is looking at the sea and that there is a little breeze blowing in his hair!
What are your hobbies other than art?
I wish I had a really weird and interesting hobby to name, but the truth is quite different: I cook, I read, I hike and do yoga, and when I'm done, I go to bed.
Do you have any new future projects?
I am very excited to have started working on my first animated film. It's a very long process, so we'll talk about it in a few years!
How was the pandemic on your side?
A move to Australia, the other side of the planet in the middle of a pandemic. It was not easy but everyone is fine now :)
Images Sources : link
Follow her on IG here
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Robbie Andison is a Nomadix ambassador from Oakville, Ontario and loves to surf. We asked him a couple of questions to know more about the scene of the sport there.
What are your surf spots in Ontario?
Believe it or not, you can surf all over Ontario. Lake Ontario is where I started lake surfing but I have now surfed on all the great lakes. I’m now currently living in Sault Saint Marie so my main lake that I surf on is Lake Superior.
How have you heard about these spots?
Most spots you must discover on your own. What you need to look for is an on-shore or cross-shore wind over 30km/h for several hours to create swell. From there it is best to find a small inlet that can somewhat protect you from the wind so the waves shape up nicer. Waves have a snowball effect. The farther distance they travel, the larger and more powerful the waves will become.
How long have you been going there?
I discovered lake surfing 3 years ago but this is my first year spending time on Lake Superior so I still have a lot of discovering to do. I absolutely love looking on Google Earth and finding new surf spots then trying them out.
What is the best season to go there?
The surf season is best from September until the start of summer. Pretty much whenever the weather is stormy, and most people wouldn’t want to leave their house. Yes.. we surf all winter long. With the right gear, you can stay in the water for several hours even in freezing temperatures.
How did you learn to surf?
I was on the Canadian National Team for skiing so I learned how to surf during that period of my life. Whenever I was travelling and there was an ocean nearby, I would try to get a couple of days of surfing in.
What are the tricks that you practice?
I am constantly looking to improve and be an overall better surfer.
Do you have any advice for beginners?
Stick with it and be persistent. The first 20 times you go out can be very frustrating and you may feel like you aren’t making much progress. Once it clicks and you get comfortable popping up and going down the line, you will improve so fast.
Where are your dream surf spots in the world?
I would love to surf in Indonesia. I’m definitely going to try to get there over the next couple of years.
Follow Robbie's adventures here
On Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1, 2020), Nomadix will donate ten percent of its sales to The Conservation Alliance. These funds will help support the protection of wild lands and waters across North America.
“We can’t speak highly enough of the work they do at Conservation Alliance, and the unique platform they offer to facilitate giving between companies like ours and local, vetted projects that make a real impact. As a Social Purpose Corporation, our highly-engaged employees love that they can read about each project and vote to determine where Nomadix can do the most good. We are looking forward to a long partnership, starting with a great Giving Tuesday,” says Co-Founder and CEO Zack Helminiak.
California-based Nomadix creates eco-friendly and durable products made from certified post-consumer recycled plastic. Their versatile towels, outdoor blankets and changing ponchos perfectly accompany adventurers during any activity so they can leave their mark on the world, and not their waste.
The Alliance recognizes this shared goal of increasing support for conservation efforts. As a community of like-minded companies, its members embrace a responsibility to protect the wild lands and waterways in which their customers and wildlife thrive. Through collective contributions they help support the efforts of grassroots environmental organizations.
“We are thrilled to bring Nomadix on as a member of The Conservation Alliance,” said Conor McElyea, Membership Program Manager at The Conservation Alliance. “By making products that use post-consumer recycled plastic, Nomadix is already making a difference through a sustainably focused supply chain. By partnering with The Conservation Alliance, they will help protect the places that are so important to the outdoor community. We are heartened to see Nomadix, especially as a new member, go above and beyond to support our mission by raising additional funds for The Conservation Alliance through their Giving Tuesday Fundraiser.”
About The Conservation Alliance
The Conservation Alliance is an organization of like-minded businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas. Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies who care about protecting our most threatened wild places for habitat and outdoor recreation. Since 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $25 million in grants to conservation organizations whose collective efforts have resulted in the permanent protection of 73 million acres of land and 3,575 miles of rivers; stopped or removed 36 dams; acquired 17 climbing areas; and designated five marine reserves. For complete information on The Conservation Alliance, see www.conservationalliance.com.
About Nomadix®
California-based Nomadix launched in 2015 with The Only Towel You Need® – a multi-purpose towel that performs for any activity, including travel, yoga, boating, and at the beach. Nomadix understands that the environmental footprint of the products people buy will have an impact on the planet that lasts longer than we will. A commitment to discovering durable, multi-purpose, responsibly manufactured solutions that will leave the planet better than we found it is part of its ethos – Own less. Do more. Today Nomadix is carried in major retailers in the United States, including REI, West Marine, and Boardriders and distributed in 31 countries around the world. Visit www.nomadix.co for more information.
Media Contact: Evyn Blair, hello@nomadix.co
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