AMBASSADOR INTERVIEW #11 CLAIRE TÉTARD

• Hello Claire, introduce yourself in a few sentences: What's your name, where are you from, what do you do, what do you like to do in your free time, your region, your favorite places…

My name is Claire Tetard, I am 26 years old and originally from La Rochelle but currently based in the Alpes-Maritimes. Very often traveling for my training or competitions in France and/or internationally, I love coming home because I find it incredible to have the sea and mountains combined in one place, and for a nature lover like me, it's very rejuvenating.

• What brought you to windsurfing?

In the city where I lived, La Rochelle, the two emblematic sports are sailing and rugby, and we had a family tradition of going on cruises in the summer. So I started with sailing before specializing in windsurfing, a bit by chance, through a series of coincidences.

The anecdote is that as a child I wasn't allowed to go in the water due to repeated ear infections that had perforated my eardrums; it's a kind of revenge to have persevered in this field.

• How long have you been practicing this sport?

I've been windsurfing for almost 10 years now; before that, I sailed 420s (double-handed dinghies) for 5 years. I first set foot on a boat when I was 2 years old, and I gradually caught the bug. I remember that around the age of 8, I would ask my father to take me to regattas just to skip school.

• What do you like about windsurfing?

It often makes people laugh, but it's the sensations this sport provides that I love, especially the gliding. Managing to glide the board as smoothly as possible through this natural element, becoming one with the board to adapt to the weather conditions (wind strength, waves, etc.)... It's always a completely different experience! It's a sport that keeps you very humble, because in the face of nature, you feel so small.

• What do you think is the best spot to practice it in your region? A favorite spot?

What's great about the region is that you can have all kinds of conditions, so depending on what you want to work on, you can choose your spot. Generally speaking, the further west you go, the more wind you have, and the further east you go, the more swells and waves you have (it depends, of course, on the wind direction).

But overall, I go from Marseille (where the French sailing center is located) to Monaco (my club) where the conditions are often very demanding but great for working in instability, passing through Hyères and Cannes.

• Do you practice any other sports on the side, for fun? We know you do a bit of running? For how long?

In addition, I have to do physical training to develop my physique, so I do cardio (road cycling, rowing, and running), often during recovery, but also weight training, posture work, and a lot of core work. That's the most important thing in my sport: being able to transfer the power from the sail to the board to make it accelerate, and what transmits that power is your body. Otherwise, I love all board sports (haha), so surfing, foiling, and all outdoor sports—it feels amazing to get some fresh air.

• Where and how did you discover the Noliju brand?

I was put in touch with Norah, the creator of the Noliju brand, and we immediately clicked in terms of approach and our shared daily challenges in running a project. Entrepreneurship and sports are very similar in the life lessons they impart.

• Why did you want to represent the Noliju brand?

Because the products are high-performing and stylish, the fabrics are incredibly comfortable to wear because they're lightweight and breathable. Plus, every time I wear a t-shirt or the joggers , people tell me I look "stylish," and that's just great. And ultimately, this sporty yet elegant look suits me perfectly; it's so practical for transitioning from one activity to another—I don't need ten different outfits. And what's also important to me is that it's ethically made, manufactured in Europe, and that's Norah's enthusiasm is a big draw.

• What is your favorite item of clothing from Noliju? And why?

Jogging pants and a t-shirt are a must, I wear them all the time. They're so comfortable, I feel great doing all my activities in them. It's no wonder my mom and sister have adopted them too!

• You were our model for our new Geometric Lines collection, how was that experience?

I discovered this world, and the experience was very nice (even though we were presenting the winter outfits in 40 degrees :)) In any case, the whole team was fully committed to giving the best result, and we shared a good time.

• What do you think of this new collection?

It remains within the Noliju range for me: natural and stylish, and the materials are still as pleasant as ever. You don't necessarily realize it at first glance. The website shows the appearance of the materials, which is why it's so cool to be able to touch and try them.

• A sports project for the future?

The world championship at the end of February in Australia and the choice of support for the next Olympics 2024 in Marseille, we do not yet know if it will be a board with a centerboard or with a foil (support that flies out of the water).

• One last word?

Being comfortable in your own skin, no matter what you do or undertake, if you are aligned with who you are and your values, will inevitably lead to very beautiful things.

Thank you, Claire, for sharing your wonderful life experiences and advice! See you very soon!