Christian Simon is one of our field testers who tests our technology in the most extreme weather conditions in the far north of Europe. We talked to him about his passion for sailing and his experiences with our technology.
Where are we reaching you right now?
At the moment I have solid ground under my feet again and am on the road with my van. Currently I am heading to the north of Norway for my next adventures.
What is the current weather like and what is your favorite weather?
The weather is typical for the north at the moment. It's rough and shifty, which I like. However, the sunny periods could definitely be a bit longer. In general, we sailors like windy weather for obvious reasons. If we can get some sunshine on our faces, it's even better.
Christian in extreme weather on the Lofoten
How did you become a professional sailor?
My first contact with sailing was a few years ago when I joined a friend on a sailing trip. We sailed in the mediterranean sea all the way to Morocco. That's when I discovered my love for sailing, which has escalated a bit in the meantime. Now I sail on my own boat around the lofoten islands, which is a bit crazy when I think back.
Can you tell us more about your current project?
This summer I am exploring Lofoten with its 80 islands. The waters here are very exciting, so I want to gain as much experience as possible. On top of that it will allow me to combine sailing with my passion for wildlife photography.
What criteria do you use to select your equipment?
In these extreme weather conditions, the quality of the equipment can be crucial for survival. You can't make any compromises and you have to be able to fully rely on it. As a nature lover, I'm also aware of the effects of the clothing industry and that's why I choose my equipment according to strict sustainability criteria. Especially in the high-performance outdoor sector, the industry still has a lot to do in terms of sustainability, which is quite absurd when you consider that they produce clothes for people who like to be outdoors a lot.
Why were you attracted to testing this novel technology in extreme weather conditions?
For too long, the outdoor industry has relied on fluorine-containing materials, which have good performance properties, but with today's knowledge should no longer be used, as they pollute the environment irreversibly. If I can make a small contribution with my testing to help new, sustainable membrane technologies to break through, I will of course be happy to do so. I am curious to see what the technology is capable of in the most extreme conditions, because it is not always easy to find good material for such changeable conditions.
“For too long, the outdoor industry has relied on fluorine-containing materials”
What are your first experiences with the dimpora jacket?
I was able to test the jacket for the first time during a film production. I really liked the first impression of the design and how it feels. Then of course I was curious to see what the jacket is capable of in terms of breathability, water resistance and stretch, which is important when sailing. I was honestly surprised and pleased that I didn't notice any difference to the expensive fluorine-containing high-performance jackets. I think this is good news for us environmentally conscious nature lovers and of course the environment.
How dimpora's jacket performs in those extreme weather?
I have now been able to test the jacket over a longer period of time in the most extreme conditions. The first impression has been confirmed and I have not seen any drop in performance over time. Even though it is a prototype, from my experience the technology is mature and works excellently under the most extreme conditions.
