At Excess, we believe that adventure is not limited to a single territory. It's a state of mind. A desire to think outside the box, to follow your instincts and to see what lies beyond the horizon.
It is precisely this philosophy that led us to meet Paul Aubertin, whitewater kayaker. Between the rapids of wild rivers and the open ocean, our worlds may seem worlds apart at first glance. Yet they share the same quest: freedom.
Originally from the Vosges, Paul has built his life around water. His daily routine? Seeking the next river to paddle down, the next canyon to explore, the next adventure to live.
"I wake up and ask myself which river I'm going to paddle today, where to go, what new challenge to take on."
From Costa Rica to the Balkans, from Africa to the Italian Alps, his expeditions have taken him to some of the most spectacular waterways on the planet. Places sometimes inaccessible by any means other than a kayak or packraft.
For Paul, exploration is not just about travelling.
"Exploring means discovering wild and sometimes inaccessible places – canyons, isolated rivers, places that very few people ever get to see."
Extreme kayaking is often associated with adrenaline. And it is indeed part of the equation. But behind the intensity of the rapids lies an almost poetic approach to navigation. For Paul, running a river is like a succession of movements where every line counts.
In his vocabulary, we talk about the "line": the ideal trajectory to follow on the water. A philosophy that resonates particularly with sailing, where every decision, every trim and every heading also traces a unique course.
Whether navigating in the mountains or deep in the wilderness, Paul maintains a strong relationship with his surroundings. Respecting the river, understanding its rhythms, accepting its rules – these are the values that accompany him on every expedition.
During his meeting with the Excess teams, Paul even mentions an almost spiritual connection with the elements, a simple yet powerful vision that is a reminder that adventure always begins with humility in the face of nature.
To explore these remote territories, Paul regularly uses a Jaws packraft. This ultra-light inflatable boat opens up new possibilities for exploration.
Partner of this encounter, Jaws develops packrafts designed to go anywhere: in a backpack, on a bike, in a van… or on board a catamaran. Thanks to particularly resistant technical materials, these craft combine lightness, compactness and robustness.
For the Jaws teams, the ideal expedition packraft also shares many points in common with the Excess spirit, thanks to its reliability, UV resistance, ease of stowing and versatility. All qualities that allow the adventure to be extended well beyond the anchorage.
Paul launches a new series of encounters around the Riders' Edition.
Athletes, adventurers, creators or outdoor enthusiasts, these ambassadors evolve in worlds sometimes very far removed from sailing. Yet they all share the same values: freedom, boldness, exploration and a taste for authentic experiences.
On board an Excess catamaran as in the heart of a wild river, the goal remains the same: to step out of your comfort zone, set out to discover new horizons and live every adventure to the fullest.
Through this series, Excess shines a light on those who push the boundaries of their discipline and embody, each in their own way, the spirit of the brand: to explore endlessly, live intensely and chart your own course.
Like Paul, you love to explore, to go off the beaten track and to live every experience to the fullest. It is to accompany this spirit of adventure that we imagined the Riders' Edition Pack. Easily bring your gear on board your Excess catamaran and turn every anchorage into the starting point of a new adventure.
During this encounter, the Excess teams left their usual environment to discover Paul's world. A universe of forests, mountains, steep trails and tumultuous rivers.
At first glance, everything seems to set them apart. And yet, we have a great deal in common. The love of freedom. The taste for exploration. The need to feel alive in contact with the elements. Whether one chooses a wild river or an ocean crossing, what matters in the end is always the same: following your own line and exploring!
