P A D D L E R P r O f i l e
the b-boy of 2009 freestyle keeping it real.
Photo PatRik lindQvist
simon says party
siMON hirter STEPS UP TO HOST THE FREESTYLE WORLDS
SIMON HIRTER is not a familiar name to most taineering accident in Switzerland. Gasser was and how to do it, I am responsible for the budget
North American whitewater boaters, but this self- known to the kayaking world for his burning com- and I look for sponsors and media partners.”
assured 32-year-old Swiss paddler is the man mitment to organizing numerous whitewater free- For Hirter, it is very important that the World
behind the scenes at the 2009 World Freestyle style events in Thun over the past eight years. His Championship be environmentally friendly and
Championship in Thun, Switzerland, later this loss had a great effect on Hirter´s life. sustainable. Athletes who travel by bicycles in-
month. It’s an event, he promises, that will be the “When [Gasser] passed away he left a big hole stead of cars and climate compensation for all
best in the sport so far. in the sport here and I felt it was kind of my des- emissions generated by the event are essential
“What we have planned will blow everyone’s tiny to jump in and take over his dream to bring parts of his vision.
mind—not only the kayakers, but also the specta- the Worlds to Switzerland,” Hirter says. With the Championship now just around the
tors,” he says. The first step in realizing this dream was to get corner, Hirter has announced that this will be his
Growing up in Bremgarten near the mighty River some event management experience, says Hirter. last big event. “I love organizing and on a small
Rhine, which runs north over 1,000 kilometres from So he organized his first event—a kayak freestyle scale I will every now and then,” he says, “but the
the icy ramparts of the Swiss Alps to the wide sea and big air competition and memorial for his good days of me trying to push the kayak event sector
level plain of The Netherlands, Hirter’s interest in friend. Hirter followed this up with many others forward are definitely over.”
kayaking began at age 10 when his parents pre- including last year’s Freestyle World Cup, two Hirter says he has concluded an incredible
sented him with his first kayak. In 1996 he became years of Thun River Jams, the World Breakdanc- five-year adventure and is looking forward to
the Swiss slalom champion and seemed destined ing Championship and 2005 and 2006’s Waves getting back on the rivers and into competing.
for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Some- & Wheels, a mêlée of kayaking, surfing, skate- He also plans to bring the skills and networks
where between the gates, however, Hirter’s atten- boarding, BMX, graffiti and music. “I have a lot he has developed through organizing sporting
tion shifted to kayaking’s wilder, less constrained of different interests,” he explains. “My aim was events to more environmentally focused proj-
disciplines—freeboating, extreme paddling, free- to gain experience so I would be able to organize ects. “The countless hours, energy and inspira-
style and boater-cross. Expeditions to Patagonia, the World Championship.” tion it takes to organize an event like the Worlds
Tibet, Norway, Africa and Canada soon followed. Hirter says the role of Worlds chief organizer could be used to help improve so many things.”
Everything changed in 2004 when Hirter’s good brings with it plenty of pressure and responsibility. —Anders Königsson
friend Roland “Role” Gasser died in a moun- “I come up with the ideas for what should be done
16 Rapid summer/fall 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48