Back to stopovers

Becoming aware

Du 1 June 2017 au 30 June 2017

Japan

Actions carried out

Diagnostic of the first two years of the expedition and the development of our social engagement strategy 2017-2021

Summary of the stopover

Two years of full-on expedition, it is now time to breathe, slow down the rhythm, and stand back for a moment. Our back and forths between wildlife and civilisation allow us to realise to what extent our societies are disconnected from the value of our natural resources. This journey turns out to be a lot richer than we thought. It’s a daily lesson on making, the climate and nature, and the impact of the modern world on us and the natural environment. The indecipherable social codes of Japanese society slowly take some meaning. We immerse ourselves in the heart of rural, traditional Japan. Our spirits lighten up. Our decision is taken. Now is time to act. We start creating the Maewan for tomorrow so that our quest is not in vain. Maewan 2.0 is in the making.

Team

Marion Courtois

President of the Maewan association and co-leader of the expedition
Presentation
Olivier Balma

Mountain Guide
Presentation
Tetsuya Ishida

Passionate about trekking and climbing
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Marion Courtois

President of the Maewan association and co-leader of the expedition
Naturopath, after a degree in psychology and a master in public health, she decides to enter an engaging profession: the management of humanitarian programs for NGOs operating in Central America, in the Sahara, in the Middle East. During her 12 years in the field, she progressively enriched her skills in crisis management, geopolitical analysis and advocacy.

She joins Maewan’s deck inspired by the thought of participating in the creation of a future respectful of the planet and its inhabitants. After carrying out an assessment and working on Maewan’s mission and strategy, she becomes president of the association. A challenge to the height of her talent and her flawless ethics.
- Distinguishing featurecan answer her e-mails while steering
Presentation
Olivier Balma

Mountain Guide
- Website
Being often in Japan because of my professional activities with Racer, and knowing that Erwan was planning to go there, I took advantage of this unique opportunity to discover life on board of Maewan, for the fun of it. Exploring the Northern Island of d’Hokkaido, where I often go skiing by sea or cooking Fugu with salted butter from Brittany are just simple and unforgettable moments. Thank you, Erwan for this tiny week of freedom and for initiating me to steering among big waves…
- Personal record: I have been fortunate to be able to travel thanks to my profession as a mountain guide. I have an ex-pat in Asia for almost 15 years: Japan, China, Hong Kong. I have been a volunteer guide at the FFME and participated and organised several trainings in Lhassa in Tibet at the Tibetan School of Guides. Afterward, I have been in charge of the training of mountain guides and climbing supervisors in China for almost 10 years. A lot of mountain exploration, development of new crags. Some exceptional discoveries with mine Chinese students, like Getu’s Arc, which is where we have organised the Petzl Roc Trip.
- NationalityFrench
- Birth Date 09/03/68
- Asset at seaswimming, soup, kitchen
- Asset on land earthling
- Distinguishing featurecontemplative
- Sport achievement with Maewannot being seasick after 12 hours of navigation in a rough sea. Walking 10 kilometers to reach a Japanese spring of hot water.
- SponsorsRacer
Presentation
Tetsuya Ishida

Passionate about trekking and climbing
- Facebook
- Instagram
Three days on board from 12 to 15 august 2017. One complete day of travel (13 June) from Otaru to Suttsu, Hokkaido, Japan.
- Personal recordSimply climbs mountains since 40 years, occasionally leading groups of people doing easy hikes and climbs. Has climbed Mont Fuji more than 200 times, especially because of his job as guide.
- NationalityJapanese
- Date of birth23 december 1958
- Asset at seanot one. A bit of paddling, can’t surf yet.
- Asset on landMountaneering, hiking and a bit of climbing
- Distinguishing feature: is more and more fearful as he ages…maybe that’s why he is still alive. Speaks English and his native language: Japanese.
- Sport achievement with Maewanthe navigation from Otaru to Suttsu to Hokkaido with Erwan and Oliver has probably been one of the most terrifying, but also memorable experiences of his life.
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