Neil Pryde has set that he wil retire as Managing Director of Pryde Group, effective December 31st, 2013. Neil Pryde will become the Chairman of the company after retirement and will devote most of his time in promoting and supporting the company’s business activities around the world.
Patrick Pender, currently Deputy Managing Director, will become Managing Director and Peter Lui, currently CFO for the company, will become Chief Operating Officer. George Poon from Shriro Pacific Limited will be heading the financial functions and all new appointments will be effective from 1st January 2014.
Patrick Pender has 30 years of experience in management, brand building, manufacturing and retailing. Having been a part of management teams at the Gaastra Group, Guess Watches, Oozeeki and Bvlgari, he brings with him a broad range of experience and an understanding of the European, American and Asian markets. Mr. Pender is also a world-class sailor with first hand understanding of the sports the Pryde Group is involved in.
In making this announcement, Neil Pryde commented:
“The decision for me to step back from active management of the company that I founded 43 years ago is obviously a significant milestone in the company’s history and in my life. Pryde Group represents my life’s work and I am extremely proud of what we have been able to create in one of the world’s leading action sports companies with market leading brands in Windsurfing and Kitesurfing.
I certainly could not have achieved anything we have done without the support of an incredibly loyal group of colleagues and employees and I will not forget the effort you have made on behalf of the company. I wish you well for the future.
I am confident that Patrick with his experience and leadership will bring us greater success and I hope you will give Patrick the same support you have given me over many years.
Peter Lui has been my close associate for more than 13 years and I am delighted to see him in his new role as Chief Operating Officer and I am sure he together with Patrick will be instrumental in the future success of the company.
As you are aware, I will become the Chairman of the company and remain as a member of the Board of Directors. You may be assured, I will continue to maintain a very strong interest in all of the company’s activities and the progress of its employees.”
Vasco Fung, Group Chief Executive Officer of Shriro Pacific Limited, the controlling shareholder in Pryde Group, commented on Mr. Pryde’s retirement:
“We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Neil Pryde since 1986 and are very grateful for his considerable contributions to the success of the company.
Neil has shown strong leadership since founding the business in 1970 and successfully transformed the company into an international sports group with operations in Asia, USA and Europe.
We all wish Neil a very happy retirement and surely he will continue to provide valuable support and advice to the new management which will be important to the continuous success of the company.”
Introducing the 2014 NeilPryde sail range. With 14 sails in the range they offer a complete lineup for what ever you style is! Here’s the press release from NeilPryde, we’ll bring you a complete run down on the lineup soon!
Every day we set out to build sails that are better than any that have come before them. We evolve, tinker, test, question without compromise. In the end, we inevitably end up with something that is bigger than the sum of its parts. A NeilPryde feeling – where you just know when it’s right.
Introducing the 2014 range, the next step in our journey to sailing perfection. We took the Forceline Panel idea from 2013 and evolved it into something bigger and better – a full sail concept where loads are dynamically controlled using advanced materials that do away with unnecessary panels and seams. The 2014 sails are built for one thing and one thing only – performance.
Variable density yarns built into the materials allowed us to follow loads and reinforce the sail where it needs it most. Segmented luff panels in freeride sails follow loads to support significant downhaul tensions. On wave sails, the fully integrated Forceline Frame radiates from tack to clew and follows the leech into the head, holding the sail’s shape and creating a shield that can support the high loads experienced in these areas.
We call it precision crafted performance.
Dear water, apologies in advance.
A sneak peak of what’s coming from NeilPryde as they launch there 2014 range next week.
This amazing clip comes from Christoph Valognes, featuring the NeilPryde team in action at different spots around the World. This clip is spectacular and a a must watch!
The Jaguar NeilPryde Racing Series finished the year in style, at the Rio de Janeiro Extreme Sailing Series™ event. Sixty windsurfers from Brazil and France competed on the universal, one-design RS:One, an ISAF-approved class.
Close your eyes and imagine a perfect tropical island in the middle of the Pacific with miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and off shore breeze up to 20 knots…
Imagine a place where you will race with your family or friends during the day and then relax with a cocktail in front or the most beautiful sunset you will ever see…
Imagine the perfect one-design race where 120 brand new RS:One sets will be available on site for an unforgettable World Championships featuring new windsurfing race formats such as long distance or the dynamic Pulsar course…
NeilPryde, the RS:One Class and the Philippines Windsurfing Association will be turning this dream into reality with the first RS:One World Championships to be held on the paradise island of Boracay, Philippines, from 10th to the 15th of December.
For more information go here: goo.gl/FrOkF
The RS:One Class is the brand new ISAF One-design universal allowing windsurfers of all levels, ages and genders to compete together.
The NeilPryde team was at the 2012 PWA Event in Klitmoller. Enjoy the action from NeilPryde team riders featuring Kauli Seadi, Ricardo Campello, Philip Köster and Robby Swift.
The Jaguar NeilPryde Racing Series landed in Torbole, Lago di Garda last week for its first Italian stopover. Forty-three windsurfers from Italy and Hungary competed with the universal one-design RS:One, an ISAF-approved class. The 2011 PWA Freestyle World Champion, Steven van Broeckhoven, and the Hawaiian wave rider Tatiana Howard were also part of the guest list.
The RS:One Class features a new, attractive, and dynamic race format: one sail, one board. Everyone on the same equipment, allowing male and female racers of all ages to compete together.
Courses were set in front of the Torbole Circolo surf club, just meters from the crowd, providing a unique spectator experience and allowing for some exciting close-quarter competition on water.
Racing in four divisions – female, male under 22 years (Espoir), male over 22 years (Senior) and male over 40 years old (Master) – the event comprised of two days of races with thirteen qualification heats, two fiercely contested finals held in challenging conditions with fluctuating winds.
Being a one-design class, all RS:One equipment was supplied by NeilPryde, giving an equal chance to all competitors no matter sex or age. The winners of each division and overall Super Final winner shared the prize money of US$3,000.
The Jaguar NeilPryde Racing Series will continue its journey to Nice (France), and Rio (Brazil).
Saturday Results:
Female:
1- Ginevra Gabrielli
2- Diane Detre
3- Matilde Forlin
Men Espoir:
1- Jozef Masseroli
2- Michele Nogler
3-Jacopo Renna
Men Senior:
1- Andrea Ferin
2- Fabian Heidegger
3- Fabio Calo
Men Master:
1- Ezio Ferin
2- Alexander Leupold
3- Massimo Masserini
Sunday Results:
Female:
1- Diane Detre
2- Ginervra Gabrielli
3- Verena Fauster
Men Espoir:
1- Josef Masseroli
2- Michele Nogler
3- Filippo Facchin
Men Senior:
1- Andrea Ferin
2- Fancesco Prati
3- Michael Scalet
Men Master:
1- Ezio Ferin
2- Alexander Leupold
3- Alessandro Tomasi
Super Final winner:
1- Josef Masseroli
Photo Credit: Roberto Vuilleumier
Story Credit: Neilpryde.com
Robert Stoj introduces the 2013 NeilPryde sails at The Official Test Centre in El Medano, Tenerife. The OTC has promised us a series of introductory videos to the 2013 gear that the brands have developed
More 2013 gear coming out, this time the NeilPryde Sail range.
NeilPryde is has attempted to recreate the legendary Jenna de Rosnay advertisement. Not to thrilled about there choice to use a kiteboarder, especially when there are so many sexy female windsurfers. But check it out in this behind the scenes sneak peak.
