THE 2011 ULSAN PWA WORLD CUP Day 3: Following the drama of competition’s second day, the wind took a break on day three in Korea, allowing us to catch up with Bjorn Dunkerbeck, and quiz him about his new signature series range of sunglasses.
Competition’s third day was greeted with over cast skies and dead calm on the East Sea, giving the slalom fleets a day to recover after the previous day of fast paced race action. In the down time, we took the opportunity to talk to Bjorn Dunkerbeck (Starboard / Severne / Mystic / Dunkerbeck Eyewear**) about his soon to be released range of signature series sunglasses; E11 Dunkerbeck Eyewear**.
PWA: Can you tell us how the Dunkerbeck Eyewear** project came about?
BD: “It started through a company called Nigura Metzler, from Dusseldorf, Germany. They have been doing many other brands. If you check out their website, you can see ranges by Bruno Banani, Reebok, NiGuRa, even Aston Martin. They wanted to do a sports line, based around water sports, so contacted me, and signed me up for 5 years. I’m doing all the development around the glasses, and the first 6 lines (in four colors each) will be released at the PWA event in Sylt. We’re still in the testing process, so right now I’m using prototypes, but in Sylt we will have all the models ready to go.”
PWA: How will your signature series stand out from the other ranges available from Nigura Metzler?
BD: “Basically I want them to be so good that you can wear them at all times. The effect of the sun is getting stronger and stronger, and for people involved with water sports, the reflection off the water is not good for your eyes, so a good pair of sunglasses that have been developed to work really well in water based environments is really important. It doesn’t matter if you’re windsurfing, sailing or on a motor yacht, your eyes need good protection, and that’s what my range will bring to the market.”
PWA: There’s a rumor that you’re developing a range of sunglasses that float. Is there any truth to that?
BD: “We are working on it, so yes, one of our goals is to achieve that.”
PWA: What input do you have into the design and development of the range?
BD: “Obviously I’m involved in the testing of the technical specification, and of the look of the glasses. I look at all the styles and decide what I like best, but the styles will always follow the market trend. Right now we’re finalizing designs, and I have to test all the models before they go to production.
PWA: Are you going to have a team of riders using DunkerbeckEyewear*
BD: “Steve Allen is already using the glasses, and sooner or later when the glasses are available on the market we will be looking into having a selection of riders using the products. Hopefully in a few years time we’ll be able to sponsor a lot of guys.”
PWA: So when and how can people get their hands on DunkerbeckEyewear*?
BD: “The release date, and presentation of the 6 lines in four colors will be during the PWA Sylt event this year, and from then on they will be on the market for everyone to buy. The mother company, Nigura Metzler has distribution in 70 countries around the world, so they’ll be out there from September onwards.”
PWA: DunkerbeckEyewear* has signed up with the PWA’s corporate sponsors, was it important for you to back the windsurfing industry?
BD: “Yes, it was, both for me, and Nigura Metzler. The guys behind the company are really young, they’re all sportsmen involved in windsurfing and surfing. They though it was a great idea, and since they’re focusing on me, and the sport of windsurfing, they wanted to be present alongside the association straight away. It’s also a great way to present the brand, and show our support for the sport.”
For more information on DunkerbeckEyewear*, navigate to www.dunkerbeck-eyewear.de or check out the Nigura Metzler homepage @ www.nigura-metzler.de
Tomorrow morning’s skippers meeting has been scheduled for 10.30am, with a first possible start at 11am. Be sure to follow all the action from day four in Korea from then onwards.
Scope The Action
For information on all the entrants, and to keep up to date with every piece of the action, navigate to www.pwaworldtour.com
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Professional Windsurfers Association
