Astral introduced a limited edition GreenJacket Rescue PFD in collaboration with athlete and Astral Archetype Nouria Newman.
Dubbed the ‘Wild Things’ GreenJacket LE, the design features abstract illustrations by California-based surfer, painter, muralist, and illustrator Bret Brown.
This is Astral’s 14th limited edition life jacket since 2009, representing an effort to push the limits of innovation at the intersection of performance, design and creativity alongside athletes, artists, and non-profits.
The Wild Things GreenJacket LE is inspired by Newman’s desire to pursue flow state experiences in nature and return home safely to her loved ones. On the front, back, and inside of the PFD, Brown’s artwork tells a playful and curious story of our innate call to the wild, using the colorful monsters and elements of nature he is known for.
“I guess we all have our own monsters. Our own crazy dreams, fears, and doubts but [it is] also what motivates us. We tried to make friendly-looking monsters because going to places that scare you isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Newman said.
“This LE is inspired by Maurice Sendak’s children’s book Where the Wild Things Are. It’s about dreaming, overcoming fear, and going on all sorts of adventures, as well as coming back home to a warm meal and to your loved ones. For me, that embodies a lot of what I love most in kayaking,” Newman added.
Brown said, “This LE collab is a symbolic expression of returning. A returning to our human experience… [and] that inside each of us is a scary, wild, unpredictable calling that deserves being listened to. I’m all about supporting that call to the wild, the unknown, to the scary depths, and to be a part of a project with Astral and Nouria that spoke to that calling was perfect.”
Astral founder and CEO Philip Curry said, “Astral is honored to collaborate with Nouria and Bret to design a limited edition rescue PFD that champions having a present mind during wild experiences in Nature.”
The Wild Things GreenJacket LE shares the same platform, architecture and features as the GreenJacket Rescue PFD. It is available online at astraldesigns.com and at select retailers.
With Astral’s LE programs, a portion of proceeds are donated to organizations and projects that protect soil and water or provide youth access to nature. Astral donates five percent of online sales from the Wild Things GreenJacket LE to Tri-Haut pour l’Everest, a sustainability project working to reduce the amount of plastics and waste that enter the soil and water of the Himalayas, that was selected by Newman as the recipient.
For more information on Astral, visit www.astraldesigns.com or contact Mindy Smith at mindy@darbycommunications.com.
