Team Member of the Month » October 2006

Name : Sebastien Deflandre
Born : 1967
Team member since : 2004
Prior Club Mistral Destinations :

Sebastien Deflandre
Born: 1967
Team member since: 2004

Our Team Member of the Month for October 2006 is Sebastien Deflandre, known to all as "Seb“. He is French by birth but has lived for many years in his chosen home of Essaouira in Morocco.

Around ten years ago, Seb's great passion for windsurfing drew him to Morocco where he is still an enthusiastic windsurfer and where the local conditions have also led him to excel as well in kiting and waveriding.  When the conditions are right in Moulay for kiting or perfect for waveriding in La Grotte you can find Seb on the water, although the demands of his business, which encompasses a surf school, restaurant and hotel, combined with the demands of a young family do not leave him a lot of freetime to get his hair wet!

The windsurfing centre was operational for many years before it became a Club Mistral station in 2004.  Seb built up the centre in the best position on the beach and, together with his restaurant, the Ocen Vagabond, has created a very pleasing set up.  You can be sure, whether surfer or not, that you will feel comfortable and be very relaxed in Seb's attractive place.

The hotel we mentioned above in Essaouira was opened by Seb and his wife, Marie, in the Spring of 2006, and carries the same name as their beach restaurant:  the "Ocean Vagabond Guesthouse“.

The opening of  the Ocean Vagabond Guesthouse was somewhat delayed by officialdom, but the wait was worth it as the hotel has shown itself to be both a charming and an extravagant residence with, as the French say, a certain "je ne sais quoi!"  Every room is decorated in a different way and the furniture is all hand made from Marrakech.

Seb himself is a very charming and endearing person, but also a mix of extremes:  on the one hand a successful and serious businessman and on the other a real party animal, and the latest member of the infamous "French connection,“ a group well known to Club Mistral insiders.

He runs each aspect of his business - the surf school, restaurant and hotel - with absolute professionalism and is both well liked and well respected by his team. Seb is also well known in the local community and is the only European to sit on the Essaouira Town Council, where he supports such projects as the provision of used watersports material for local kids to aid their development and give them them newer perspectives.  Where he can,Seb helps and supports the locals, offering advice and support to employees and their friends alike.

Some years ago Sebastien's luck took another turn for the better when Marie entered his life.  They married and now have a small daughter to complete the family.  Marie and Seb have their hands full with the Club Mistral Center, the Restaurant, the new Hotel and naturally with their small daughter, who is a very lucky girl to be able to grow up in the wonderful ambience of Essaouira.  Still, despite, or perhaps as a result of, all these duties and activities, Seb is a really level headed character.

We would like to thank Seb very much for his enthusiasm and commitment and wish him continued success, as well as hope that he stays such an inspirational member of the Club Mistral Team for many, many years to come.

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