Fourteen years ago, I found myself standing in the middle of the Moroccan desert, board in hand, surrounded by cameras, crew members, and endless sand dunes.
We were filming a television commercial for pain relief pills. The concept? Sandboarding in the Sahara.
At that time, action sports were slowly entering mainstream advertising. Being invited to take part in a professional TV production felt huge. It was one of those moments where you realize your sport is bigger than just competitions and skateparks.
The project brought me together with Spanish snowboarder pro Carles Manich. Shooting in the desert was a completely different experience from snow or concrete. The heat was intense, the wind unpredictable, and sand got everywhere — in the gear, in the cameras, in our shoes. Every run down the dunes felt raw and powerful.
Looking back now, I see that experience as more than just a commercial. It was part of the journey. A small chapter in a bigger story that eventually led me to world championships, podiums, and building the Streetboard World Series.
Sometimes we forget the steps that shaped us. Finding this footage again reminded me how long this road has been — and how grateful I am to still be riding, competing, and pushing the sport forward.
The desert may have been silent, but that moment was loud in its impact.
And now, 14 years later, it’s part of the story.