In Morgan Maassen’s latest cinematic venture, Apricity, pro snowboarder Daria Fuchs embarks on a stunning journey from the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps to the tropical waves of Indonesia. The film beautifully captures her pursuit of the elusive “flow state” in both snowboarding and surfing, bringing together two passions that transcend seasons and landscapes.
The word “apricity,” now largely forgotten, refers to the warmth of the sun in winter—a feeling Maassen sought to evoke through the film. It’s that fleeting moment on a cold day when the sun breaks through the clouds, inviting you to bask in its warmth. This sense of contrast between winter’s chill and the embrace of the sun reflects the heart of Apricity.
Shot throughout 2024, the film follows Fuchs, a Swiss snowboarder and emerging surfer, as she navigates these two distinct worlds. The edit begins with breathtaking footage of Fuchs carving her way through fresh powder in the Swiss Alps before transitioning to the sun-drenched beaches of the Mentawai Islands, where she seamlessly adapts her snowboarding skills to the surfboard.
“I set out to make this film with Daria, a young Swiss snowboarder, who won me over with her incredible prowess on the mountain and keen interest in surfing,” says Maassen. “Watching her on the mountain was a visual treat, and I felt honored to capture her on film in the awe-inspiring Swiss Alps. But what really amazed me was her ability to translate her snowboarding talent into surfing. The film follows the journey from the coldest days of winter to the warmest days of summer—a lifestyle both Daria and I deeply cherish and pursue.”
The connection between snowboarding and surfing is well known among pros, with many athletes finding inspiration in both disciplines. For example, big-wave surfer Kai Lenny is known to venture to northern regions to explore new lines on the slopes, which he then applies to his surfing technique.
Fuchs’ journey is no different. Raised in Halisburg, Switzerland, Fuchs’ early passion for snowboarding later led her to discover surfing, which would ultimately influence her snowboarding style.
“I started snowboarding as a teenager, and I only learned to surf in my twenties,” Fuchs shares. “When I first started surfing, I brought a snowboarder’s style with me. Over time, surfing has had a significant influence on my snowboarding technique. I completely changed my stance to replicate that surf feeling on my snowboard.”
The film’s first half showcases Fuchs’ dynamic snowboarding lines through the untouched backcountry of the Alps. In contrast, the second half takes us to Indonesia, where Fuchs surfs in picture-perfect conditions. “After five months of snowboarding, I arrive in Indonesia with strong legs but no paddle fitness,” Fuchs explains. “It usually takes me at least a month to build up my upper body strength. It’s the same the other way around.”
Despite the challenges of transitioning between the two sports, Fuchs is clearly motivated by the pursuit of the same elusive state of flow that all surfers—and snowboarders—strive for. “The goal is to reach that flow state on both boards,” she says, encapsulating the essence of her journey.
Apricity highlights not only the technical skill of a world-class athlete but also the universal pursuit of balance, serenity, and connection to nature that drives both snowboarding and surfing.