Pushing Limits in the World’s Harshest Elements

”I have always been drawn to the elements. My family lives close to the ocean, and we used to go and watch winter storms when I was a child. My father taught me freediving at a very young age, then sailing and how to play in the waves. My grandfather introduced me to photography,” Maxime says.

As Maxime grew older, he developed these two passions and eventually turned them into his profession.

”What drives me is a deep thirst for adventure and discovery. That’s why I need equipment that is practical, easy to use, and, above all, extremely reliable – because my life often depends on it.”

What originally sparked Maxime’s interest in water, adventure, and extreme conditions?

”I love pushing my limits and feeling the elements. That’s when I truly feel alive. When nature unleashes its power, that’s when I feel it communicating – and that’s exactly when I feel the strongest urge to be outside.”

Maxime’s Heart of Ice project began while he was working in aquatic photography for big-wave surfing while simultaneously preparing for polar expeditions.

”When I discovered that there could be significant amounts of water inside glaciers, I felt a strong urge to go and create images deep within the ice. That’s how it all started,” he says.

Maxime chose Ursuit as his collaboration partner because his mentor in polar environments was already using their suits for Arctic expeditions.

”I had the opportunity to test Ursuit suits – and I absolutely loved them. To this day, they are the best suits I have ever tested.”

Maxime uses Ursuit AWS suits to explore glaciers when there is internal water. He descends several hundred meters beneath the ice, often in very wet conditions. He will also use them during his upcoming transatlantic rowing expedition between Senegal and French Guiana, especially during stormy nights.

”My main requirements for equipment are durability and performance. I also value lightweight gear, which is essential for moving efficiently inside glaciers,” Maxime explains.

A Ursuit suit allows him to operate in environments where being wet or cold would normally make it impossible to continue safely. For Maxime, the suit felt right from the start.

”My first impression was that I could finally go anywhere, anytime, without worrying about getting wet. It brings a real sense of safety and comfort in conditions where you normally shouldn’t even be outside,” he says.

”I was very surprised by how lightweight the suit is and how comfortable it feels to move in.”

Furthermore, Ursuit suits are easy to put on.

”You never lose time gearing up – it’s simple and efficient.”

Some parts of the equipment are directly linked to Maxime’s survival, so reliability is critical. The most extreme situation Maxime experienced was when he descended into a very narrow hole between a glacier and the rock, carved by a small meltwater stream.

”I had to slide along the rock while being completely submerged in 2°C water. I didn’t feel cold for a second; I stayed completely dry, the suit showed no damage, and I was not restricted at all while maneuvering and handling ropes to climb back up,” he says.

Proper equipment is essential when working around water or in cold environments. When working in these conditions, if a suit fills with water or loses buoyancy because it is too fragile, there is a real risk of drowning. In cold environments, being wet can quickly lead to severe hypothermia. Choosing equipment that truly matches the conditions you will face is vital.

”I feel a true sense of freedom when I can fully focus on my performance without worrying about my equipment.”

”I often encounter people who underestimate danger. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make them understand how quickly things can go wrong. You should never underestimate nature – you must always anticipate risks and leave yourself a margin of safety,” Maxime states.

Maxime feels inspired when he sees the impact his projects can have on the world, realizing that simply living his passion can help shine a light on places that are still unexplored. Through his projects, Maxime has learned that you can always keep moving forward when you have no other choice.

”I’ve also learned the importance of turning back when the risk becomes too high and the safety margin is no longer sufficient. For me, fear is a good indicator of risk, and I pay close attention to it. But once I’ve made the decision to go, there is no room left for fear – I cannot allow it to take over.”

Is there a moment in Maxime’s career that has left the strongest impression on him?

”That’s a very difficult question. I would say every time I managed to achieve something people told me was 'impossible',” he reflects.

Maxime recommends Ursuit AWS suits to anyone who knows they will get wet and who is not operating on a tropical beach – for example, people going on adventures close to water, crossing oceans, or navigating in cold environments.

When choosing a suit for demanding conditions, people should consider how long they will spend in the suit, whether it’s a few hours or an entire day. In extreme environments, removing a suit to go to the bathroom can be very complicated.

”You also need to think about ventilation, heat management, and whether you need to add or remove layers. It all depends on the activity,” Maxime says.

The most important advice Maxime gives for buying a first drysuit is not to underestimate it. It can withstand a lot, but proper care and maintenance are essential if you want it to last.

”When you have complete trust in your equipment, you can fully focus on performance. You eliminate doubt and hesitation, which allows you to push further and attempt more ambitious things,” Maxime says.

”There’s a saying: 'Cheap ends up being expensive.' You will quickly have to replace low-quality gear because it wears out or doesn’t perform well enough. The right question to ask is: what level of performance do I want to achieve? Then, you should invest in the equipment that will truly allow you to reach it."