Nicolas Mathieu et Julio Rattinassamy are a pair of friendly explorers with a passion for the outdoors. Some of the events they have been working on, like Star Gazing, have already become popular features in Moka – and there are many other surprises in store. We are pleased to introduce you to the co-founders of Keep the Pace.
It all started in 2017 when Nicolas and Julio made a career switch from the hotel industry to organising hikes. “I am from Saint Pierre and I was looking forward to finally working in the region where I live, and being able to introduce its amazing sites to outdoor sports enthusiasts. With Julio, we have launched our structure and activities. One year later, Moka Smart City contacted us to take care of the maintenance of trails, to mark the Moka Trail’s routes and more recently, those of the Moka Decathlon Night Run,” says Nicolas. Keep the Pace has grown over nearly six years of collaboration, bringing innovative ideas to the people of Moka.
Plenty of unusual outdoor activities
The pair actually runs your favourite events every month through harmonious collaboration with the Moka’mwad collective. They will make you discover the most beautiful places in Moka and the surroundings. Every third Sunday of the month, they share the secrets and history of the region through Balad dan Moka, allowing you to discover some key sections of the Moka Trail, including Le Pouce, Les Deux Mamelles, La Laura-Malenga and the picturesque village of Crève Cœur.
Plogging is another activity combining environmental activism and sport hosted by Keep the Pace to preserve the beauty of the area. It is an initiative where runners collect waste to clean up the landscapes through which they pass. The waste is then sold to recycling associations, and the proceeds are used to fund outings for the youth.
Keep the Pace is also teaming up with the astrophotographer, Jordan Joumon for the much anticipated Star Gazing events. “Working with Jordan was an opportunity for us to bring together our two areas of expertise through our shared passion for outdoor activities,” says Julio.
An ever-expanding agenda
These adventurers are not content with an already extensive agenda. They are creative athletes who are able to constantly reinvent their offering to present new experiences in the region. What’s next? Traditional games for the kids, including kite flying sessions, and maybe a climbing club for thrill-seekers. If you are interested, check out the outdoor activity schedule on the Moka’mwad and Keep the Pace Facebook pages.
A foundation for 2023?
We can only hope their wishes come true! “It is a dream for me to be able to combine my passion, which has become my job, with a commitment to the community. The purpose of the foundation will be to train young people and improve their environmental awareness,” says Nicolas. The pair is already working towards this objective through collaborations with various NGOs, including TIPA and PILS.
These events and projects cannot be missed to make 2023 an exciting year!
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