BOOTE: Mr Hell, how is it that a journalist and publisher has been awarded the golden badge of honour with wreath by the DMYV?
Bright: The clubs and associations of the German water sports scene have always been close to my heart. And so I have been involved in the DMYV's public relations work for over 30 years. My magazines "Wassersport" and "Motorboot" regularly published the association news as well as reports from the regional associations and the Sport Boat Association. This made us the public voice of the DMYV, so to speak. I also have a personal connection to the honorary chairman Winfried Röcker and his successor Frank Dettmering.
BOOTE: Are you actually a water sports enthusiast yourself?
Bright: No. My journalistic credo is that the signpost doesn't have to be able to walk (laughs). Joking aside. I love travelling on the water as a guest, but I'm primarily interested in people and their stories. As a trained journalist, I'm interested in the stories behind the stories. They are often more exciting than you first realise.
BOOTE: We know you as a shirt-sleeved doer. How does that fit in with receptions and honours?
Bright: Honestly. I'd much rather wear my press badge than a suit and tie. But that's also part of our profession. If you want to report authentically, you have to mingle with the people and if they wear ties, I adapt.
BOOTE: What are your plans for the near future?
Bright: Today, I volunteer for the public relations work of the DSV Schleswig-Holstein regional association because I still enjoy providing people with first-hand information.
