In 1999, François Wilfart, professor of EPS (sports physical education) at the college of Creutzwald, also an amateur of scuba diving, became responsible for the diving sports section which had just been created. If the principal Christian Donadel and the president of the diving club Bernard Wozniak quickly tuned their violin and took care of the administrative part, they needed an educator, an enthusiast and a diver to take charge of the students. François Vilfard combined these qualities. They also had to convince because a sports section diving so far from the sea, it was necessary to dare. In general, team sports are preferred, or individual sports such as cycling, running or judo. During their two years of training, young divers will be educated in rigor and in strict compliance with safety instructions. They will have to learn to ensure that their equipment is operational and to watch over their diving buddy. They will combine theory in college and practice at the local nautical stadium with its equally unique diving tower.
An internship in the Mediterranean after the aptitude certificate
At the end of these two years, with a certificate of aptitude in hand, François Wilfart will introduce them to this underwater world during an internship in the Mediterranean. Move, free, among this flora and fauna that they had, until now, only admired through films or documentaries. This new universe is there, with its colors, its shapes, its diversity a few meters underwater. Each dive, for a week, will be nothing but wonder and a source of memories for life.
No candidates to take care of it
But now, 2021 will be the last graduation ceremony. François Wilfart is retiring. Of course, there were a few contenders to perpetuate the diving sports section, unique in the Grand Est and even in France, as the president of the Creutzwald club Antoine Mazzara pointed out. But between the responsibilities and the safety instructions too heavy to carry, there were no candidates to continue the adventure. So it’s time to turn the page on this beautiful underwater story, and make way for volleyball. In total, 300 college students were trained and graduated from this sports section.
