Jump into the deep end. Without drinking the cup, without getting exhausted. Whether you are a kid or a senior, the exercise is not trivial. Some are inexperienced, others are worn out by experience. For this reason, the City of Nice is organizing free workshops until August 27 “aquatic ease” in a swimming pool specially installed in Phoenix Park. An initiative implemented since 2011.
Get in shape before the sea
When leaving the pool, Éveline hurries to dry off but stays in her bathing suit. “Towards the beach”, smiles the one who has just finished the senior aquagym session. If it pulls in the joints? “No, I’m used to it. Two mornings a week I attend classes [1]. It allows you to stay in shape to go swimming afterwards at the sea”, assures the Niçoise. While welcoming the free workshops.
On to the kids now. The majority of them are between six and eight years old. Of the “little toads”, as the instructors affectionately call them, who teach them to swim in just a few sessions. In single file, they throw themselves into the water with a little apprehension. A fry for only buoy, the arms move in all directions. Then the movement repeated again and again, gradually returns. The breaststroke, the base.
The training that reassures
“It’s reassuring to know that she is doing”, confides Arnaud. Ghjulia’s dad films the first exploits of his six-year-old daughter who has just crossed the basin. He is happy because “Tomorrow is the departure for the holidays in Corsica, by the sea. It was better to consolidate the learning”.
“That’s the goal,” agrees Lucas Jacques, lifeguard on this device for three years. Whoever coaches high-level swimmers year-round in Antibes has completely changed his methodology for the little ones. He is amused by it and describes “the phenomenal margin of progress” of the youngest: “from the starfish to the breaststroke and sometimes even the crawl, they discover the aquatic environment in complete safety.”
Over the week, more than 700 people train to swim. This suggests that places are scarce. Although registrations are still open for the rest of the summer [2].
[1] Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for seniors and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for children.
[2] swimmingazur.fr or on 06 80 58 34 39 or at [email protected].
