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"We're coming to wave": in the heart of Paris, surfers now have their surf spot

2021-06-21T07:10:47.935Z


REPORT - An indoor wave of surfing has just opened its doors in the middle of the 15th arrondissement.


We go out, we are direct in Paris as at the beach, frankly it's cool!

», Enthuses Icarus, flip-flops on his feet and a towel around his neck.

In one week of opening, this is the third time that this surf enthusiast, accustomed to Senegalese waves, has tried surfing in this new spot in the 15th arrondissement.

Inaugurated at the beginning of June on rue de la Croix-Nivert, the static surf wave of Wave in Paris offers Parisians the pleasures of sliding out of the metro.

An indoor static wave

The concept, Jean-Baptiste Piette, founder of the company of innovative sports centers Maraga, discovered it in South Africa, then exported to Paris in response to the call for projects of the city "

Paris playground

" that he won in 2017. He therefore inaugurated his Wave-In Paris in June 2021, a few weeks before the opening of the Tokyo Olympic Games, where surfing was promoted to official discipline.

"

Water projected at high power on an inclined plane creates a static wave on the liner, you let yourself be carried away

".

Lying or kneeling on his bodyboard, standing on his surfboard, the “rider” faces the wave where he slides continuously in water at 27 °, which circulates in a closed circuit.

Read also: The International Surfing Federation applauds Paris 2024

Flowrider technology, "

a tarpaulin stretched out like a trampoline

", is designed to absorb falls and makes waves accessible to all ages.

The power of the water can be regulated and the wave split in two to allow riders of various levels to enjoy it at the same time.

My 8-year-old son celebrated his birthday there with his friends, it's very fun,

” says Jean-Baptiste Piette.

The price of the one-hour session varies from 20 to 45 euros depending on the time chosen.

Flowrider technology allows safe surfing.

Wave in Paris - Meryl Curtat

Between skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing

Beginners benefit from the wise advice of Valentin, who is delighted to "

make people love

". "

Once you understand the trick, you quickly become autonomous, bodyboarding is immediately fun, flowboarding is another experience, more complicated, because your center of gravity is higher

", explains the instructor, originally an expert in wake boarding. For Jean-Baptiste Piette, it is a new sport, "

closer to skateboarding than surfing

". Icare adds: “

in terms of sensations, it's between snowboarding and skateboarding

”. The best will perform here rolls or front somersaults in all fluidity, while others will be satisfied with turns to the right and to the left, already happy tohave taken their stomachs out of the water

"

Friendliness and learning together

"

It's sporty all the same, one hour is enough!

»Estelle and Pierre, who had tried surfing a month earlier, came to try the experience to practice the turns.

They will be able to rest in the bar decorated with surfboards and exotic plants, and to exchange advice on board sports with the others.

The friendly atmosphere and the familiarity of rigor are reminiscent of the beaches of Byron Bay or the Basque Country.

The only downside: the common changing rooms can leave

something

to be desired, but "

we are not at the municipal swimming pool, where it is everyone for themselves, it is an experience to be lived together.

», Explains Valentin. Francine, 72, who lives in the building next door, passes a puzzled head, then leaves laughing, she has never seen such a thing and could well join the group, being tempted by a little slips down from her house.

Source: lefigaro

All business articles on 2021-06-21

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