Deconfinement: how “dynamic beaches” will change our holidays

Brazilian surfers have been the first to get in the water again since the start of the coronavirus wave. And French mayors did not hesitate to dive in their wake. Almost everywhere on the coast of France, the beaches are opening up again where they are preparing to do so. The requests of the city councilors flood the offices of the prefects who must sign the authorizations. But everywhere the same constraint, the range must be "dynamic".

A funny concept first worn in France by the surfing federation, on the model of several countries which had already adopted it. Athletes are indeed natural beneficiaries of this relaxation of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Surfing yes, sunbathing and picnicking no

"The sports movement like other users demanded the distinction between the static beach for tanning and reading activities and the so-called dynamic beach which opens access to the sea, explains Denis Masseglia, president of the National Olympic and Sports Committee French (CNOSF). This is only the beginning of the lifting of the containment, the aim is to make a contribution to the recovery. Until June 2, this is a period when everyone must show initiative. ”

Since Wednesday, the Atlantic beaches have welcomed their first visitors after weeks of prohibition. But the distancing measures are strict and in most cases, opening hours are promulgated. "Any static presence, seated or lying down, is prohibited, as is the practice of picnics," explains the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique. Exit the towel or the deckchair, the beach is reserved for walking, sports, swimming or fishing.

No festive gathering

Festive or sporting gatherings are prohibited as is the consumption of alcohol. "Access to the beaches meets a need to maintain economic and tourist attractiveness," said the prefect in his decree, which also requires municipalities to specify the rules and procedures to follow at the entrance to the beaches. Measures that should multiply from this weekend from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. "We are going to take the orders for the weekend, at the latest Friday," says Gérard Gavroy, the prefect of La Manche.

This measure was eagerly awaited by residents of the coast disappointed to watch the sea from their window without being able to access the beach. "I take advantage of the low tide to do my jogging on the sand, I have the impression of reliving, breathes Thomas, a resident of Nanterre who has come to confine himself in La Baule since mid-March. It was very frustrating not to be able to take advantage of the space. Here, it’s huge and we don’t cross paths so we take little risk. ” A few hundred kilometers to the south, Elise is impatiently waiting to be able to go swimming legally. "I went there several times without lingering on the beach," explains the Landes trader. This will allow us to take the children and also bring local tourists back a bit during the long spring weekends. ”

Manage the influx during big weekends

For many elected officials, it is indeed a question of satisfying both a population which has long demanded to return to the beaches and to gradually loosen the economic shackles of containment. Without relaunching the spread of the virus. "We can reopen the beach, this is not where there is the most risk for the development of the Covid, says Gérard Napias, the mayor of Lit-et-Mix (Landes), who is waiting for a return of his request for exemption. We plan to allow everything that is not staying there but we can walk, fish or surf. We have more than ten kilometers of beach and the difficulty is that you have to open everything. But in a normal week, there is no risk. "

But to add: “During the weekends of Pentecost and the Ascension, there could be more people on the other hand. Since we only have one municipal police, we called in reinforcements and mobilized the lifeguard swimmers who will come this summer. They will check that there are no crowds and will be able to manage the potential influx ”. Swimming however will not be supervised.