In Réunion, surfing is once again authorized on all the beaches of Saint-Leu (west).
This authorization, under strict conditions, comes after years of prohibition due to shark attacks.
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The weather is fine that morning in Saint-Leu.
Facing the spot on the left, a wave known worldwide by practitioners, a good fifteen surfers discuss in small groups.
It is a question of knowing whether or not we can get in the water, because not very clear water can be synonymous with the presence of sharks.
“
There were showers last night and the water is not very clear,
” remarks Bruno, the beginner in his thirties and years of surfing on the clock.
He ends up playing it safe and decides not to go.
The threat is real.
Since 2011, Reunion has been plagued by an upsurge in shark loads.
To date, 24 attacks have been recorded, including 11 fatal.
More than half of those killed were surfers or bodyboarders.
Sitting not far from Bruno, Kevin, 22, believes that the risk is not very important.
"
There are already quite a few people in the water, it doesn't suck too much,
" he said before going to join the half-dozen practitioners already positioned.
"
I understand the frustration of young people, it's been so long that we have been deprived of waves ...
", comments Bruno.
In 2013, a prefectural decree banned swimming and all water sports outside the lagoon and supervised areas.
But "
we have just opened a small area of secure freedom
," said Bruno, referring to the Zonex system (operational experimentation area) which, since March 23, has been authorizing surfing under conditions on five spots in Saint-Leu, including the legendary left.
"
This is the result of long-term work begun five years ago by the association Leu Tropical Surf Team (LTST), the Requin Safety Center (CSR), the State and the municipality of Saint-Leu
", notes Gilbert Pouzet, President of the LTST.
Funded by the State and the Region, Zonex will be tested for 18 months.
The device combines preventive shark fishing provided by the CSR, an overview of the spot by a drone, a daily study of the water turbidity, and two jet skis and a support zodiac which ensure a maraud on the spot when It is open.
"
Nine people on the bridge
"
"
Nine people are on the bridge every day for a supervised opening from 8 am
", adds the president of the LTST, adding however that he "
does not guarantee that an animal will not pass our curtains
".
Hence the demand for surfers to wear personal protective equipment that diffuses electromagnetic waves (PPE, also called “
shark shield
” for
shark shield
).
To be authorized to surf in the Zonex, practitioners must be licensed to the French Surfing Federation.
They are also required to sign a charter of good conduct.
The spot is not forbidden to unlicensed, with or without PPE, "
but they are not insured, they surf at their own risk
," said Eric Sparton, president of the Reunion surfing league, associated with Zonex.
The municipality of Saint-Leu does not make a distinction.
It specifies in its decree that the practice is done under the sole responsibility of the surfers.
All this does not shower Gilbert Pouzet's enthusiasm.
"
The 110 licensees of (his) club and the whole of Reunion surfing will be able to slide in beautiful conditions of safety in the face of the shark threat
", he rejoices.
Alice Lemoigne, longboard world champion, agrees.
She speaks of “
remarkable
work
done in close collaboration with the services of the State and the municipality
”.
“
I am convinced that a new generation of surfers will be able to emerge.
The clubs will be able to come back to life.
This opens up great prospects for swimmers too,
”she sums up.
Eventually Gilbert Pouzet hopes for the return of competitions to the left of Saint-Leu.
“
Maybe two or three years old,
” he said.
"
You have to be pragmatic and not rush,
" said Eric Sparton.
