Temperatures will rise a little more in the coming days. These few extra degrees will convince some people to go to the sea and why not take a dip. If you want to try a new water sport, you can try longe-côte. This activity began around twenty years ago right near us, in the North of France, in Dunkirk to be precise.
Discover in video five methods to boost your motivation:
How is longe-côte practiced?
As its name suggests, the longe-côte consists of following the coast, but not just any way. When traveling, the water level should be between the armpits and the navel. Additionally, you are not allowed to run. In an Instagram video from our colleagues from France 3 Nord-Pas-De-Calais, we discover that longe-côte can “be practiced with a paddle on the individual 50 meters for better propulsion. You need to do less than 50 seconds to cover the distance. The pace is therefore sustained.
Longe-côte can be practiced solo or in a team for more motivation and cohesion. Team courses can reach 1000 meters. The discipline is intense, you have to move through the water, face the power of the waves and the movements of the sea. Northerners practice longe-côte in summer and winter. If you are cold, rest assured, it is possible to wear a suit against the cold. In summer, a simple swimsuit is enough. You don’t need to be a great sportsman or a great swimmer to get started, you simply need to be sufficiently motivated, to like walking and of course to love water.
Although this sport was previously practiced by amateurs, it has since become professional. There are indeed French championships, but also European Championships. Longe-Côte is also affiliated with the French Hiking Federation.
What benefits?
We know that walking has many health benefits. The prestigious Harvard University defines it as one of the most powerful activities for the body. The simple act of walking in water improves blood circulation and boosts the immune system. In addition, you experience a feeling of well-being and freedom with the horizon as far as the eye can see.
In an article devoted to water walking published in Le Parisien, a water walking enthusiast details the effects she experiences on her body: “The benefits are extraordinary, the bodily sensations indescribable, even after six years of diligent practice. This provides better sleep, boosted venous return, better exercise endurance and a refined silhouette.“. By moving as if he were resisting the sea, the aquatic walker performs a self-massage on his body, with a draining effect. So many advantages. So, should we get started?
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