Fmaker of traditional canoes is a profession reinvented by Jérôme Zerrouki in his workshop in Saint-Sulpice-de-Royan, today one of the few in France to practice this know-how. A passion guided by his love for stand-up paddle and which led to the creation of Esprit Paddle. It is not a club, nor a rental company, but the promise of a unique and timeless experience.
“Canoes were the first means of transport used, even before the domestication of horses,” explains the craftsman. Despite the common history shared by the two means of transport, it is the Polynesian canoe that attracts the most. With its seated position, rowing is more comfortable than kayaking. “We are better seated and the canoe moves forward on its own without having to force it,” say the regulars.
For a canoe ride of at least one hour, it will cost 30 euros per person and 25 euros for children under 12 years old.
Christine Rieb
We too often forget the hinterland
The aim of the excursions offered by Jérôme is to discover the other side of the territory. Opposite the beaches and the long coast, the Seudre provides a landscape to be highlighted, according to this lover of the region. “We too often forget the backcountry,” adds the creator of Esprit Paddle. Since 2016, Jérôme Zerrouki has built customer loyalty. Before traveling in the region with his paddles, today the same customers come back to see him at his premises in L’Éguille, attracted this time by the canoe rides.
The idea of his own workshop, hatched in 2015, really saw the light of day thanks to his meeting with Christian Campi, a naval architect of Oceanian canoes. Their collaboration was based around sharing know-how. The architect delivers the mold and the construction drawings and the Royannais, for his part, executes the plans in his workshop in Saint-Sulpice-de-Royan. “It saves time and money since the molds already exist and the patents have already been approved,” explains Jérôme Zerrouki.
Six-handed work
If this water sports enthusiast first manufactures the canoes for his company, he then hopes to be able to sell them. Construction is a long process, which has been underway since the fall. First you need to prepare the mold. “We clean and apply paraffin, then we proceed with stratification using layers of resin and fabric,” explains Jérôme Zerrouki. He carried out this step with the help of Thierry Lainard, specialist in composite materials and owner of Oceane Composite.
Then it’s time for unmolding, then cutting and shaping of the wood, for which the craftsman is this time supported by cabinetmaker Stéphane Groch. “I couldn’t be better surrounded than with the three specialists who accompany me,” rejoices Jérôme Zerrouki. Finally, the sails are made from recycled boat sails. An ecological approach that the Royannais hopes to continue through the future use of biosourced composites.
J.Z.
Jérôme Zerrouki affirms that nothing is irreparable on a canoe, which makes it an ecological leisure activity given their lifespan.
For this first season, two Polynesian canoes will leave the workshop and make their way into the waters of the Seudre.
To contact Jérôme Zerrouki: the Esprit Paddle website or by telephone on 06 87 84 70 25.
