An appointment was made at the beginning of the afternoon in Limoges (Haute-Vienne) to participate in this festive event in six-degree water: swimming more than 2 km in a river in the middle of winter. With a disguise. A challenge in good humor which also allows local nautical clubs to come together.
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Sunday January 5, 2025, it is 1 p.m. Meet at the Limoges nautical base. Around thirty volunteers responded for this refreshing challenge at the start of the year organized by the French Federation of Underwater Sports, with the help of the SNSM. All the nautical sports clubs in the surrounding area were invited.
On the program, two and a half kilometers of descent of the Vienne. Isothermal clothing obligatory, of course, in the river water which was close to six degrees this Sunday.
A little extra allowed for the less courageous, although, the possibility of taking a board or a hydrospeed with you to make the journey easier and keep your head above water.
After the obligatory safety point, the start is given, the swimmers set off in good spirits.
“The idea of going down the Vienne, once in your life, at least”explains this swimmer wearing a pink jellyfish, who also confirms that the temperature is ideal. We'll take his word for it.
“It’s more of a little moment of sharing, between friends, than a moment of real sensation, but it’s super nice”explains another swimmer, all smiles.
Despite the six degrees, and thanks to the sun, all the participants are in a good mood.
And we salute the courage of our colleague Emmanuel Denanot who did not hesitate to take the plunge with the president of the FFESSM, Aurélien Lazeiras.
This river descent was traditional until the early 2000s, then it stopped for around twenty years. 2025 sees it reborn, to the great pleasure of these courageous people who will perhaps do it again in a year.
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