Every Tuesday morning, their alarm goes off early. Very early. Because, from 6 a.m., these swimmers meet at the Guingamp swimming pool. The day has not yet dawned when they brave the fatigue and already dive into the deep end for a session of an hour and a half. “For 50% of the workforce, they are young people aged 10 to 12,” explains Olivier Hauchere, the coach of the Guingampais Swimmers’ Club. We have no choice because there is no timetable set up at school.”
But this group of around fifteen people is not exclusively made up of children and adolescents. Adults also benefit from it, the schedule accommodating them in terms of professional and family organizations. “Some come, especially when they miss the evening sessions.”
“When working remotely, I feel a little nosedive”
Divided by level, everyone appreciates this niche. Like Morad: “It allows us to progress and when we have competitions that start early in the morning, we are used to getting up early.” But, at the same time, you have to follow it up with a day in class or at work. “It keeps us from sleeping in class,” says Augustine. Even if a “slump” can sometimes be felt in the middle of the morning. “I’m teleworking afterwards and I’m feeling a little nosedive,” admits Arnaud. “It’s a question of habit,” observes Gwenlann.
“There are fewer of us in the water lines”
If participation in this session also illustrates a search for performance, it offers somewhat different working conditions. “There are fewer of us in the water lines so it’s better for training,” admits Kaelig. Him whose rhythm, like that of his comrade Gwenlann, is very intense. Both swim nine times a week, including until 8:30 p.m. on Mondays. “You have to go to bed early, at 9:30 p.m. and hurry up.” Or almost right after the session so as not to waste time in the recovery process. And thus maintain the pace throughout the season.
Senegal
