JI’m hot potato ! », says Marc, rushing down the stairs to the sand of Catalans beach. In a burst of laughter, watching him take off his fleece, Stéphanie, his companion, admits that she will not start this year because of “ evening too forced… and now I don’t feel like it, even to restart the machine “. Marc wets his neck, hesitates for a moment and decides to go for it straight away.
It is almost noon and under the gray sky of this 1is January, there are not so many daring people who come to explore the 14°C of the Mediterranean. “ We are far from the thousands of bathers on Dinan beach », recognize Sylvie and Isabelle, originally from Brittany, who adopted Marseille “ over 30 years old », while toweling off. “ It is fresh, good, invigorating ! We do this all year round to stay in shape and because over the years we’ve really enjoyed it, but today there’s an added festive side. », assures one of the two retirees. They joined a group who put something to regain energy on a table, cakes and hot tea. “ We cool down quickly, it’s good to eat a little something right after. You shouldn’t come just to act like a joke, that would ruin all the benefits. », advises Paul, a 75-year-old winter bathing expert.
The festive meeting
Further on the Corniche, it was at the Roucas Blanc marina that the activists of the Free Swimmers had met the Marseillais for a collective throw into the water, full of color and music with a small fanfare from the sands. Festive atmosphere guaranteed, disguises for parents, teenagers, children, everyone has their own style, but we run together… Here, the image of the super swimmer braving the cold is not what dominates. “ We want to anchor this beautiful tradition in our city to make other cities organizing comparable festivities green with envy. : Ostend, Gruissan, Agde, Dunkirk, Dinard… », Hopes Benjamin Clasen, from the Free Swimmers association.
Although brief baths in cold water are beneficial for your health, and so that the first bath of the year remains a celebration and a pleasure, the spokesperson for the Free Swimmers of Marseille keeps an eye on his unleashed horde: “ It’s exhilarating but we take care that no one stays in the water too long. »
