This is a rare image this Saturday August 27 in the Ourcq canal in Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis): hundreds of swimmers jumped into the water for the fifth edition of “Nage ton canal”, a day of races open to all (from 250 to 5,000 meters), for democratize swimming in open water, usually prohibited in this canal, as in almost all the rivers, lakes or ponds of Île-de-France. “The goal is to democratize sports practices in natural spaces in urban areas.as here in Seine-Saint-Denis, explains Clément Rémond, co-president of the Omnisports Federation of Seine-Saint-Denis, organizer of the event. We want to show people that we can reclaim these magnificent spaces.”
The conquered swimmers
Among the swimmers, many are diving for the first time in open water, including Xavier, 36, a resident of Romainville. “It’s a bit transgressive, he says, it feels like you’re doing something you don’t usually do, the feeling is great. I’ve swum in scarier seas than this before, so it’s really nice.” The enthusiasm is the same on the side of Perrine, an experienced swimmer tired of the lengths in the pools. “The natural environment is really freedom, there is no need to have timetables, equipment or hats, explains the young woman after completing a 3 kilometer race. I find that if we could set up pools at the edge of the rivers, it would be very pleasant.”
But for the moment open water swimming remains exceptional in Île-de-France. Authorized in some leisure bases, it is prohibited almost everywhere else for safety reasons, in particular because of the dangers caused by river navigation. “Yet it is not a practice reserved for an elite, adds Clément Rémond. Contrary to popular belief, it’s okay, it’s clean, the water is soft, pleasant, doesn’t smell bad and once we’ve tested it, we come back to it.”
This year, 320 swimmers took part in “Nage ton canal”.