Decathlon will no longer sell boats such as kayaks in its stores in Calais and Grande-Synthe. Because these products “could endanger the lives of people using it for a crossing”.
In a press release, consulted by franceinfo, the brand explains that “The recent increase in crossing attempts have effectively led our teams from Decathlon Calais and Grande-Synthe as to the position to be held on the sale of products that can be diverted from their sporting use and serve as boats to cross the Channel. In consultation with the teams, we will now ensure that we no longer allow the purchase of boats – kayaks in particular – which could endanger the lives of people using it for a crossing. “.
The same press release adds that the Decathlon teams are “committed to never putting our customers at risk in the use of our products, whatever the circumstances. With this same concern for safety, we always make available all products that improve safety at sea (vests, oars, thermal protections, etc.) “.
This decision of Decathlon “will undoubtedly not be effective” but “it is strong symbolically”, reacts on franceinfo François Guénoc, president of the association Auberge des migrants in Calais.
He “is not sure that the measure is very effective” because kayaks for example “are very common boats which can possibly be bought on second-hand platforms, or even stolen from kayak clubs”. Then, “government surveillance has instead pushed smugglers to buy large boats in Belgium or Germany”.
According to François Guénoc, “this Decathlon announcement probably follows the disappearance of three exiles on a kayak”, four days ago. “A supplier like Decathlon perhaps feels a bit of responsibility in this tragedy” and adds that “if so, we can greet” this decision.
The president of the Auberge des migrants à Calais association emphasizes that “the government has given instructions to all sellers of rubber dinghies and boats, at least in the region, to denounce people who apparently suspiciously seek to buy boats and therefore susceptible to be made available to exiles to cross the Channel “. According to François Guénoc, these instructions were given “probably early 2019” since “The first crossings of the Channel by small boats date from the end of 2018, initially with boats stolen and then bought from suppliers.”