With the Cotentinois, we went to meet Clémence Fossard, a boating enthusiast, at the La Hague nautical center à Urville.
The Cotentin has long been a paradise for lovers of nautical sports. Our pinch takes us into a salty universe where sails, waves and wetsuits coexist. Clémence shares her advice with us for enjoying the sea and water sports, in complete safety and for all ages.
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Hello Clémence, we are delighted to welcome you to the La Hague nautical center, on the Urville-Nacqueville base. To start this interview, I'm going to ask you a few questions related to Cotentin. For each question, you choose the answer that suits you best and you can, if you wish, explain to us why this choice. Are you ready ?
Hello, yes I am ready.
Do you prefer Cotentin in summer or winter?
It's hard, especially in winter.
Seafood or local produce platter?
Seafood platter.
Rather hiking or water sports?
Nautical sports.
Coastline or bocage?
Littoral.
Crafts or heritage?
Patrimony.
Sweet or raw cider?
Brood.
Shortboard or longboard
Ah, it depends on the summer or winter, but mainly longboard.
Thank you very much for your answers. Before talking in a little more detail about boating, I am going to suggest that you introduce yourself and also explain to us your link with the Cotentin.
So, my name is Clémence, I'm 33 years old, I'm from center-Manche, from Saint-Lô. But I grew up in Cherbourg, I always wanted to leave Cherbourg to be honest because when I was young, I wanted to go to the other side of the world. I had my experiences, I went to live abroad in several super nice countries and life meant that I came back to Cherbourg. Ultimately, I really like it there and I started my family there. I developed my professional career in Cherbourg and finally, after visiting several other countries, we have all the qualities to have a peaceful and happy life in Cotentin.
Are you passionate about the sea?
Yes. It's funny because I started sailing thanks to my family because my grandparents and my parents sailed. But I actually started sailing on my own here in La Hague Nautical Center, I was windsurfing. I did it for a few years, but I wasn't good at competing. I quickly stopped and then I went back to surfing because it's much more practical, especially when you have your first car, a lot less gear to move.
Afterwards, I left to study and when I returned to Cherbourg, it was obvious for me to reconnect with the sea. I both resumed regattas at Cherbourg Yacht Club. And then surfing, quite naturally, where I took lessons again at Cotentin surf club, a few years ago. Now, it's almost weekly that we're in the water.
And you, the sea, what does it give you in terms of sensations and feelings?
So it depends on winter or summer. It's true that in summer, we're not always lucky with the weather, but it has the advantage of being very peaceful. Winter is freezing, it must be said eh. It's balaclavas, gloves, slippers, but it's very vibrant. It's almost austere at times, there's a mixture of adrenaline and anxiety that comes along. But it's really a relationship linked to the elements where we cannot lie in the face of the elements, we are obliged to be 100% natural.
It's true that the relationship with water is essential and above all for me, in my way of being, I try to instill it in my children as early as possible so that they are at ease. comfortable in the water, in this element. The sea is always moving and no matter how much we pass, even if only on the salt flats every morning, we will never have the same picture in the harbor, it changes all the time. This is the advantage of being able to practice a sporting and nautical activity at home, is that whatever the weather, we always have a solution to practice with the sea, so it can be for most of the loin-coast, surf, Sheer, windsurfing or kitesurfing. We all have, I think, as Cotentinois, a strong link with the sea. I think it's good to be able to enjoy it because it's quite unique.
It's true that if we talk more specifically, for example about surfing, the content becomes more and more attractive for surfing enthusiasts and what you were saying there, the weather conditions have a lot to do with this attractiveness?
I think, because it's true that in general, there are on the Atlantic coast, we have the big surf spots in the Landes, they are very big waves, it's great, but then, we have to have a good level all the same.. Afterwards, we end up with Breton spots, they remain very small bays, there are a lot of reef, that is to say waves above the rocks.
For us it has the advantage of being safe, in the sense that we actually have power in winter, but generally speaking it is very safe. We have large beaches, it's not full yet today, everyone can enjoy a wave. The atmosphere is really good there and I think that little by little it is becoming known. People come with families, with young children, surf near us because it's safe, there are necessarily waves adapted to each level. The beaches are ideal for that, they are large, whatever the conditions, we always manage to find small pieces of waves, even in summer, when there is no swell.
And you, what are your favorite spots?
So I go to Biville so it’s true that I do it at home. But I really like the Rozel, there is a little juice at high tide, it's very nice. Surtainville and Siouville-Hague are a little further away for me, but they are really quality spots and Siouville is perfect for beginners. There's nothing to complain about, it's perfect. Even when it's windy, you can take shelter, it's ideal for that.
Can you surf all year round in the Cotentin?
Yes, largely. I even know friends who surf on the north coast when there are gales. I have friends who surf at Anse du Brick. For now, we have the advantage of having spots on the north coast and west coast. East coast is the rarest, but in any case, there is always a water activity to do whatever the coast.
Are there any water sports, sailing or surfing competitions in the area?
So, to my knowledge, there are several competitions, there is the Surf Open in Siouville-Hague which is very well known, more and more, I think.
There is the Surf Gliss Festival in Carteret, which must also be around spring, early summer. Afterwards, there are competitions like the French Windsurf Championships at the Pôle Nautique de la Hague which is very well known, and even if you don't sail, it's impressive to come and see.
For all water sport lovers, but rather on board, we have everything that is Rolex Fastnet Race which arrived recently, a very big race for Cherbourg. We also have the DreamCup, we also have very specific sailboat races. With the Cherbourg sailing school which also organizes sailboat competitions on Foile, it's called the Wasp. It's very impressive, you can see them from Collignon beach, we're very spoiled in terms of competitions. Especially since the coast allows us to observe them and really up close.
Yes, that's it too because the competitions are reserved either for professionals or people who have a fairly high level of practice. But that doesn't stop the general public from enjoying it.
On the contrary, and for most events, there are always initiations open to everyone, children and adults, to discover the practice. It's a real added value for us because we have bodies of water that are suitable for it, whatever the practice, we have ultra-safe bodies of water and that allows everyone to test, 'to try. It's true that we live with the sea here so if we don't try, it's a shame, we could miss out on something.
And you, someone who would like to start sailing, boating, surfing, what advice would you give them? Which organization should you turn to to start?
Honestly, I think the simplest thing is to turn to the associations, the clubs. I know that, particularly for the Yacht club, there are lots of practices that are being developed, lots of new accessible courses to learn sailing and make it accessible to everyone for those who don't know at all, who were transferred to the region.
For surfing, for someone who doesn't know anything about it, I would still recommend starting with a surf school. If only by learning about currents and tides, because we are still linked to that here on the coast. The clubs are really prepared and there is the whole system before even investing financially. It allows you to test, to make sure you like it. It's true that not everyone necessarily likes the practice in winter as well, there is summer, but the winter is quite harsh here all the same. It's true that for me, it's ideal to contact the clubs directly.
The sea is still a natural element. There are dangers associated with it. What are the basic security tips for you for a completely secure practice?
Whatever the practice, we already have to take to the water. That, for me, is the beaba. Looking at the tide and the tidal coefficients, there is the tide, which will allow us to know the time at which the sea will be high or low, but the tidal coefficient is what is more important. This allows you to indicate the strength of the current. When there are high tides, the sea goes very far and comes back and indeed, you can be swept away quickly if you are not used to it, whatever the practice, windsurfing, surfing. Even by boat, because afterwards, there is the wind, the weather conditions and here the wind often interacts and you have to be able to return to the safe port without a bad pun in complete safety.
But for me, the most important thing is to warn that we are going to sea.
We also have structures here, whatever the clubs which allow us to understand meteorological knowledge to feel with total confidence, to be able to go to sea peacefully, alone or with family.
Yes, that's it too, you say warning, but it also means trying to go there, perhaps not alone at sea, to be accompanied?
Yes, you shouldn't hesitate, especially since there are plenty of structures that allow you to leave in a fleet or even start as a group, through acquaintances through the network. At the Cherbourg Yacht Club, novices can join boats in regattas. We have a regatta that is known locally, it is the Tuesday evening championship where all the boats sail. Someone who is completely new can come and try, enjoy and learn little by little like this through exchanges with others.
You are a young mother, are you already starting to share your passion for the sea with your child?
So it's true that it's very important for us, for my partner and me, that the children enjoy the sea, so we have 2 children, a 4-year-old girl and a 10-month-old boy. We have already started baby swimming lessons, it is important that they can feel comfortable in the water. Even if they may never go surfing, I don't know, but the idea is really that they are comfortable in the water, whatever the elements, it will be useful for them to later. It's true that we would like to be able to share moments, surf sessions as a family, it's a bit of a dream that we have in the back of our minds that we would like them to share one day. But if they want to do something else, they'll do something else, it's not a big deal. For now, I think it's a plus to be able to transmit appetites and this certain ease of being in the water, whatever the practice, so as not to be afraid. We must become one with nature and not necessarily fight it.
We are surrounded by nature, we must respect it, it is part of respecting the environment. For you, how can we share and transmit to younger generations the passion and also the respect for the sea?
I think it's done in a somewhat transversal way with the different contacts we can have. I know that at school, they already prepare children for this subject. Every time we go to the beach, we pick up as much trash as possible. It's a little sad to say like that, but it's true that we play a little game every time we walk on the beach, whatever the beach, we try to pick up, and it's up to whoever picks up the most of waste. We try every time to clean the beach because it's here where we spend the most time with family. There is the beach, but there is also in the forests, it works in all places, but I think that it is both through the parents, but via the different infrastructures, that the child encounters. It's good to be able to repeat that it is important not to throw waste anywhere.
What if you had to define the Cotentin Sea?
I think that the Cotentin Sea has the advantage of being changeable. She is always different. Whatever the year and the weather, we never have the same picture and that's what's beautiful, quite simply.
Do you have other sporting activities outside of the sea too? Do you have other things that you like in Cotentin?
Like any Manchese girl, I did a horse riding pass. I did it for a few years, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to have a career.
We go hiking as a family, we walk outside a lot, especially since with children the periods of freedom decrease. Mostly the sea, if it's not the boat, it's surfing, otherwise it's walks along the water's edge.
Could you share with us one or more good local addresses that you particularly like?
The Unequivocal Caves Inn. The food is great and it's really very friendly, it's very nice.
Afterwards, we like to have a drink at the Café du Port from time to time with our friends in Omonville-la-Rogue. If you want to discover the sea and nautical activities for children, I would say the sailing school because they are equipped, they must have great gear, they are everything to be able to progress, understand the sea and discover the joys of the navigation.
Don't hesitate to stop at the Cherbourg club, there are great courses and you can even go on a float with friends and a skipper in the Channel Islands, it's definitely worth seeing.
It makes you want it in any case. And finally, last question, what makes Cotentin unique for you?
It’s true that you don’t go there by chance in Cotentin, there is always a goal. We never pass through Cherbourg or the Cotentin by chance, but it has the advantage that the seasons matter of having a completely different view. The Cotentin has 3 distinct and very different coasts, and I think that whatever the season and the coasts, everything changes. It remains a raw territory with nature in its truly raw state facing the elements and for those who love nature, I think it is ideal.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience and I hope that it has made you want to come and discover the Cotentin and especially to take up water sports.
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