At the port, it’s more than just boats! The Aigle Nautique Center wants to make its presence known. Located at 50 Boulevard Franck Pilatte, it has opened its doors to the public. Whether young or old, indoors or outdoors, there’s something for everyone.
For the little ones aged 3-6, everything happens indoors. Awareness of nature is raised from an early age. To achieve this, Delphine Orieux, an employee at the Center for the Discovery of the Marine World (CDMM), has set up games designed to encourage respect for nature. “We have a film about biodiversity, a game on the life span of waste in the sea, and a mystery box” capable of revealing all sorts of gastropods. “An aquarium allows children to observe and touch the least fragile marine life.” Gaëtan*, 5 years old, is delighted to present the fish he recognizes one by one. He then eagerly plays at being a budding scientist. “The CDMM members caught plankton this morning. Immersed in water, they are now being carefully observed under a microscope,” Delphine says with a smile.
A game already tried by the older children. Able to swim, they wish to observe plankton with the naked eye in their natural environment. Sun, warmth, nothing better to get started with scuba diving and kayaking. And on this open day, nothing is easier. “You just need to show up at the stand and fill out a parental consent form for minors,” explains Cédric Palerme, a diving instructor at the aquatic center. “The club provides you with the necessary equipment, and off you go for a half-hour free activity,” adds Naty Galant, vice president of the kayak club.
Upon exiting, it’s heartfelt joy: “it was amazing!” Others are more reserved but take the plunge: “they registered for the year,” Cédric Palerme informs us. A well-leveraged initiation day, even though it’s not the primary goal according to Naty: “we are the best nautical club in France with more than 300 members. We are not specifically looking to recruit more. What interests us here is to introduce people to water sports (kayaking, sailing, diving, rowing…) and to promote the summer children’s camp.” This should interest mothers looking for activities for their children during the summer.
- his first name has been changed.
