A very gray morning in Cergy, a time to want to watch a series under a plaid. But ultimately, it will be swimming pool. Swimming pool, what am I saying? Nordic basin! So I go to the Parvis swimming pool and buy a place. For 4 euros, I have access to all the pools. My purse is therefore rather satisfied with this price. The residents of Cergy pay less and the students too, but I am not one of them. The other good news is that the swimming cap is not mandatory here!
Equipped with my briefcase, I put my things in my locker. Do not hesitate to ask for a token at the reception, we will provide you with one without problem. The only problem: not all lockers accept all tokens, so it will take a little while to find where to stash your things. Passing by the obligatory shower and by the footbath, I arrive in the enclosure of the swimming pool.
I go for a dip in the 25-meter pool to warm up. There are not many people, it is very pleasant. Only a few children who practice diving and regulars, very well equipped. These people look at me with a strange air, I can imagine them wondering: “Who is this novice, is she going to the beach or what?” “
“Rather, the outside temperature is northern! “
After a round trip, I decide to go out to discover the Nordic basin. It offers a training length of 50 meters, the size of an Olympic swimming pool that only the one in Sarcelles offered in the Val-d’Oise until the opening of this very recent facility in the city-prefecture. It offers eight lanes, with a depth ranging from 1.30 to 1.80 meters deep. Before diving, I remember the moments lived during ten years that I spent in club… and I am delighted to find some old feelings.
The outside temperature is 19 degrees A cool wind hits my shoulders, no time to be cold: I immerse myself directly in the water. And there, unfortunately a slight disappointment came over me. It is not that hot in this basin. A lady next to me looks at me and comes to confirm my thought: “It is rather the outside temperature which is northern but the water is not so hot!” She exclaims. I look at the bright thermometer, it reads 26 degrees in the water. So I start swimming, my body warms up and I savor.
A clear view of the wooded park of the prefecture
The real plus of this swimming pool is to have an unobstructed view. Exit the gray ceilings of the interior, which we end up knowing by heart: I discover the greenery. This pool offers a view of the wooded park of the prefecture. But unfortunately some threatening clouds point in the sky. A lifeguard supervises the swimming, it is rather reassuring if you come with family.
After several lengths, I feel like a fish in water, I regain my lost ease and pleasure. I alternate the front crawl, the back. I find my habits. I even swim in apnea for a few seconds. Notice to fans of static apnea: it is strictly prohibited in the pool.
Last positive point: showers and changing rooms are very clean. They seem to be cleaned after each pass.
I come out of the pool with a smile and the desire to get back to swimming for good. Alain Bernard had better watch out. The two-time Olympic swimming champion, the first French swimmer to win gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, knows the northern basin of the Parvis swimming pool. He came on May 18 to assess the installation before it opened to the public.
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