Dive! has tested for you » Diving and Drink » at Molitor, the mythical pool of the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
A true bubble of serenity. That’s the immediate feeling that envelops you when you enter through the spa bar, overlooking the 1930s pool now part of a 5-star hotel. After a visit to the spa locker rooms, we join Erwann who runs Plongéquilibre, a Parisian diving training school, by the outdoor pool. Olivier, the instructor, equips us with wetsuits and fins. Destination: the 1.80-meter deep pool, heated to 28 degrees. We are lucky in this radiant October to enjoy the majesty of the place. With its bright glass ceiling, the indoor pool is just as pleasant.
After a briefing on the session’s pleasure-centered goal, Olivier explains the concept of buoyancy, buoyancy control device in hand. Now it’s time for the signs to communicate effectively in the world of silence. Being able to say « all is well », « it’s moderately okay » or « I’m ascending ».
For the novice, the delicate moment is when you have to put the regulator in your mouth to breathe compressed air. Did I position it correctly? After a few minutes of apprehension, I leave the pool steps to follow Olivier. He encourages me to descend and touch the pool bottom with my knees, then to inflate my buoyancy control device to rise. It quickly becomes a game. And very soon, the sensation of weightlessness invades and completely relaxes me. No need for abysmal depth to enjoy these new sensations.
This very privileged Parisian diving session ends with a friendly exchange around a cocktail or a glass of champagne.
In practice
« Diving and Drink « , every first Wednesday of the month at Molitor, from 6:30 PM to 8 PMPrice : 75 euros per person
Registration at 01 56 07 08 80 or at clubspa@mltr.fr
Pascale Bonnamour
Photos: Sylvie Lagarde
Save
Save
Save