The GIGN, the famous National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, includes specialized divers among its members. Last April, six of them enjoyed a moment of relaxation in Port-Cros, combining freediving and exploration diving. We had the opportunity to follow them during this unique getaway, balancing training and leisure.
A Parenthesis in Lavandou
It is 8 a.m. at the Lavandou harbor, already bathed in spring light. Six members of the GIGN diving team are preparing to board the Kénavo II, the boat from Lavandou Plongée. With sunglasses on, they savor this welcome break from their busy daily lives. This trip, organized by Mario, their team leader, and Georges Brunet, director of the ZRC diving watch brand, is an opportunity to strengthen team cohesion, away from the usual pressures of their job.
On the agenda: scuba diving and freediving, two disciplines they do not directly use in their work. Indeed, they usually dive with the FROGS, a pure oxygen rebreather designed by Aqualung, during their interventions. Here, the goal is to relax and work on their aquaticity and mindfulness, two essential elements for their missions.
Freediving as a Mindfulness Tool
Accompanied by freediver Stéphane Tourreau, the team discovers the benefits of freediving. For Stéphane, who has always dreamed of the GIGN, training these men is a valuable experience. “What I want to teach them is to be mindful while remaining calm, unlike their job where adrenaline is ever-present,” he explains.
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