The keys to an eco-friendly swim

In summer, during holidays in the south of France, swimming is certainly one of the most favourite activities. But how can we be sure that it really rhymes with a responsible approach? Here is some advice and some recommendations to put you on the right track.

Find out about water quality

It’s a real pleasure when it’s hot to dive into the sea, a river or a lake! But did you think of finding out about the quality of the water you’re swimming in beforehand? If most monitored swimming sites are regularly inspected and very rarely have any problems or bans, it is important to find out about the water quality the day you go swimming. Bad-quality water can bring on infections, which are mostly mild, but which can however be annoying. To be sure of having a good holiday, look at the results of the swimming water analyses where you are going, they are usually posted near the beach. You can also consult the interactive map offered by the Government which shows the water quality for each of the listed swimming spots.

Choose carbon-free activities

There’s not only swimming, there are a multitude of activities to liven up your waterside holiday. But which ones are best for adopting the most environmentally friendly attitude? To start with you can rule out all motorised activities (jet ski, motorboat, etc.) and go for carbon-neutral leisure activities. On the water, choose a sailboat, paddleboard, kayak or windsurfer for example. If you want to explore life underwater, put on your goggles, snorkel and flippers and go off on a snorkelling outing, going wherever you want or following the underwater trails. On the beach, you can try beach volleyball, sand yachting or try to beat your record of the number of beach racket exchanges. And if you prefer to be idle, there are crosswords…

Adopt eco-friendly behaviour

Swimming responsibly also means a number of small gestures which rapidly make a difference. To start with, the most visible one: collecting waste. Don’t forget to throw away your own, of course, but you can also try to pick up litter around you, on the beach and even in the water. If everyone cleans up around themselves, the beaches will remain beautiful, clean and protected! You can also limit your waste by preferring reusable packaging for your picnics: gourds, hermetically sealable boxes, bulk bags, bento boxes… A habit which avoids having plastic bags or empty water bottles fly away, and also avoids filling up the garbage cans unnecessarily. Advice for smokers: remember to take a pocket ashtray! And, still with the idea of respecting the environment and the natural ecosystem where you are, do not take shells, seaweed, sand or pebbles home with you. They are elements which are essential to the very fragile biodiversity of the beach and the sea! And try to use an ecological suncream based on mineral filters and with no nanoparticles, to avoid polluting the water you’re going to get cool in. Have a good swim!