manue tells you about his test experience #2

As an individual, this was my first big adventure in rowing. After two pregnancies, a delivery 2 months before, it was the great unknown for me.

I wanted so much to be there, to share this moment with the girls and the crew and to discover the emotions and sensations of rowing at night, of life on board the boat, of rowing in difficult sea conditions, of being far from my family… I never questioned my departure on this crossing.

Leaving my little girl on the eve of her second birthday was certainly not easy; ignoring the opinions of others, believing in her dream until the end, refocusing on her family with my companion, Gauthier, who supports me 300% and who is a volunteer on the project, were key steps to stay focused on the project and to come out of it only positive.

I left very tired between the post partum, the organization of the swimrun but with a crazy desire to take off. The desire and the need to find myself facing the natural elements, isolated, to finally breathe and return to things that are ultimately quite primary: eating, rowing, sleeping. What a joy!

The first week was very difficult. The sea conditions were technical and difficult from the start. My weakened body, lack of self-confidence and the hormones of breastfeeding made me pretty emotional. I broke down. But therein lies the strength of the collective. The girls and crew were there for me when I needed them. Something quite magical actually happened on this boat. I recovered my sensations little by little, I slowly regained my confidence and found my rowing automatisms. It was more pleasant afterwards for me, but I had to go through these previous steps.

Rowing at night is also quite a challenge, I don’t know if you’ll ever appreciate it, but you’ll accept it. Sometimes you also find pleasure in it. I think one of my most beautiful moments was rowing under a full moon surrounded by dolphins under a starry sky with our angels who were there to accompany us. What an exceptional moment!

I really appreciated the rhythm we had, our life on board, the cohesion of the group, the respect of each one so that the crew is well. On a boat, you can’t afford everything. You have to measure your feelings, your fears, your apprehensions, your fatigue so as not to weigh too much on the rest of the crew. And I think we’re a great team where laughter is the order of the day; making fun of things, coming up with a joke that will relax everyone at a critical moment, that feels good. This is the strength of this group, the optimism!

The meeting with our skipper Elohim was also THE very positive point of this crossing, like a big brother, he took his role to heart and invested himself in his mission to bring us safely to port. Having full confidence in your captain is essential. Honestly, the crew is incredible. We can only thank them for being involved in the way they were, with such kindness and sincerity.

It’s quite a unique experience, and as Margot said very well, you have to live it to understand. I measure the chance I have to be in this solidarity project, which leads us to invest ourselves for others, for the children, for our children, but which in parallel, also makes us grow intrinsically speaking.

Thank you to all the people who make this project possible: our relatives, the volunteers, the institutional, private and individual partners, thank you to all those who believe in us, in Cap Optimist and who have chosen to be by our side in this crazy and great adventure!

I can’t wait for the Pacific with this beautiful team!

Photo credit: Jérémie Gabrien

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For example: by giving 100* euros my donation is divided as follows

*60 € dedicated to the Super Optimist program (sick children) and educational programs of prevention of health sports in schools + 40 € dedicated to the sports, medical and scientific expedition.

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