Basse-Ham. I tested for you… kneeboarding and its sensations at the Moselle Wake-Park

Summer is here, temperatures are rising, and the sun is shining. It didn't take much to cool off. And while we're at it, we might as well combine freshness with adrenaline! Head to the Moselle Wake-Park in Basse-Ham for an afternoon full of thrills. "The perfect place to relax and have fun," smiles Nicolas Poillot, the manager. Several water activities are offered here. There's something for everyone. For my part, a small blue board about forty centimeters long caught my eye. Not yet daring enough to try wakeboarding or water skis, I chose kneeboarding. I put on my wetsuit, helmet, and life jacket. "For safety," says Nicolas.

Tense, a little anxious… I head towards the starting ramp. I'm about to dive in. The excitement is mounting, and so is the stress. Fortunately, Kylian, my instructor for the day, reassures me: "Anyone can do it, it's for all ages!" He gives me advice before the big jump, which I listen to attentively. "Curl up, on your knees, shoulders well forward, elbows tight." I glance around. Five large pylons encircle the pond. They support a system of taut cables that pull the initiated, a bit like a ski lift, but a nautical version. My knees are braced, my hands firmly gripped to the handlebars connected to the rope. "You mustn't let go," he specifies. In front of me, the cable is already twisting above the water.

And that's when everything goes wrong... I fall over and over again. I spend more time with my head underwater than my knees on the board. I lose my balance and then I sink. In short, it's "Les Bronzés font du ski", kneeboard version! On the shore, I entertain the gallery. But there's no question of giving up. And then, on the fifth try... Miracle! I finally find the right move. I finish my crossing about ten meters further on. But the sensations are still there.

On the pontoon, Kylian encourages me: "All you have to do is go around the pond." And he had to speak to bring me luck... I set off even more confident than usual. This time, nothing can stop me. After six attempts, I finally succeed. Happy, certainly, but exhausted. Because yes, kneeboarding is physical. My forearms are still congested. In the end, for a first, I did pretty well. A real favorite.