A water ski school opens its doors in Layrac

Water skiing is coming to the Agenais region. In Layrac, Stéphane Miermont, a water skiing enthusiast, has just opened his school, the Miermont Waterskischool. He invites everyone, from beginners to experienced water skiers, to try their hand at gliding, or at least... stand up!
On the waters of a pond nestled in the heart of the Layrac countryside, at a place called Le Ramonet, four young athletes are speeding like arrows. A precise slalom, controlled speed, mastered posture... The four champions are training under the watchful eye of their coach, Stéphane Miermont, glued to the helm of the boat.
At 55, this native of Lot-et-Garonne has never really left water skiing behind: "It's been a part of my whole family. It's truly a passion. My daughter was a champion too ," smiles the former skier. After years spent in Baurech, south of Bordeaux, where he ran his first school, he returns to his native land, where he himself learned the sport, with one ambition: "To introduce this spectacular sport to a department where it's scarce."
“It’s the boat that does everything”For the past two weeks, Stéphane Miermont has been in Layrac to introduce his sport: "Many people go to the Côte d'Azur and try water skiing. It costs a fortune, and often, they don't even get out of the water. That's not what I want to offer!"

Loïc Déquier/SO
Because according to him, water skiing isn't as inaccessible as it seems. "It's simple: if you can stand on the pontoon, you can stay on the skis," he says, laughing. "It's the boat that does everything. You shouldn't pull towards yourself, you have to let it push you." An introductory session lasts "one lap," or about fifteen minutes, where the objective is simple: "Stand up and glide." And while the offer may seem short, Stéphane Miermont assures us that few people will last longer. "It's a very intense sport. Fifteen minutes of water skiing is equivalent to an hour of jogging."
Open to everyone, from 7 to 77 years old, the Miermont Waterskischool offers introductory sessions as well as more intense courses for those who are passionate about the sport. Stéphane Miermont sums it up: "Water skiing is a question of rhythm and angle, not strength. You don't need to be a good swimmer or very athletic."
Information at 06 75 02 18 52.
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