I crossed france on an inflatable stand-up paddle board

"My goal has always been to maintain a good level of physical fitness through regular training throughout the year. So I stepped up the number of trips I went on with friends, including some very enjoyable days out (Ghent, Douai, Tournai, the Scheldt, Bay of Authie, the Lys, etc.). But I also took part in many competitions, to challenge myself:~- Lille Paddle Race (10 km race on the Deûle) ~- Nautic SUP Paris (race on the Seine in Paris,10 km)~- Glagla Race (race in January on Lake Annecy, 13 km)~- 8 de Poissy (race on the Seine in October, 13 km)~- French Cup in Joinville-le-Pont, 12 km~- Raid des Canaux, 52 km distance over 2 days (start Aire-sur-la-Lys, finish Comines-Warneton, Belgium)~- Etretat Paddle Beach~- 3 heures du Tuamotu in Dunkirk (3-hour solo or team race)~- Route du Ch’ti, Armentières lake (4-hour solo or team race)

Thanks to all of this, I feel able to maintain a pace of 30-35 km per day for a month to reach Le Grau-du-Roi... In parallel, I did not do any specific training at the gym."

22 July: an emotional first day. At the start point of Le Corfou restaurant, my family, friends, colleagues and friends from Le Grand Huit were there, even the TV channel France 3. Thank you to Hanta, Yves Damien, Lylou and Marie for accompanying me for the first few kilometres and to Marie who stayed with me all day. Going through the first lock, "écluse de Don". I stopped at the Arleux campsite with Nico, Cindy, Nath, Marie and JB, a great evening.

23 July: I left Arleux, solo, arrived in the evening in Hermies, quite a few locks to get through, headwinds and paddling against the current, rain. I slept under a bridge.

24 July: I slept in Voyennes at a campsite on the Canal de la Somme.

25 July: I am on the Canal de la Somme in Ham, I fell behind schedule this morning. A few natural obstacles in addition to the locks and thank you to Johan who helped me through a difficult lock. End of the fourth day, I got out of the water at 8pm, I went past Fargniers, I'll look for a little spot for tonight, it's not all that easy here. 

26 July: Held up since this morning at Ternier lock by  Navigable Waterways of France (VNF). I am in negotiations to get the necessary permits and it is taking some time. Waiting for a call and hoping that it will bring good news otherwise the adventure ends here.

28 July: I have just got the green light to continue my adventure. Only started paddling at 3pm and covered 14 km. I will need to do better than that tomorrow. I am now on the Oise Canal in the Aisne department. I stopped for the night near Abbecourt lock. Tonight I'll be sleeping under the stars on the board.

03 August: Arrival in Chamouilley, a village below Saint Dizier. Small and friendly marina. Gentle day of paddling: 25 km.

04 August: this morning I got a full page in the Haute Marne newspaper from when I passed through Saint Dizier. 

05 August: arrival at 8 in the evening at the moorings in Froncles, ate a kebab meal, delicious!

06 August: rest day at Dominique's in Chaumont.

07 August: I crossed the very symbolic drainage divide. Leaving the south of the Champagne region at Cusey and entering Burgundy, my childhood friend Marco ("the big foot!") joined me to keep me company!

08 August: I arrived in Auxonne, leaving the Burgundy Canal to enter the Saône, the size is impressive, it is good practice for the Rhône. Difficult conditions, rain and headwinds.

09 August: plain sailing on the Saône, 34 km on the clock, I arrived in Seurre this evening. Tomorrow I should reach Châlons-en-Champagne. I spent the night at a campsite on the banks of the Saône. 

10 August: I got to Châlons-en-Champagne, a nice visit from the France 3 Bourgogne team this morning

18 August: I had to get onto dry land, it was impossible to paddle against the wind, I continue my journey on foot (2 hours walking in full sun pulling the trolley) until the wind dies down, hoping to reach Valence tonight. I get out of the water at 8pm, shattered from the day. 

19 August: exhausting day, a northerly wind to push me but with gusts and swell, sometimes difficult to stay standing. A bit of relaxation after a hard day on the Rhône with Josy in Châteauneuf-du-Rhône.

20 August: the wind was seriously blowing today, I had to use my paddle often to stop myself from grounding, I got out of the water several times, all in all a very tiring day but I kept going. I slept at the campsite on the hill above Bollène.

21 August: Avignon tonight, happy to be here, hopefully tomorrow night I will have left the Rhône for calmer waters.

22 August: this afternoon I met up again with Mark, the Norwegian I met along the way. He left Norway for Athens on 1 April in a solo kayak—what a guy! I finally left the Rhône to get back to calmer waters tomorrow and I had a great surprise: Jean Marc and Catherine my friends from Le Grand Huit came to meet me!

23 August: thank you to Didier who welcomed me last night at Mas Turquat, I am feeling well rested. Tonight I am at Saint Gilles lock (the last lock), I stopped here for the night, a big thank you to Gil the lock keeper who opened the lock for me.