After two years of work (and controversy), La Playce opened its doors on the outskirts of Quimper, Keradennec area. Even before the school holidays, the large indoor leisure complex welcomes every day over 6,500 m2 a large audience, curious to discover the activities on offer: a bowling alley with 12 lanes and laser light games, a laser game, escape games, a children’s play area, a virtual reality arena, two restaurants, a bar and, above all, the famous artificial surfing wave.
It is precisely this wave that fueled the controversy. Several associations, including the Extinction Rebellion Collective, protested when the project was announced, questioning the validity of an artificial surfing wave around thirty kilometers from one of the most famous surf spots. from France, La Torche. The Collective even organized a counter-inauguration a few days after the official one.
The wave in question is now accessible to everyone aged 7 and over and a session lasts 30 minutes. Under the guidance of an instructor, after a little warm-up, you can try surfing or bodyboarding. Wetsuits are available, but you must not forget your swimsuit. This practice is ideal for people who suffer from thalassophobia (fear of depths). Those who want to learn surfing, before facing the real waves of the ocean, have found their paradise. But for others, the experience is much less positive.
Siloé and Maelie, aged 8 and 11, both very sporty, tested the concept with their father. Certainly, they loved the sensations, with a slight preference for bodyboarding, more accessible to those who have never practiced one of the two sports. But following a fall on the edge of the track, Maelie suffered a collision, which caused her to have her shoulder immobilized for 15 days due to a tendon problem. The injury was detected the day after the session.
“This concept is very good, my daughters loved it. But for beginners in surfing, beware of the risk of falling backwards, near the starting area. You can bump into the side structures. The sessions are supervised by a very competent coach but the risk exists. It’s better to start with bodyboarding,” advises the dad, who also regrets the waiting time between each session. “The reservation platform needs to be improved,” he adds. A session has three passages. There were seven of us in the same group and we had to wait quite a long time between passages. So, if we fall at the start of the passage, well we wait for the next round. For €22 per session, it’s a costly drop. »
“Wave surfing is above all a leisure activity which complements and does not replace surfing in real conditions,” reacts the management of La Playce. It is a simulator allowing the youngest and the less experienced to have a good time and experience the first sensations of sliding in constant conditions, with water at the right temperature and an intensity to suit the user. As with any sporting activity, the risk of injury remains present, but minor for the number of participants. Safety is one of our major issues, the activity is approved, each session is supervised by experienced staff, with a facilitator present throughout the activity. The start is done with a briefing with safety instructions and a warm-up. » The Quimper La Playce leisure complex is open every day except Tuesday.