These days, the way in which we connect with the sea through leisure activities is fairly recent. In fact, it’s a constantly changing relationship and as such is worthy of ongoing observation, analysis and consideration. In France, these activities were marked early on by prestigious “influencers”: Alain Gerbault, Bernard Moitessier and Eric Tabarly. Sailing – and this is a good thing – has carved out a prominent place for itself, more so perhaps in our imaginations than in reality (the weight of the motor boat being considerably more important). It’s our opinion, our belief, that this culture still bears substantial sway and shapes our desires (through various “symbolic notions” like living on board or Olympism…). Today, whilst wondering what tomorrow’s practices will bring, alternative ways of heading out to sea are returning to the forefront. Lighter, more hedonistic and, in short, more accessible.
Maritimity, a term used by Françoise Péron and Jean Rieucau, is a neologism that refers to the variety of ways in which we approach the sea, on the nature and evolution of ties that once united human societies with marine and littoral environments, and which continue to do so today. Along the coastlines of industrialised countries, marine activities (fishing, naval construction, cabotage), are crisis stricken or undergoing redevelopment. However, the more recent enthusiasm for all things ‘maritime’ has become a genuine societal phenomenon, and through the process of globalisation and developing awareness, the sea and the coast have now become everybody’s business.
Source: Geography and Culture review
