BENOÎT, RETAIL ASSISTANT AT DECATHLON IN LE MANS

He's keen on scuba diving. Learn more about him…

I’m 39 years old. I've been diving for 23 years. I first started diving with my uncle, who introduced me to this sport, and since then I've never stopped. I've dived mainly in France (Mediterranean, Atlantic, pool, tank, etc.) but also abroad especially in Egypt. I'm now a FFESSM (French Federation of Undersea Studies and Sports) level 5 diver but also a level 2 instructor.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT DECATHLON ?

What's your background?

I joined the Decathlon team 12 years ago as a retail assistant. In the beginning, my manager had hired me to develop the diving department. I currently work 35 hours a week as a retail assistant at the Decathlon store in Le Mans. In addition to being a retail assistant, I've also been an instructor for ten years to help people discover this sport that frightens many salesmen. Knowing little about this sport, they have the impression that it's very complex and my goal is to make things simpler.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SCUBA DIVING?

It's the calm and relaxation which attract me in diving. All that you can see under water. For me, there's something unique about diving: for example, you can go to the same place 10 times and have 10 totally different dives! I like the "sharing" side of diving as well, because it's not something that you do alone. And, of course, I love the feeling of amazement from all the wonderful things that you can discover under water.

WHAT'S YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL MEMORY OF AN UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE?

I have 2 main unforgettable memories: a dive in the Atlantic around the island of Groix because on that day all of the conditions were perfect (brightness, fauna/flora, etc.). This dive lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes, which you wouldn't expect, especially in the Atlantic. And my dives in Egypt for the colours, this diversity of fauna/flora: the Red Sea remains a real wonder.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE IDEA OF BECOMING A SUB-EDITOR?

Becoming a contributor/editor completes my activity as an instructor and retail assistant: I always love to pass on my experience to others and make them want to discover this fascinating sport.