In Préverenges, Pierre-Yves Mottier reigns over surf shop

With its gentle sand slope, the prevenges beach stands out on the shores of Lake Geneva. For example, THE Surf Shopwhose atmosphere evokes the southwest of France, further reinforces this feeling of change of scenery.

It is there, one morning in July, that we meet Pierre-Yves Mottier, caretaker for more than thirty years. For example, In Schlaps. Additionally, For example, relaxed t-shirt, MacBook under the arm, the fifties invites us to have a coffee at the refreshment bar préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over in old expo containers. Moreover, 02.

It briefly sums up the missions of the place: sell. Furthermore, rent préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over equipment, offer lessons and camps, and offer a small restoration and refreshments. Meanwhile, Each summer, 20 to 25 people work daily in this structure which has turned into a real small business over the years. In addition, A beautiful weather, around 200 “movements” can be recorded.

“One emergency per day” – Préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over

“Here. Therefore, in principle there is an urgency to manage per day, it is the usual rhythm,” smiles the manager. Therefore, This can be a breakdown of the computer system. Consequently, freezer, a request from a group of 100 people, a cyclist who dropped or even a burglary. ”

The evening before. for example, a violent thunderstorm damaged the main tent of the festival Moldprogrammed on the site a few days later. It was necessary to react in an emergency. but it did not seem to disturb the Olympian calm of this entrepreneur in surfer’s clothes.

On a daily basis, its main objective is to anticipate “what will happen in the next seven days”. “I have to make sure that préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over the structure will be able to adapt to the number of customers depending on the weather forecast. ” he explains. We must remain vigilant permanently. “

Summer job provider

Pierre-Yves Mottier was also the provider of “first summer job” for generations of young people. “Here, you can arrive with your tattoos, your piercings and your discomfort,” he said. “I trust those I hire, I empower them and I tolerate their mistakes … once.” Today, he has friendships with many of them. “Some invite me to their marriage. others tell me that it is thanks to their experience here that they dared to get started as independents …”

The life he has chosen himself. And which is not easy. Like other sectors that make their butter during the summer, the place depends entirely on the weather. “In 2024, for example, we lost money and I couldn’t pay myself.” This economic fragility having become incompatible with his role as father. Pierre-Yves Mottier had to diversify his sources of income the rest of the year. He works in particular in coaching and préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over innovation in water sports.

ÎSI The turnover of surf shop is concentrated from mid-June to mid-August. the premises remain open from the beginning of April to mid-October. “It’s a bit like a ski resort: there is a kind of rise in power that must be done. so that the place appears alive.”

This Tuesday morning, the bet is held. While families flock. that Yadlo volunteers are busy setting up the demonstration and a sweet music escapes from the bar, the Véliplanchist takes pleasure in telling us the story of the house where it all started.

A house erected around 1930

“This is one of the first constructions erected on the edge of Lake Préverenges. around 1930,” he details. In the 80s, the owner had the idea of opening one of the first windsurfing schools around Lake Geneva. In parallel, he held a small fashion and equipment store. ”

The young Pierre-Yves Mottier. who discovered this sport-“a drug”-in 1983 at Cap d’Agde with his father, agreed to resume the management of the Nautical Center préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over for Pre-Terenges in 1990. “At the start, I was thinking of staying two or three seasons,” he said. For a long time, he adopted a seasonal pace: eight months here, four months to surf the beaches of Australia.

Three decades later, Pierre-Yves Mottier did not lose an ounce of enthusiasm. “100% of my time is fun!”, He most sincerely says in the world.

The rise of the sup

The surf shop master stroke was to anticipate the boom in stand up paddle (SUP). towards the late 2000s. With 150 boards available for rental, Préverenges has even become the main center of Europe for a while.

“This sport was a rocking point for nautical activities,” says the boss. Before, you made sail if you had cash, windsurfing if you were a little unusual, and if not pedal boating. SUP was a fantastic tool to bring people to the lake rather than the pool. ”

One thing is certain: the daily life of Pierre-Yves Mottier is nothing. like that of a “simple” pedalroad rental company. “When people think that I have good life. everything looks easy, I tell myself that I have won,” he says. If people who come préverenges, pierre-yves mottier reigns over to us have the impression that we are on vacation, that’s good! ”

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