Glossary of the Little Sea
Why a glossary?
Because words can sometimes be funny, words travel, and here we mix words up a bit and it becomes amusing…
Kayak or canoe
Because everyone has their own language in the jargon of boat hire companies, they provide you with a canoe, but no, you will be sailing in sit-on-top kayaks, which are open kayaks with a double kayak paddle.
At La Petite Mer, canoes are reserved for the guide.
Watertight container
Also called a touk, container, jar, barrel or cask. Here we call it a bidon, and it is used to keep your belongings dry during the trip. That is, if it is closed properly… Waterproof containers have a seal that ensures they are watertight. Like a tap, they must be closed properly to prevent water from getting in.https://www.rotomodstore.com/
Life jacket
Life jacket, buoyancy aid. It is compulsory and must be fastened when on the boat. It is your seatbelt. https://www.mack-kayak.com/gilets-techniques-professionnels/180-gilet-sauvetage-professionnel-aquavet-nev-pro.html
Paddle
Double or single, 2 blades in kayaks, one blade in canoes, sometimes called an oar or paddle by customers…
River
Here we sail on the Ardèche, the little sea at our feet, setting off from our base. Some call it the sea, the river, the lake, the water…
La Petite Mer’s lexicon also includes our everyday words
Take your time
For short routes, you have time to take your time… Chill, relax, loosen up…
Tobbogan
These are dams that have been converted into canoe passes. This is possible on the ‘Sampzon to La Petite Mer en Tobbogan’ route or the ‘La Ludique’ route.https://www.canoe-ardeche-petitemer.com/reservez-excursions-petite-mer/
Slide, skate, ramp, funnel… whatever you call it, it’s slippery.
Paddle
From the verb ‘to paddle’, we row, and sometimes it’s chaos… What’s more, to steer, we use a double-bladed paddle, and circular movements turn the boat to the left or right in the opposite direction.
Rudder
The action of planting your paddle at the back of the boat, which slows you down and allows you to steer quickly to the right or left.
Kiss the rock
The action of leaning towards the obstacle to use the force of the current and get back on course.
Cafoutche
The place where you put everything.
Bouzoubouzou
Also known as bazar or bordel, here it’s bouzoubouzou.
