Jura. Summer jobs: this canyoning instructor is as adept with ropes as he is with human contact.

Spending as much time on land as on rock. A dream for some, a reality for Stéphane Bodillard. A canyoning instructor for over 30 years, he supervises, teaches, and leads this sporting activity, which involves descending canyons by following their watercourses.

Between the Flumen, the Grosdar, and the Tacon, the Haut Jura is full of canyons just waiting to be explored. Stéphane Bodillard takes on this mission, always with a smile.

The latter has been passionate about outdoor sports since he was 10 years old. It was through climbing that he discovered canyoning , as was often the case at the time. The instructor explains: "When we were taking the state certificate [of sports educator, editor's note], among our training units, we had canyoning. Since there is abseiling, we authorized climbing instructors to take people into canyons." This is how Stéphane Bodillard became a canyoning instructor in 1992, and he created his own structure, Rév'asion, in 1999.

The 57-year-old acknowledges that his career is "from another era." Indeed, since 2000, a state certificate specific to canyoning has existed, a consequence of the development of the discipline .

What does it take to be a good canyoning instructor? Stéphane Bodillard lists: "Enjoy the outdoors, and enjoy interacting with people. Of course, enjoy canyoning! Even if you have to remember that you're not doing it for yourself, but for others."

In over 30 years of practice, Stéphane Bodillard has supported many people, including families and high-level athletes.

In July 2006, the guide completed the route from Coiserette… With the French basketball team, led by Tony Parker. During a training camp in Divonne-les-Bains for the World Cup in Japan, the professionals were tempted by outdoor sports.

Stéphane Bodillard remembers: "They were good. But it was scary, because some of the holes aren't deep, so jumping guys who are over 2 meters tall... It puts pressure on."