Activities - Kayaking
Have a look at our white water and kayaking holiday offers
The Southern Alps is famous for it's white water and kayakers from all over the world come here in the spring and summer to take advantage of the melting snow and ice and paddle amongst the stunning mountain scenery.
To kayak on white water you need to have had some experience of kayaking before but it is possible to learn the basics on flat water and then progress to the rivers quite quickly.
The best time of year for white water is in the spring and early summer when the snow and ice are melting. Glacier fed rivers last for longer and can be paddled right up until the end of summer.
To kayak on lakes, you can go at any time of year, although it's better in the spring, summer and early autumn before it gets too cold!
All rivers are graded according to their difficulty:
Grade 1: Easy - moving water with occasional small rapids.
Grade 2: Moderate - small rapids with regular waves. Some manouvering required.
Grade 3: Difficult - rapids with irregular waves and hazards that need avoiding. More difficult manouvering required.
Grade 4: Very Difficult - Large rapids that require careful manouvering. Continous, powerful, confused water makes route finding difficult. Kayakers should be able to roll.
Grade 5: Extremely difficult - long and violent rapids with severe hazards. Precise manouvering is critical for kayakers and rolling ability needs to be 100%.
Grade 6: Nearly Impossible - Difficulties of grade 5 carried to the extreme of navigability. Considerable risk to life in the event of a mishap.
However, grades can change depending on the water level and local conditions.
The river Drac (grade 2 / 3) runs through the valley of Champsaur and is ideal for beginners. The Severaisse (grade 3 /4) runs through the valley of Valgaudemar. And for more experienced kayakers you have the Bonne (grade 2 - 5). the Guil (3 - 5), the Ubaye (3 -5) and the Durance (2 - 5) within an hour and a half from the valleys.
It is possible to go kayaking as part of a multi activity holiday or you can spend the week really getting to know the rivers!
Beginners
If you want to have a go at kayaking white water we can organise a course for you, starting on flat water and then progressing onto the rivers. Have a look at our Kayak the Alps Beginners Holiday Offer.There is also a spectacular trip you can do on the Lac du Sautet through the gorge. It is all on flat water so anyone can do it and it takes about 3 hours.
Intermediate
If you have some experience of kayaking grade 2 / 3 rivers and want to improve your technique and challenge yourself on something more difficult, we can create a course for you, starting on the Drac (grade 2 /3 ) and progressing onto harder rivers throughout the week.Experienced
If you are a group of experienced paddlers, you will know where you want to go. We can organise your accommodation and river shuttles for you so you don't have the hassle of dropping one car at the end the river. And, if you want someone who knows the rivers really well to accompany you, then we can arrange that no problem!| www.flickr.com |
