Kayak the Alps - Beginners (tailor made)

Starting on flat water to learn some basic kayaking techniques, you will gradually progress onto moving water and by the end of the week you will be paddling your first alpine rivers! It is designed to be progressive so that by the end of the week you are hopefully more in control of the river than it is of you!!

This is just an example itinerary to give you an idea of what to expect - we will chop it and change it around to suit you! Our instructors will adapt it as the week goes on to take into account your abilities and desires and the river levels. The same river can seem like two very different animals with different amounts of water flowing down it!!

You also have your activity points to use on something different whilst you are here. Just let us know when you book what you would like to do and we'll get it planned in for you!

We'll come and meet you at your accommodation where we will have a chat about the week, answer any questions you might have and give you all the information you will need.

Then you can settle down for the night and look forward to tomorrow! 

 At the lake you'll get kitted out for your first kayak session. After a safety briefing and general explanation of how to get your kayak on the water without tipping in straight away, you will launch yourselves on to the lake.

The instructors will teach you the basic kayak techniques you will need to control your kayak on moving water. And whilst you practice your strokes and manouver your kayak around the lake, you can admire the beautiful mountain views, get a great sun tan and when you are too hot - well that's the time to try and learn to roll!

Before you take your kayak onto a river, it's a good idea to know what you are in for! So why not bounce down the rapids and get that white water thrill from the relative security of something inflatable!

There are stoppers, holes, eddys, waves, rapids.... and all sorts of strange and interesting water phenomenon that are useful to know about. Some are best avoided, whilst others are perfect play spots. You will have a choice of inflatable craft to go down in - two man or single person inflatable canoes or rafts. In general the closer you are to the water the bigger and bouncier it feels. It's a great laugh and will inspire you to get your paddling skills up to scratch so you can do it again in a kayak!

Depending on how you feel and the river levels, you can go back on the lake and brush up on your strokes or take your chances on the slalom course. It's a perfect place to try out your river navigation and practice your kayak skills. You'll have great fun trying to paddle your way down the course, breaking in and out and mastering your first moving water!

Our instructors will be acting as river safety as well as giving you tips.

This is to give you a rest from kayaking and give you an opportunity to make the most of your time here and try a different activity. Hurtle down a zip wire on a high ropes adventure course, jump into cool alpine water canyoning, try hydrospeed, go mountain biking or fly high above the Alps paragliding! The choice is yours!

This is a full on session on a grade two river that may well end up being a river descent depending on how you get on.

The aim is to prepare you for a full river descent tomorrow. Be prepared to be challenged and tested and get your support strokes up to scratch!

This is what you have been working up to all week - a full day out white water kayaking on rivers of the Southern French Alps. The choice of river will be made by our instructors depending on your progress and the water levels but expect a full on day of sheer fun! The river is flowing and the sun is shining and you are standing at the get in with your kayak. It is just too inviting to stay a moment longer on the bank so in you go - fully immersed in the magic of the river! Now it really will be all up to you to decide if you want to go in that stopper or not!!

Our instructors will be with you all the time and will be acting as river safety as well as giving you tips and you will break out regularly for rests, technique advice, chats and sunbathing!

The sad day when you have to say goodbye. You will no doubt have aching arms but will have achieved alot in the space of a week!