White Water Kayaking in the Alps Week - Grade 3 to 4

This white water kayaking week is designed for competent grade 3 paddlers who wish to progress onto grade 4 rapids. You will hone your technical and river reading skills so that by the end of the week you will be much more confident on the big Alpine rivers and know how to read the rapidly changing water and how to make the most of it to play and have fun!

During the week you will experience the big, bouncy high volume Alpine rivers like the Durance as well as smaller more technical rocky rivers and everything in between!

This is just an example itinerary and we will adapt it according to the river conditions when you are here. 

All rivers of grade III+ will have an instructor ratio of 1:5.

We'll come and  collect you at a designated time from Gap train station and take you up to your accommodation where you can settle in and prepare for tomorrow!

We usually arrange the transfer for the end of the afternoon but will adapt depending on everyone's arrival times. We do ask that you try to make sure you get to Gap before 6pm so that campers have time to set up their tents and people staying in the hotel are in time for dinner.

Get to know your group over a drink or go and explore Ancelle!

Today you will meet your instructor for the week and get kitted out before heading out to do an intensive skills day on the lake and river.

The first job is to get kitted out in kayaks and once everyone is comfortable you will you will start on the lake to go over basic skills and your roll on flat water. 

After that you will cross over to the Drac river where you can play in the stoppers, surf, doing tricks and generally practice your kayaking skills. It will help your instructor get an idea of your level so that he can plan the rest of the week accordingly! A great start to the week to sweep away the kayaking cobwebs!

This will be big day's descent on the Drac. The river Drac is the main river of the Champsaur valley and is grade II - III and up to grade IV in high water. The rivers Drac Noir and Drac Blanc are it's two main tributaries. These are kayakable in their own right but are more technical grade III - V for later in the week!

In normal conditions the descent is a long, easy roller coaster paddle with straight forward rapids and the occasional interesting wave or stopper to play on. A wide valley with beautiful mountain scenery all around, it is a great start to your week and perfect for pushing the limits and testing out new techniques. 

This will be a full day out to the Durance river so you will need to bring a picnic!

The Durance is one of France's classic white water rivers. It carries the highest volume of any river in France, with wonderful water which descends in wave after wave directly from the highest peaks in the Southern Alps. 

It winds its way through an open valley with spectacular views along its course - a big volume white water dream for kayakers of all levels. It is also home to one of the most famous play spots in Europe, the Rabioux!

There are several choices of sections ranging from grade II to grade V. Your instructor will decide which section will be the best for you to make sure you make the most of this fabulous river!

Today is an opportunity to have a rest from kayaking after your big day on the Durance and give you an opportunity to make the most of your time here and try a different activity.

You can stick with water sports and try canyoning or test your head for heights on a via ferrata or rock climbing, or give your legs a work out mountain biking or walking or even go for a fly in the air paragliding! The choice is yours! You just need to let us know when you book what you would like to do and we'll get it planned in for you!

This will be a full day trip to the Severaisse river. The Severaisse drains many of the glaciers of the Ecrins National park and although a relatively small river it keeps it's levels through to August. It's a fast and continuous alpine river and more technical than the Durance or the Drac.

There are a couple of options for get ins and get outs depending on whether you want to practice on grade III or grade IV rapids. After your trip down the Drac and the Durance you and the instructors will have a good idea of your ability so you can make an informed choice based on the river levels! Whatever you choose, you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps. The river runs down the valley of Valgaudemar which is 24km long with 3000m+ mountain giants towering above you on both sides.

This will be your last day and we'll be going for a full day out paddling!

By now you and the guides will have a very good idea of your abilities and they will be able to advise you on which river to choose to end your week on a big high! Alternatives locally include the Drac Blanc (grade III+) or the Drac Noir (grade IV), the Soulloise - grade IV - V. Or you can travel a bit further afield to the Ubaye which is grade II - IV, the Guil grade III - V, The Bonne grade III to V - you are spoilt for choice!!!

The final day of your kayaking week in the Alps where you say goodbye to the rivers and mountains. 

But hopefully it will be more of an a bientot!!

We'll take you down to the train station in Gap in the morning.