We have years of experience in the Alps, which means we have the knowledge to get the most out your trip. From knowing the best sections of river of every grade for any given river level to knowing the best ice cream shops… we’ve got it covered! With the full-board or non-residential options, you can chose the holiday that best suits you.
Full-board : £799 *
We are committed to making your trip as enjoyable as possible, from start to finish. From co-ordinating travel from the UK (and offering airport pick-up) to the top quality coaching on the water – we offer the best all-round service in the Alps.
All meals are provided, so once you’re off the river you are free to relax. We have use of lovely apartments, so there’s plenty of opportunity to explore the culture and history of the area during the evenings. This prime location also gives us quick access to rivers, meaning we can get more paddling done (or have longer lie-ins).
Of course, throughout the week you will be provided with outstanding coaching and guiding by some the industry’s best coaches. We will always keep ratios to a maximum of 1:4, ensuring you get plenty of feedback and attention while also keeping fun as a top priority. For more information about our coaches, see the ‘About Us‘ page.
At the end of the week, you will be given a summary of what we did and detailed feedback on your paddling, including an action plan for further progress. All photos and videos taken by us throughout the week will be shared at the end of the trip.
Non-residential : £499 *
If you’d rather stay with friends, camp or have a place you always stay – you can still benefit from a week of expert coaching and guiding with us. At the end of the week you will also receive a full breakdown of what we covered and get a detailed action plan so you can continue to progress your kayaking once you are home. We will give you a copy of all photos and videos taken during the week too, so you have plenty to remember your trip by! And you’ll be welcome to join us for the final celebration meal^.
*Both full-board and non-residential options exclude personal travel insurance, alcohol, snacks, personal kayaking equipment (top spec white water kayaks available to rent subject to availability) and cost of travel to and from Briançon area, though airport pick-up from Turin may be possible, contact us.
Dates:
15-22nd June 2013 – Aimed at intermediate paddlers Grade 2+ to 3+, with the potential to push onto harder things – especially as a second run of the day. Example rivers: Lower & Middle Durance, Gyronde, Lower Guil, Upper Guil, Lower Claree, Upper Guisane, Briancon Gorge, Onde, Upper Ubaye etc. The rivers we do will depend on river levels and the experience of the group.
22-29th June 2013 – Aimed at more advanced paddlers Grade 3 to 4+. This week will take in all the classics and a few less well-known runs of the French Alps, such as Middle Guil, Chataux Q, Ubaye Racecourse, Fournel, Gyr, Lower Guisane, Briancon Gorge, Durance Gorge, Romanche, Bonne, Veneon. The rivers we do will depend on river levels and the experience of the group.
Other dates can be arranged – contact us for more information. We also offer a range of evening workshops and private booking opportunities in the Alps.
How to Book
Please contact us by email or phone to confirm there are places still available on this trip and / or to speak to us about any queries you have. A £200 non-returnable deposit is required on booking with the remaining money to be paid no later than 30 days prior to the start of the trip. Details of how to pay can be found on our booking info page.
Sample itinerary:
This is only a sample itinerary which is flexible depending on the group’s experience, aims and objectives. The versatility of our coaches allows us to offer a wide range of sessions across the week, including rolling practice (in a pool, lake or on white water), playboating (flatwater or on waves) and a range of BCU qualifications such as whitewater safety and rescue and star awards.
Saturday: arrival in Briançon (airport pick-up available from Turin). Meet your coaches and the other students, and a chance to relax and enjoy Briançon’s culture & coffee shops.
Sunday: We’ll discuss everyone’s aims and objectives for the week so we can be sure we give you guys what you want! We’ll do a bit of a kit check before going for a warm up paddle on the Durance.
Monday: We’ll take a look at safe group dynamics as well as a few safety & rescue techniques before another alpine river trip.
Tuesday: We’ll use one the fantastic natural slalom-sites in the area to sharpen up your river skills. We may link this to a river trip in the afternoon.
Wednesday: A chance to practice those skills on a full-day river trip.
Thursday: Either a full-day paddle or a couple of shorter sections. We’ll make sure that you have had the opportunity to push yourself while remaining safe on the river.
Friday: The final river-trip of the week – a choice of revisiting your favourite section or trying something new. We’ll eat out at a local restaurant to celebrate a successful week on the water and share all photos and videos from the week.
Saturday: Departure day.
^cost of meal not included for non-residential students
