Kayak the Alps Beginners

Master the white water rapids of the Southern French Alps in your kayak.

A progressive course taking you from the calm and tranquility of a beautiful mountain lake to the adrenalin and excitement of white water rapids on the stunning alpine rivers of the Southern French Alps.

FIXED DATES: 23 July - 30 July 2011 - ideal for individuals looking to join a group.

OTHER DATES: Any time from the end of April until August subject to availability. - ideal for groups of six or more booking together.

Choose from a variety of accommodation with this holiday to suit your needs, wishes and budget. All options are listed at the bottom of the page. Or contact us to tailor make your holiday.

The week starts on flat water on one of our beautiful alpine lakes, where you will learn the basics of how to control your kayak! Before kayaking the rapids, you will get a taste of the white stuff in one of several inflatable crafts!

And then the next stage is to try and join your new-found skill and knowledge together and take your kayak onto the river. To start with the guides will take you down gentle rapids and onto a slalom course to practice ferry gliding, breaking in and out, surfing and maybe mastering a few tricks! And then once you are all feeling confident you will do a full river descent!

All our kayak instructors are fully qualified to French and European standards and are all well traveled and experienced kayakers.

And, for your free day we have a range of other activities you can choose from so you can really make the most of your stay in the Alps. Try canyoning, rock climbing, via ferrata, mountain biking..... and more.

Children must be aged 12 or over and all participants must be able to swim.

0845 009 8501

Itinerary / Highlights

This is just an example itinerary - we can chop it and change it around to suit you!

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!!

The instructors will also 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!!

Day 1 - ARRIVE and settle into accommodation.

We'll come and meet you (if we haven't already seen you on the transfer) to go through the week, have a little welcome drink, and answer any questions you have.

Day 2 - KAYAKING ESSENTIALS

We'll meet you in the morning at your accommodation and take you to the lake.

At the lake you will meet your instructors who will then get you 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!


Day 3- WHITE WATER TASTER

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!


Day 4 - KAYAK ON THE LAKE OR SLALOM COURSE

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 - just behind the lake on the river Drac.

It's a perfect place to try out your river navigation and practice your kayak skills. And you'll have great fun trying to paddle your way down the course, breaking in and out and mastering your first moving water!

The guides will be acting as river safety as well as giving you tips.

Day 5 - REST / CHOICE DAY

Your first day off! This is to give you a rest and also to give you an opportunity to make the most of your time here and try a different activity.

We have a range of possibilities available including canyoning, rock climbing, via ferrata, mountain biking, walking ... and more.

So you can either relax and sunbathe and let your body recover before the last two days or try something completely different.

It is really up to you and we can discuss the options available when you are here. Please note that any activities organised for this day are not included in the price and would be payable as an extra, either at the time of booking if you already know what you would like to do or locally when you are here.

Day 6 - SLALOM COURSE / RIVER DESCENT

This is a full on session on the slalom course 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!


Day 7 - RIVER DESCENT

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!!

The 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, chats and sunbathing!

Day 8 - SAY GOODBYE

This is the sad good bye day.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

We have a range of accommodation to choose from with this holiday including converted farm houses, bed and breakfasts (most offer evening meal as well), family run hotels (we don't use any big chain hotels), camping or for groups of four or more booking together, self catering apartments. All our accommodation is vetted by us and chosen for its warmth and friendliness, quality of accommodation, value for money and location.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

FIXED DATES: 23 July - 30 July 2011 - ideal for individuals looking to join a group.

OTHER DATES: End of April until beginning of August - ideal for groups of six or more booking together.

PRICES:
Camping Option - 450€
Bed and Breakfast Option - 599€
Hotel Option - 798€

0845 009 8501