2025 LCC Alpine Paddling Holiday Day 4 Tuesday: Lower Guil to St Clements, Slalom site River by Marcus S

I am writing about the trip I undertook today.   I have been camping in the French Alps and have also been white water kayaking.  We put on up a dusty road in the Guil Valley and paddled past a very high waterfall.  The water was very cold but crystal clear.   We played on some fun rapids before joining the main river.  The colour here was dark brown after the floods, and our clear stream did not mix in very well.  It was very bubbly and wobbly here.

We then paddled down through many gravel islands with lots of flooded trees.  There was a very strong headwind.   When we got to the slalom course, we paddled down through some very big waves and got out at a beach next to a café.   We then had to swim down the river to practise throw-line rescues.   You had to shout “line” and then the swimmer had to hold their hands above their head to catch the line.

It was enjoyable, and now I am currently eating pasta and looking forward to the next journey we have tomorrow.