French Alps 2018 paddling trip
Day 9 The Ubaye Race Course by Steve Hitchen
An early start for LCC saw us setting off just after the bread delivery at 8am. With a second quick pit stop for pastries we were underway. The drive takes us along the Durance which runs past our camp site. We reach the lake at Embrun then head up the mountain on a switch back road giving us stunning views.
We all put in on the upper Ubaye at Jausiers which is the grade 3- section. The river is perfect for newer paddlers and offers great practice for the rest. The paddle took around an hour and all paddlers had a wonderful time. The sun was blazing and the 
water warm. The Ubaye is a great river and after lunch it got even better.
After lunch we headed for one of the finest white water stretches of river this paddler has ever been on, the Ubaye race course which is grade 3-4. Or Ebay as a few called it. With features from the start it was nonstop fun.
20 of us set off split into groups of 5.
A Grade 3 rapid to start. Followed by la Salle à Manger, a grade 4 rapid. With slow moving sections which let you catch your breath in between. 3 more featured rapids followed at grades 4 & 3+ before flushing out under the stunning Roman Bridge. A few swimmers and a few rolled back up. This author managed his first river roll!
If you come to paddle in this part of the alps this river is a must. Possible to paddle twice in one day LCC opted for beer and chips at the lake adjacent to the get out. With tales of the spills and thrills of the Ubaye Race course.