“The Sunshine run” The Durance from St. Clément down to Embrun is a fine introduction to bigger water (especially in the afternoon). You can get off above the Rabioux wave, which is the only serious drop, and either portage it, or finish. Or inspect (or not) and take your chances – but be warned, there… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Lower Durance 30/7/17 by Mark Benson
Upstream from Briançon among the ski resorts of Serre Chevalier is a long run on generally easy water which may be too low early in the day. There is one long rapid, S-bend – which is harder (possible portage on the left) and has few break-outs, but is essentially a big bouncy boulder garden when the… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Upper Guisane 29/7/17
Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 to 2018 – for more detail check the online Club Calendar….. 22 – 24th September 2017 Anglesey Weekend #4 Click for more and to book a place – based at Outdoor Alternative Rhoscolyn – coordinator Peter Massey. 11th October 2017 Club AGM and paddler of the year Awards (Talk from the… Read More »Club weekends and major events for the Club 2017 to 2018
The Ubaye Racecourse – Martinet to Le Lauzet The Ubaye Racecourse is the classic Ubaye run. A consistent stretch of class 3+ to 4 whitewater with fun big and bouncy rapids and surprisingly warm water. 15 rapids in quick succession, including named rapids like Dent de Requin (Shark’s Tooth) and Rouleau de Printemps (Spring Roll) make this section a… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Ubaye Race Course – Friday 28/7/17
St Clement to Embrun 20km What an experience, my first river in France! It was certainly one I’ll never forget. After an early morning wake up, we had a quick shuttle to St Clement. While the bus shuttle was happening myself and many others took on the rapids before preparing ourselves for the river ahead… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Lower Durance Thursday 27/7/17 by Liam Wong
On Tuesday we set of on a two day adventure to the Verdon Gorge. After doing a supermarket shop the day before, we packed up the minibus and set of bright an early for the four hour drive. We arrived about midday, unfortuntately to find that the river that usually releases on a Tuesday wasn’t… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Gorge du Verdon Tuesday and Wednesday 25-26/7/17
After lunch we set off in the van round the twisty roads with great views into the gorge below. The drop below was just a little wooden fence away. The bike was dropped at the get out and we were off to the get in for the 2nd paddle of the day. A fast safe… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Upper Durance Monday 24/7/17
1st river of the day…. Low water levels made a challenging paddle round rocks and little drops. We split into 3 groups, the average weight seemed to set the paddling rate of each team of pddlers as we scraped over some gravely sections. There were a couple of swims, but smiles all round. Off at… Read More »Alpine Paddling – Upper Gyronde Monday 24/7/17
With calm conditions forecast and HW just before 11am, I launched from the Old Coastguard Station at 0840 for a scenic outing to Hilbre. After crossing the shipping channel as “Kayak Robin”, I headed for Leasowe Lighthouse which is as far as I’d previously explored along the North Wirral Coast. Wirral Lifeguards were patrolling the… Read More »Return trip to Hilbre from Crosby, Sat 22/07/17 by Robin Emley
We unloaded all our kit and had set up camp at L` Argentiere La Bessee the night before. After a lazy start and a food run the first paddle of the holiday was the Middle Durance. The brave got on at the campsite slalom course, picking up the less stupid at the bottom to set… Read More »Alpine paddling – Middle Durance Sunday 23/7/17
