Kayak Clinic
The Ardeche Adventures Kayak clinic is designed for adult paddlers, from complete novice to intermediate, who want to develop their moving water skills and experience a kayak decent of both the Ardeche Gorge and the local Chassezac river.
We understand that not everybody wants to be thrown into the deep end and be pushed beyond their comfort zones - so we have designed a holiday that suits paddlers who want to develop their skills as well as enjoying the natural beauty and wonder of the Ardeche, with good food and great company.
The river levels are a comfortable grade 2 to 3 maximum with some great safe play spots, where you can develop and learn at your own pace.
We supply all equipment - you just need to bring the kit you’re going to get wet in!
Our packages run from early April all the way through to the mid December. We run the clinics in the out of season period for the region, which means the rivers are higher and there are no tourists on the roads or on the rivers! when we find a play spot, its ours!!
THE COST : £395.00 p/p non residential or £595.00 p/p with full board accommodation.
We have a variety of accommodation packages that we can offer dependant on group size and time of year.
If you choose our full board package you will stay in a farm house in Lablachere, with all meals included.
You can if you wish be accommodated in self-catering chalets on a three star site, in Planzolles, up in the Cevenne Mountains surrounded by pine forests and wild life. The additional cost will be dependant on group sizes.
The site has a large outdoors pool, tennis court and even mini golf, there is a bar and, dependant on seasons a small restaurant. It also has a barbeque area.
Civilisation is not too far away! Just 8km down the road is the medieval town of Joyeuse and in the other direction Le Vans. (We will normally visit the market on Wednesday morning before heading to the river)
Alternatively, you can camp at our private site in Lablachere, where we have a shower block and a pool.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(KY-8061-P) |
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Instruction |
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Kayaks |
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paddles |
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Specialist Kit |
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Transfer between rivers. |
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Price Excludes |
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Flights
Travel to destination
insurance
Food ( unless selected)
Transfers (unless selected)
Accommodation |
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Suitability / Level |
Class III (Beginner) |
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Minimum Age |
18
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Theme |
Activity Days
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
10 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Typical Itinerary
Sunday / Dimanche
Fly into Nimes or Marseille, or get the Eurostar/TGV to Avignon. You will have decided if you want to hire your own car, or if you have arrived at Nimes, we will simply come and pick you up!
Obviously if you want to make your own way down to us by road that's also fine.
Once we have shown you to your chalet, we will give you a quick tour of the site, perhaps you want to take a swim or go for a walk in these stunning surroundings.
This evening we will go through the weeks events (over a glass or two of wine if you wish), We can get an idea of your skills, and also get to just relax.
Monday / Lundi
The first day we will get you kitted out with a boat that you are comfortable with.
The morning session will take place on a section of the Chassezac River.
Here we will go through all of your skills from the capsize drill to basic strokes.
For the slightly more advanced paddlers, we will evaluate your paddling style and efficiency.
The river is still warm enough to swim in well into late October, so after plenty of paddling, chilling, chatting, swimming and a bit of eating we head back to base.
We have a pool, so after watching a DVD about the kayak roll, its time to take the plunge! It’s the rolling clinic! The aim is to get you rolling by the end of the week!
Tuesday / Mardi
Today we develop your moving water and river reading skills on the Chassezac! The section we do is 7 km, so it's not too taxing; there are plenty of things to learn along the way. And it really is beautiful. If you are a more intermediate group we can paddle a longer section.
In the evening we will give you feedback from today’s session and show you how to pack your barrels. Yes, tomorrow evening you will be staying out on bivouac! Of course this is an option! You may prefer the comfort of your room to a night under the stars!
Wednesday / Mercredi
Today we do the Ardeche descent starting from Salavas at the top of the gorge!
All of your sleeping kit will go down in the open boat or be taken down to the bivouac site depending on the time of year.
We have plenty of time to stop and play and work on your moving water skills along the way, even try out some rescue techniques and river safety.
After 16 km we arrive at the bivouac site, its just stunning here, and out of season very quiet.
The only disturbance will be from the wild boar! They are actually pretty timid, and don't make as much noise as Phil snoring!
After a magnificent barbeque, we settle down and get comfortable, I may get to tell you about the time I had to sleep in a Wendy house in Canada! And Phil may recount how his beloved dog Charger ate the seats in his Renault 16! Before you know it we are out like lights!
Thursday / Jeudi
'Hot chocolate' is the cry to wake you - with croissants of course!
After breakfast, it's back on the river.
More of this beautiful gorge and stunning crystal clear river winding its way down to our destination of Saint Martin. Along the way we take lunch on the rivers edge.
Once arrived and back in our dry kit we can either go and get some food at one of several great restaurants there, or just settle for an ice cream or a beer and hang on until we get back to site.
Friday / Vendredi
This is your last day, and there is so much to do and see in this area we thought it would be better for you to decide.
There are definitely more rivers, and if the water levels are good, then it’s a perfect time to learn some play boat moves down at the local wave!
There are also high ropes, climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, and of course walking! All of these can be arranged and we will let you know any cost well in advance.
The final night you may want to spend at the local restaurant. Maybe you would like to party on until the early hours dressed as a pantomime horse!
Each to their own.
Saturday / Samedi
Its time for home and after breakfast we will bid you farewell, that’s if we don’t have to drop you at the Airport and in that case we will bid you farewell there too!
We do offer BCU star awards to those interested |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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Choice of B&B in Large French farm house in Lablachere or Chalet accommodation on a 3 star fully equipped site in Planzolles. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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We have provided a little
section of extra travel needs that you may need
and to make life easier for our customers. We aim
to provide all the extras you would need; flights,
hotels, insurance, car hire and airport parking.
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