Water Sports Holiday in the Alps

We can help you arrange your travel to get to Gap which is accessible from the major public transport hubs such as Marseille or Grenoble or you can book a direct transfer from the airport if you prefer as an optional extra.

We will also recommend good restaurants for you to eat out in on your first night and can book you in so you can look forward to a delicious meal in the sunny town of Gap on arrival!

Your driver and tour guide for the day will collect you from your hotel and take you to Tallard, a medieval village with its own chateau and aerodrome! This is where the river kayaking finishes so depending on what time you finish you may have time to explore at the end of the day. 

You will get kitted up and organise your belongings for the day here. You will have a dry bag or waterproof container provided for your trip where you can put picnics, water and spare clothes. Then you will be taken up to the top of the river where you will be dropped off with your one or two person kayak to start your adventure! 

The river is a grade 2 river so gently flowing with some small rapids, so perfect for beginners in sit on top kayaks and still good fun for kayakers with more experience. You navigate your way down the river at your own pace. You will pass through spectacular wild scenery and there are opportunities to get out for a stop and a swim and your picnic lunch. If you are a wildlife lover, look out for signs of beavers and look up to spot the golden eagles! 

About half way down, there are three small lakes that you can visit for a swim and there is also a snack bar here if you fancy an ice cream!

The trip is 15km long and takes about 3 hours in total if you paddle it in one go, but of course you can spread this out with stops, a picnic and swims to make a day of it.  The only rule is that you have to get the boats back by 18h. If you have arranged with your guide to visit the village, chateau or aerodrome, then you may can organise an earlier finish time to fit this in.

For more information about the river kayaking please read our river kayaking info page.

Important Info:

The minimum age for river kayaking is 7 and all children under 12 must share a boat with an adult. All participants must be able to swim.  You are self guided for this trip and must take a mobile phone with you in case of any problems. There are well marked safety points all the way down the river to help identify where you are if you need to call for assistance. helmets and lifejackets are provided.

What to Wear and What to Bring:

Bring suncream, sunglasses, sunhat, spare clothes, towel. Bring water and a picnic as you will be out for the day.

Wear, swimsuit and t-shirt to protect your shoulders from the sun. Wear your wet trainers for feet. 

Optional Extras:

In Tallard there is an aerodrome, it is one of the best in the world for gliders, light aircraft and skydiving and it is possible to organise an indoor skydive experience in a wind-tunnel (extra cost) for the end of the day or a tour of the aerodrome or the chateau so please ask us about this when you book and we can add this on.

Water Skiing and Morning at the Lake:

Your driver and tour guide will collect you in the morning and take you to the magnificent turquoise waters of the Serre Poncon Lake where you will experience a 15 minute go at waterskiing. If you are a total beginner you will learn how to stand up on your skis and whizz along the lake. Waterskiers with more experience can have some fun twisting and turning against the stunning mountain backdrop!

For more detailed information about waterskiing, please read our waterskiing information page.

After water skiing you can spend the morning chilling at the lake, swimming and sunbathing. 

If you have opted for a picnic you can eat this here or buy something from the snack bar.

Canyoning:

After your picnic at the lake, your guide will take you to meet your canyoning guide.

Canyoning is a thrilling experience, abseiling, jumping and sliding down the natural waterfalls and drops down a mountain canyon. Expect lots of laughs, an adrenalin rush or two and enjoy the fun!

For more information about canyoning, have a look at our canyoning information page.

Your guide will take you back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Important Info: 

The minimum age for water skiing is 7 and you must be able to swim. For canyoning, groups with children under 10 will do the kiddie canyon which is perfect for smaller canyons and still a great laugh with some challenges for parents and older siblings! For groups with children over ten you will do the Rabou, Fournel  or Rouanette canyon depending on conditions.

What to Wear and What to Bring:

For water skiing, you just need to wear your swimwear and will be kitted out in a wetsuit and lifejacket. 

For canyoning you need to wear swimwear and trainers that can get wet. 

Bring water, a picnic and snacks for the day. There is an opportunity to buy a snack at the lake or you can buy a picnic to take with you for the day from a local baker en route. Just ask your tour guide. 

Optional Extras:

At the lake there is a water obstacle course and kayaks and stand up paddles available to hire (for an extra supplement)

Stand Up Paddle:

Your guide will take you to a different part of the lake today for a guided tour paddle boarding on a stand up paddle board. Your instructor will teach you how to stand up and paddle so you feel stable and secure on your board. Then he will take you for to explore the secret coves and creeks of this magnificent lake!

For more information about paddle boarding, please read our stand up paddle information page

You will be able to picnic at the beach when you return from paddle boarding before heading off to rafting!

Rafting:

This is a fabulous fun ride down the roller coaster rapids of an Alpine river. Your guide stays in the raft with you and directs you how to paddle to navigate the rapids and stoppers and have fun bouncing down the water!

For more information about rafting, have a read of our rafting information page.

Important Info: 

The minimum age for both these activities is 7 and you must be able to swim. 

What to Wear and What to Bring:

For paddle boarding just need to wear your swimwear and will be kitted out with a lifejacket. 

For rafting you need to wear swimwear and trainers that can get wet. 

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat, towel, spare clothes, water, a picnic and snacks for the day.  

This is a full on plunge into the various water sports on offer in the mountains. Lots of fun in the water under the hot sun of the Southern French Alps!

You will be collected from your hotel each morning by your driver and tour guide for your trip and taken to each activity. Where your activities don't take up the whole morning or afternoon, there are sometimes opportunities to fit in extra activities or sightseeing opportunities. Your guide will talk to you about these during the trip and will be able to book you in or include sightseeing opportunities where possible.

The guide will drop you back at your hotel each evening at around 18h and will give you tips on where to eat or go out in the evening. S/he can also book restaurants on your behalf.

Practical Info:

You need to make sure you have the right clothing, refreshments and picnics with you for each day. 

For clothing, this is usually swimwear, towels, spare clothes and wet trainers. The trainers need to be proper trainers with grip on the soles, closed toes and some padding on the foot to protect you from the rocks. Neoprene shoes are not sufficient. An old pair of running trainers are perfect. Wet suits are not necessary but possible to hire if you prefer.

For lunches, there will sometimes be places to buy lunch or you will need to take a picnic - see specific day in itinerary. For picnics, you can buy these en route to the various activities at bakeries or get stuff in Gap and make up your own.

This is the sad day you say goodbye but we hope you have had lots of fun and will be going home with a big smile and lots of memories! If you need help organising your journey please just ask!