Adventures on Water Whitewater Extreme Fly Fishing Family Watersports

White water experience in the Gorges du Verdon. © CDT VAR/WWW.WALLIS.FR

The French rate their white-water challenges from Classe I to Classe VI according to level of difficulty and excitement. The reach of the Verdon between Castellane and Point Sublime is rated Classe II (small rapids, simple waves) and Classe III (sport rapids, large waves), suitable for novices, younger children and anyone nervous about the sport.

Farther along, in the Grand Canyon stretch, the rapids range from Classe III to Classe V (sequences of very big rapids, close together, S-bends and significant drops). They’re suitable for rafters and kayakers who like a fair bit of bouncing around. Guides and tours for rafting, kayaking, canyoning and hot canoeing (inflatable craft, a cross between a canoe and a raft) operate out of Castellane, La Palud and Moustier Saint Marie. Costs vary but are about €60 for a full day. Generally, the same guide companies offer most of the boat- or craft-related sports and one or two of the other activities (canyoning, hiking, aqua trekking, which is like canyoning but without cliff climbs and usually includes some swimming). Some will even teach you white-water swimming (known in French as nage en eau vive) and hydrospeed, which involves putting on a helmet, life vest, protective suit and flippers, then riding the rapids on a craft that’s an unsinkable cross between a sled and a hydrofoil. It is a bit like water luge.

The best sources for guides and outfitters are the local tourist offices. Here are a few to start with:

• Les Guides du Verdon, Le Galetas 83630 Aiguines, ☎/fax 33 04 94 84 22 55, info@les-guides.net, www.les-guides.net. Rafting, kayaking, canyoning, escalade, hiking guides. They will also recommend local accommodation close to adventure sites.
• Action Adventure Rafting, Philippe Rufin, 12 Rue Nationale, Castellane, ☎/fax 33 04 92 83 79 39, accueil@action-aventure.com, www.action-aventure.com. Canyoning, rafting, hot canoe.
• Acti-Raft, Relais de l’Eau Vive, Route des Gorges du Verdon, Castellane, ☎ 33 04 92 83 76 64, fax 33 04 92 83 76 74, accueil@actiraft.com, www.actiraft.com. Rafting, canyoning, kayaking, hot canoeing and white-water swimming.
• Buena Vista Rafting, 31 Rue Nationale, 04120 Castellane, ☎/fax 33 04 92 83 77 98, info@buenavistarafting.com, www.buenavistarafting.com. Rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed, aqua trekking, hiking, mountain bike and climbing. They will also help you find local accommodation.