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Rafting Pyrenees

The descent into rafting is the white water activity user-friendly and accessible par excellence!

All summer from Lestelle-Bétharram in the Pyrenees, rafting is an opportunity to discover the Gave de Paua reputedly quiet descent which, however, has a few passages with small rapids.

This is not Colorado, but you will be immersed in a green bower with a water to the notes emerald and turquoise ! It is rafting the most playful du gave de Pau for families with children aged 7 and over, as well as for anyone who wants to discover the area in a safe and fun way.

In springfrom Buzy or Larunswe offer you on the Gave d'Ossau or the Gave d'Oloron one of the wildest whitewater runs in the French Pyrenees! It's a sports routeThis is the perfect place for thrill-seekers. It is at the spring that paddling enthusiasts meet up to make the most of the rapids on the Gave d'Ossau in the Pyrenees Atlantic!

In spring or summer, come and enjoy an unforgettable experience on a rafting trip with guides Vincent and Loïc from the Aventure Chlorophylle team - one of the friendliest mountain sports activities around.

White-water rafting in the Pyrenees:

Rafting is an inflatable boat with 5 to 10 seats, steered by an instructor, this boat is the most stable to easily cross the the craziest rapids !

Rafting is ideal for rivers with heavy flow in spring and for families with children aged 7 and over and groups of friends in summer. Your rafting guide will teach the basics of navigation in the Pyrenees. Visit rafting trips are also a privileged way to discover this natural aquatic environment the river in complete safety with the help of your enthusiastic instructor. Water battle, jumps and swimming will also be on the programme! A refreshing moment of conviviality in the heart of the Pyrenees.

For learn to steer their own boat from 12 years oldIf you wish, we can provide you with a kayak-raft or a mini-raft, a smaller inflatable boat with 2 to 5 places.

With the sound advice and safety instructions from your rafting instructorIt's up to you to make your way through the waves and choose the right trajectory. These small boats are less stable than rafts, but much more mobile After some hesitation, you will be able to master the glide very quickly!

Among white-water activities, rafting offers the most suitable routes for outings with family, friends, colleagues or for EVG/EVJFs.

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History of rafting

The origins of rafting very often dates back to 1950, on the river Colorado. However, it seems that in reality, in 1842 Lieutenant John Fremont led an expedition on a tributary of the Missouri. For this adventure, Fremont and his sidekick built the first rubber raft, laying the foundations for what was to become modern rafting...

Rafting was often used as a military craft to transport men and equipment across rivers.

In 1940, the Salmon River became one of the first to offer guided rafting trips through American whitewater. The first enthusiasts used surplus military rafts to tackle the rough waters.

During the 1972 Munich Olympic GamesKayaking put whitewater rafting on the map by becoming an official sport and being presented for the first time.

Since then, the equipment used for rafting has continued to evolve, and this activity continues to fascinate the public. lovers of adventure and thrills around the world.

Definition of rafting

Rafting is an English term which comes from to raft.

Rafting is one of the most popular white-water activities in the mountains, alongside canyoning and hydrospeed.

Rafting is a leisure activity which consists of go to parts of turbulent rivers in a inflatable boat It can be paddled by several people or rowed by a single person. The routes on offer are more or less challenging depending on the time of year, spring or summer, because of the melting snow.

Less technical than kayaking, rafting more often attracts holidaymakers in the mountainsincluding families with young childrens, the groups of friends but also lovers of rapids and wild nature. Canoeing is practised in relatively calm water, on a river or wide stream for example. Rafting is sportier, with more thrills on the water, particularly when crossing natural obstacles and rapids in the river. However, you don't need to be an experienced canoeist to go rafting.

There are two types of rafting boat:

- the raft 8 to 10-seater boat, very stable and able to cross rapids inaccessible to other boats (often suitable for families or colleagues for a friendly get-together).

- the mini-raft or hot dog from 3 to 5 places, which allows slightly more sporty descents but does not require any experience.