Canoe-rafts
These are known as hot dogs, and inflatable kayaks or canoes, (and air boats in France), and it is the same principle. You can take these canoes out alone or with a partner, following the expert advice of your instructor.
Only your position in the boat and its shape change.
Equipment: wetsuit, wind stopper, life jacket and helmet.
Practical tip: take shoes (trainers) for walking in the water.
> Complete list of rafting companies
We have tested out canoe-rafts on the Durance for you!
August 2009 and there’s sun, blue skies and it’s 27ºC in the shade; the perfect day to take to the water.
The press relations officer from the Comité Départemental du Tourisme and a journalist from the newspaper La Provence took a trip on a canoe-raft with Oïe Oïe Oïe Rafting.
We arranged to meet Michel Bernard at the geological curiosity in the Guilletre region known as the Fontaine PĂ©trifiante de RĂ©otier.
We drove to the magnificent Vallée des Masques, where we were to board our boat.
Once we had unloaded the equipment, there was an hour-long briefing. Michel Bernard explained how to sit down in the boat, how to paddle, steer and stop. There were two of us in the boat while our guide paddled along in a kayak.
Throughout the trip he gave us tips and advice to help us to make our way down the river, boosting our confidence and our enjoyment levels.
The descent was supplemented with interesting information on the surrounding geological formations and peaks, and local traditions, etc…
This easy route was a stress-free introduction to canoe-rafting in a magnificent natural setting. The local paddling sports operators offer other river runs at the same level of difficulty as well as harder routes for braver and more seasoned adventurers.
