Description:
The Ardeche Adventures Kayak School 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! We also have a modest paddle shop if you want to purchase any kit. If you want to bring your own boats that's cool too!

Our packages run from early September all the way through to the mid May. This is 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! It really is the most wonderful sensation to have the rivers to ourselves, with the beauty of the gorge and the fresh clear water. You also have the advantage of cheaper off-season travel. This really is the ideal time for paddlers!

We are offering a package of six nights accommodation full board with home cooked
meals,(local wine included),all Kayaking equipment and instruction plus transfers from Nimes (Ryanair from Luton), Marseille (Easyjet from Dublin) or Avignon (TGV, via Eurostar).
We are running the kayak school from Sunday pick up to Saturday drop off.
We also can supply other activities that give you a break from the river if you wish, high ropes, abseiling and climbing as well as mountain biking are all offered with a supplement to cover the costs.

2. ITINERARY
Sunday - 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 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, but the pick up comes at no extra cost.
Once we arrive at Tammy's B&B you can get settled into your rooms. There are four large bedrooms that can accommodate eight in all, but there is always camping in their private site if you fancy the fresh air. There is also a large dining area with a huge oak table and log burning stove, and a separate lounge with a fire and a large telly, especially for watching those paddling DVD's! Or a slushy movie if you like, Phil has lots! Once you have made yourselves comfortable, we will settle down to a traditional Sunday roast.

We hope that your week with us will be an experience and a chance to meet new people - it may be that you all know one another or that this is the first time you have met. So, after an evening's familiarization and perhaps a little wine tasting, we will see you in the morning.

Monday - Morning comes with sunshine we hope! That is pretty much the case here in the Cevenne Mountains, rarely will a grey day last and when it does rain the rivers go up, so not too bad eh!
The first day we will get you kitted out with a boat that you are comfortable with. Nothing too severe, unless you are a competent paddler, and want to choose for yourself, and that's fine. We really do have quite a collection!
The first morning is really one that helps us evaluate your level and needs, this will take place on a section of the Chassezac river.
Here we will go through all of your skills from the most basic task of getting in and out of your boat to evaluating your paddling style and efficiency.
For more confident paddlers there is a nice play spot to warm up on although I must say after a good rainfall this rapid is fantastic, with a deep hole and waves and ... well come and see for yourselves.
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.

Tuesday - Today we paddle 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 a river talk and show you how to pack your barrels. Yes, tomorrow evening you will be staying out on bivi! Of course this is an option! You may prefer the comfort of your room to a night under the stars!

Wednesday - 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 bivi 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 litre of red wine!
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 - 'Hot chocolate' is the cry to wake you - with croissants of course! Up to a great breakfast, and then 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.
When we arrive there and get into some 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 - 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 what you would like to do. There are definitely more rivers, but 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. Well 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 - Its time for home and after breakfast we will bid you farewell after taking you to your airport or
station.

3. COSTS
Email now for the best deals- ardecheadventures@yahoo.co.uk

4. DATES
April 2007 - Sun 22nd to sat 28th
May 2007 - Sun 6th to sat 12th
September 2007 - Sun 16th to Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd to Sat 29th
October 2007 - Sun 7th to Sat 13th - Sun 21st to Sat 27th

If you are interested in dates outside of these please contact us, I am sure we can
accommodate you