I tried rafting in Savoie

July 31, 2024

Today, I'd like to invite you to experience the thrill of rafting down the Isère river 🌊.

“Rafting is a unique experience. You feel every movement of the river, as if you were sitting directly on the water. It’s a thrilling sensation“. – Emma Miton from Évolution 2

Sometimes placid, sometimes raging, the river remains a wild element which we can never take for granted. Although I watch athletes tackle the rapids with admiration, my favourite water sport is pedal-boating. But, as Jean-Claude Van Damme once said: ‘In 20 or 30 years’ time, there won’t be any water left. And since I love water too, I decided not to waste any more time and set off to discover the local rivers on a big inflatable buoy (sorry, did you say rafting?).

Water-based activities in Méribel 🚣🏻

J – 1 : Mountain activities in summer: how to prepare for a rafting session?

Tomorrow, I’m going rafting in the Savoie ! 💪🏽

Évolution 2 sent me an e-mail with all the information I needed: meet me at the base camp at Landry, on the banks of the Isère. I’ll be taking a group of 8 down one of the most beautiful rafting courses in France, a 2h15 adventure through impressive gorges and exhilarating rapids.

The only instructions? Bring a swimming costume, a towel and a smile!

Rafting near Moutiers: a warm welcome at the Landry base

On the big day, Hugo, the photographer, and I made our way to the base at Landry. We were instantly put at ease by the warm welcome. With its bar-restaurant and terraces, it’s a very friendly place, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the summer atmosphere in a green setting. The centre offers other activities such as hydrospeed, cycling, scootering, paintball, stand-up paddle and multi-activity challenges.

What equipment is needed for rafting?

At 2pm, I join my adventure partners and our very friendly instructor, Mario, for the hand-out of our equipment.

🔥 The result: it’s glorious weather, but what do we do, we wrap ourselves head to toe in neoprene, with helmets on our heads.

In fact, this equipment – overalls, neoprene waistcoat and booties, lifejacket, helmet and paddle – is essential and forms part of the personal protective equipment that guarantees our safety. And after a quick shower to freshen up, it’s easy to get used to 😎 !

How does a rafting session go?

We merrily make our way to our 9-person boat, where Mario carefully checks the equipment of each participant. He then gives us a detailed technical briefing, with all the essential information: paddling techniques, safety positions and appropriate reactions to the different situations we might encounter on the river.

Once the briefing is over, we choose our seats and take the raft down to the river. Today, the current is strong and the flow of water will be powerful. The river may be wild, but we’re in good hands.

Rafting down the Isère: it’s all about teamwork and trust

That’s it, we’re off! We won’t be alone on the river: several rafts are leaving simultaneously, ensuring that the guides can keep an eye on each other and help each other out if need be. Mario places the boat on the river, and then we make ourselves comfortable. We, the crew sit on the edge of the raft, in pairs, one behind the other. The instructor is at the back of the boat, directing and leading the descent.

Mario tests us before things get too hot… The orders are simple: ‘forward’ to paddle forward, ‘backward’ for the opposite direction, ‘stop’ to stop everything, and the favourite, ‘BANZAÏ!’, for everyone to sit down in the boat in a safe position. We were complete strangers 10 minutes ago, but we’re now moving forward in rhythm, with the impression of being a tightly-knit team of jolly fellows, ready for a great adventure.

Everything is taking place under our feet. You feel like you’re on cloud nine. You can feel the movement of the water, a sensation that’s both pleasurable and astonishing. When the boat hits a wave, the water rises up in front of us, creating an impressive spectacle. I can’t help but burst out laughing at the expressions of amazement on the faces of the two burly lads in the front row, who are being showered by the splashing water 🌊 .

Passionate about his job, Mario cheerfully leads the activity, sharing interesting anecdotes about the river and the flora and fauna of the Isère. Between paddle strokes, we enjoy the breathtaking scenery of mountains and forests. The river brings us together and reminds us of the beauty and power of nature.

Finally, we get to the nitty-gritty of the river. The instructor names the rapids and waves we’re about to face: ‘the ham slicer’, ‘ the mouth of the Isa’, ‘the 400 metres’, ‘the sheep’, ‘the dining room’ and ‘the dessert’. This is where the fun really starts 🥵.

Going through the rapids makes you feel alive and free. It’s a real adrenalin rush. We’re bouncing all over the place, and it has to be said that we’re not always in rhythm. But even if it means paddling into the void, we mustn’t stop.

Mario makes a few feints: “Oh, no, I think we’re heading for a rock here 😱. ” So we row at full speed, all jumping into the middle of the boat in a safe position. It’s a mikado of legs and paddles in the air. We hit the rock between stress and laughter. The idea may seem far-fetched, but the guide knows what he’s doing: the boat bounces off the rock, and we end up in the right direction of the current. The effect is effective!

Halfway along the route, we cross the Canyon du Jovet. We admired the vertical cliffs and spotted majestic eagles’ nests. It’s the perfect opportunity to stop and try a jump of almost 5 metres for those who want to.

We then set off again to tackle the Centron rapids, where some impressive waves await us. This stage marks a more challenging end to this superb white-water descent..

End of the adventure ⚓

Arrival at Centron

The three rafters’ boats (😏) arrive at the end of the route, in Centron. We climb out of the boats, grinning from ear to ear. A shuttle bus picked us up to take us back to the base.

The adventure was fun and exciting, we feel like kids again. Rafting is a fantastic activity for creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. It’s the perfect opportunity to admire the beauty of the Savoyard landscape while regaining a sense of carefree joy.

I’m deeply grateful to Évolution 2 for giving me the opportunity to discover this sport. Rafting is an ice-breaker: you laugh out loud, you feel wonderfully ridiculous and you love it. It’s a superb collective experience, accessible to all, full of thrills, and I highly recommend it for a summer holiday in a mountain resort.

Water-based activities in Méribel💦 Summer activities in Méribel ☀️

Interview with Emma Miton

Meet a young woman who is as passionate as she is enthusiastic.

A native of the region, Emma is a keen outdoor sportswoman. She started out as a kayak competitor, before obtaining a diploma to supervise rafting activities. Today, she’s marketing manager at Évolution 2’s Peisey-Vallandry centre.

What do you like about rafting?

Emma: I love the conviviality that this sport generates. It’s an ideal activity to share with family and friends. Everyone plays an active part in setting the pace for the boat: the more the group paddles together, the faster we go! You can let yourself be carried along and you’re always surprised by the water’s movements, which makes the experience a lot of fun. Above all, each descent is unique: the river is constantly changing, as is our experience of it.

Who can go rafting? Are there any particular prerequisites?

Emma: You need to be able to swim. We adapt the courses to suit the age, skill level and preferences of the participants. The length and intensity of the courses also vary according to the participants’ wishes and the time available during their stay. On the Doron de Bozel, children can start from the age of eight, while on the Isère, we have courses adapted from the age of six. We also welcome people with physical or mental disabilities. In collaboration with a local centre, we organise specific activities every fortnight for these people during their stay. This initiative is particularly important to us and we repeat it every year.

Emma Miton, Marketing and Communications Manager at Evolution 2

Rafting is often regarded as an extreme sport. How do you ensure the safety of rafters?

Emma: The safety of our participants is our absolute priority. Each boat is accompanied by an experienced, trained and state-certified guide, trained to a high level to handle any situation. What’s more, our trips are always made in groups, with several boats at the same time. This means that the guides can keep an eye on each other and help each other out if necessary. We offer a variety of routes for different age and physical aptitudes and we’re also on hand to advise you on the course best suited to your experience and preferences.

Why raft in Savoie?

Emma: Here, we’re lucky enough to be in a region where there’s still a lot of water and therefore good water levels. We have two beautiful Alpine rivers that offer different experiences: the Doron and the Isère. The Isère is regulated by the Montrigon dam, and above it the Tignes dam, which guarantees a constant flow for rafting. This means you can enjoy sporting outings at different levels of intensity, depending on your experience and preferences. What’s more, every two years Haute-Isère hosts the French canoe-kayak championships, including downhill slalom events. Proof, if needed of the quality of the white water possibilities of this river!

What advice would you give to people who want to try rafting?

Emma: Ask for advice. Talk to specialist organisations to find out what suits you best and your level. Don’t be afraid to talk about your fears so that you can be reassured and know what is and isn’t feasible. If an adult wants to take it easy, enjoy the scenery and go at their own pace, there’s no shame in choosing a rafting trip that’s recommended for children. We adapt the routes to suit you, so you can progress at your own pace… and in good spirits!

Crédits :

Written by Ophélie Zayonnet.

Pictures by Hugo Vicaire.