Come and experience leisure activities that are off the beaten track! We're telling you everything about canorafting in the Verdon, a water activity somewhere between canoeing and rafting, specially designed for rapids. This inflatable boat is exciting because it glides over the currents of white-water rivers. Shaped like a canoe and with the flexibility of a raft, this large pneumatic boat can take you onto the roughest rivers. Get ready for thrilling aquatic sensations!
The basics of canoraft
The Canorafting in the Verdon: the unusual water-based activity
One canoraft is a two-person inflatable craft with a single paddle to take you down the river. It is an activity that requires more physical effort and technical ability than canoeing. However, canorafting is a very accessible and fun activity for families. To try this river activity, you must have already done rafting or canoeing. A short training session is essential before getting into the canoraft equipped with wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets, this activity will give you a taste of a river rodeo. Big waves will tease and destabilise you. In a semi-autonomous setting, the instructor won't stray too far from your craft to advise you and ensure your safety. It's the chance to get a solo first-hand introduction to the basic techniques of whitewater navigation. For example, knowing how to stop, set off again, and navigate rapids and currents.
The differences between canoraft and canyoning?
Two very different activities
The canoraft and Canyoning are in fact two quite different activities.
In canoraft, as the name suggests, you navigate as a team on rafts. The idea is to use a canoe paddle to manoeuvre a craft on the water through various rapids. Canorafting and canyoning are not practised on the same waterways. The water flow and obstacles to negotiate determine whether a river is suitable for canorafting or canyoning. The obstacles to negotiate are waves, rocks, pebbles or rapids with small waterfalls.
In summary, canoraft is practised on fast rivers and canyoning is practised in steep mountain streams dotted with waterfalls, also known as canyons.
Furthermore, whitewater rafting and canyoning are different in terms of equipment, even though both must be practised with wetsuits.
- The white-water rafting equipment consists of a neoprene wetsuit and 2-3 mm thick neoprene socks to keep you warm when wet, special rafting buoyancy aids, standardised helmets for water sports, closed-toe active footwear and, of course, a simple canoe- or raft-style paddle.
- As for the basic canyoning equipment, it consists of a wetsuit, a helmet and thick socks (usually 5 mm). This not only protects you from the fresh water when navigating the canyons, but also protects you from contact with the rocks.
Thrills, but different!
Due to their differences, canorafting and canyoning do not offer the same thrills.
Canorafting is navigating a two-person inflatable boat through river currents, much like a kayak or canoe. The main sensations you will discover are gliding over the water and speed in the rapids. The feeling of gliding in a canoraft is very similar to the feeling of gliding on skis. Canorafting uses the power of the water's movement and the crew's paddle to glide the boat through the rapids. The steeper the slope and the higher the volume of water, the faster and slipperier it is. Canorafting also allows you to immerse yourself in a natural river environment with a unique and extraordinary atmosphere and scenery. A way to break out of the routine, dare to set off together in a canoraft.
As for canyoning, it is an expedition into the heart of a canyon. Some canyons are very playful, more or less punctuated by high jumps and slides. Other canyons are more technical and you can experience a sense of height when abseiling down the waterfall. Canyoning is a bit like rock climbing or via ferrata. You can immerse yourself in the aquatic environment and the rocks sculpted by it. Canyoning allows you to jump, slide and abseil while exploring rare and spectacular environments.
Why choose Rafting Verdon for your activity canoraft ?
Our expertise in our rivers and the natural environment of the Verdon Gorges allows you to enjoy discovering hidden and unspoilt places while combining safety and fun. All our guides are state-certified and will be delighted to accompany you on this aquatic adventure!
If you are looking to practise packrafting in the Verdon Whether with family or in a group, please do not hesitate to contact us: 04 92 83 76 11 [email protected].
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