Are you originally from Serre-Ponçon?
I was born in Amiens, Picardy, the son of a passionate kayaker, and arrived at the age of 2 in Embrun, near the Durance, the true European capital of the discipline and white water. I grew up there watching my father's career in slalom canoeing, first at national level and then as coach to most of the alpine internationals from the late 80s to the present day. I myself perfected my canoeing through Father Besseau's instruction. I joined the French freestyle kayak team in 2006, was French champion for 5 consecutive years and multiple world medalist. Today, I'm a river guide by passion, alongside my real job: Director of an international sporting event: theOutdoormix Festival.
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Why did you choose Serre-Ponçon as the location for your business?
The question would be: how can you leave Serre-Ponçon when you've grown up here and led a life rich in outdoor activities? I traveled the world as a kayak explorer. My leitmotiv was to find the most beautiful river waves in the world. I found them, I surfed them and I discovered the environments, sometimes natural, sometimes urban, that shelter them. Let's face it, the world is full of super-fun places, where a piece of the disco ball will always shine brighter than anywhere else. I think what best sums up why Serre-Ponçon is all about the compromise between quality of life, quality of the elements (sun, lake, rivers, mountains, forests, wind) and the quality of the people who populate this valley. You'll certainly find bigger rivers elsewhere, or bigger lakes, or a more regular wind. But nowhere will you find so many different aspiring outdoor enthusiasts, including river enthusiasts, as here in Serre-Ponçon.
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What are the different whitewater activities available in Serre-Ponçon?
They are numerous and have been at the heart of our valley's tourism development since the 1980s: rafting, whitewater swimming, canoeing and kayaking. They can also be nascent or very discreet, such as aquatic hiking, river Stand Up Paddle or surfing on river waves like the Rabioux.
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What are the different types of river in Serre-Ponçon? And how do they differ?
The Durance 's tributaries, such as the Guil, Gyr, Onde and Ubaye, are more suited to experienced paddlers looking for wild, technical runs. The Durance between L'Argentière and Embrun lends itself perfectly to tourist and discovery activities (introduction to river kayaking, rafting tours, etc.). Finally, don't forget that Lac de Serre-Ponçon is the Durance! So we're sure you'll find plenty of opportunities for more leisurely, exploratory and challenging activities, such as sea kayaking, open (Indian) canoeing and stand-up paddling.
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What is the Rabioux wave?
A totem. The wave du Rabioux is a river wave that marks the entrance to Europe's busiest river course. It's a myth. It's a spot that enabled the first river kayak tricks (chandelles) in the '80s, and hosted the first major freestyle competitions in the late '90s and '00s, with the sport's biggest stars inspiring my generation. It's a beach on the Durance that witnessed my first bowls as a baby on a leash, my first defeats in kids freestyle, my first victories as a senior. It's the most vibrant place in the world for a high-altitude kayaker.
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What are the mandatory conditions for whitewater activities? Age, physical condition...
Depending on how close you are to the river, how adventurous you are and how fit you are, it can start as early as I did (4 years old) or as late as adulthood. As with all sports, the earlier you start, the more naturally you acquire the "feeling" or "sense of water" that leads to ease in all circumstances. In the case of rafting, knowing how to swim and being accompanied by an adult is sufficient from the age of 7.
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For beginners (with or without children), is there a more suitable river? And for thrill-seekers?
The Durance is clearly the river best suited to whitewater activities, whether you're looking for a beginner's introduction or a more leisurely approach. Then there's a whitewater gem that's not quite well known for my taste, but which is still technically accessible and, above all, offers a setting worthy of the grand canyon of Colorado: the Bas Guil, which runs along the foot of the Guillestre simoust plateau to flow into the Durance at Eygliers and its petrifying fountain. This is certainly the most incredible stretch of river for families in search of wild adventure.
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Do you have a special memory of the river?
I have a lot of them. My first baths, my winter training sessions on the purple water, sailing with my mentors, with my childhood friends, my first discussions in English, my first night runs ... but what will remain as the No. 1 most memorable moment of my life on the Durance is when, at 17, I was still a nobody in the freestyle scene and pulled off the biggest run of the competition ahead of the reigning European champion. That day, I revealed myself as the new French leader in front of a massive Embrunais crowd who were on fire at the water's edge, on the Rabioux wave in the night final, with a big techno sound and a wave lit up in multiple colors. It's the most beautiful memory of my sporting career. Since then, I've been sharing my passion for this valley by organizing theOutdoormix Festival which aims to restore the sporting territory of Serre-Ponçon to its former glory.
