Are you originally from Serre-Ponçon?
I'm originally from Paris and discovered Lac de Serre-Ponçon in 1963 during my 3rd year at college, when I wrote a report on the dam and the newly-built lake.
Why did you choose Serre-Ponçon as the location for your business?
I originally discovered the destination as a sailing and kayaking instructor in 1965, before becoming director of the nautical center I worked for. I then joined the federation as a technical advisor. Initially, I worked at national level, then moved to Embrun in 1983. I lived in Embrun but worked in Paris, so the night train enabled me to combine an ideal living environment with a job in the capital. Later on, my missions focused more on structuring the activity and development of rivers in the Southern Alps.
What are the different white-water activities available in Serre-Ponçon?
First and foremost, white-water sports democratized with rafting in the 1980s, then expanded in the 1990s. It's fair to say that there are two quite distinct activities: group fun (rafting and white-water swimming), and individual sport (mainly kayaking). Nevertheless, the destination is still on the agenda of every club in France for discovering whitewater in its purest form.
What are the different types of river in Serre-Ponçon? And how do they differ?
The Durance is the most emblematic. It is one of the few rivers in France to offer such a high flow rate, with free practice and no dams, from Argentière to Serre-Ponçon, which is exceptional in France today. Fed by the glaciers of the Écrins in summer, it always has a favorable water level. The most emblematic part of the Durance is located between Châteauroux-les-Alpes and Embrun.
Another tributary of Serre-Ponçon, the Ubaye, is a mythical river and a place of pilgrimage for kayak enthusiasts. It is described as a wild river. Its 50 km route offers every possible difficulty: the equivalent of ski slope levels from green to black.
What is the Rabiou wave?
The is what is known in whitewater circles as a "rapid". A rapid is a stretch of river that offers more slope, speed and water movement. The Rabiou wave is one such rapid, which can be "surfed" depending on the season. This rapid on the Durance is created by its tributary, the Rabiou, which carries water and rocks, resulting in a steeper gradient and a more turbulent river. Today, this course offers a full range of whitewater activities. Historically, it was kayaking and canoeing (the Durance was descended in its entirety in 1936 - from Briançon to Manosque - by people arriving by train from Paris!)
On the Durance river, this mythical whitewater sports site has become an internationally renowned freestyle mecca. Flagship event: every year in early June, a historic re-enactment of the Radeliers de la Durance.
What are the compulsory requirements for whitewater activities? Age, physical condition...
It all depends on what you're doing. Not being afraid of the water and knowing how to swim are essential for rafting. On the other hand, for more "serious" activities, technique and dexterity are required, and these will depend on the experience you've acquired, usually in a club.
For beginners (with or without children), is there a more suitable river? And for thrill-seekers?
The Durance for discovery, the Ubaye or the Guil for thrills. This is true if we refer to the summer season, because in spring (which corresponds to snowmelt and high water), it is not advisable to practice river sports with young children. Supervision is strongly recommended.
The equipment is supplied by the professionals, but what is the right outfit for each type of practice?
Bathing suit, closed shoes that can get wet, "glasses clip". We strongly advise against going barefoot or in open shoes (flip-flops).
Do you have any special memories of the river?
In 1966, my first white-water "esquimautage" in the Durance between Châteauroux and Embrun (Cf: esquimautage: refers to the operation of righting an overturned kayak).
