White water, deep canyons
White water, deep canyons
Rafting and canyoning in Zell am See-Kaprun
What do we dream of in the summer heat? Of course, cooling off in the water! However, this time it's not just about jumping into Lake Zell. Instead, two tests of courage are on the agenda: rafting and canyoning. Would that be something for you too?
It's a very special holiday adventure: rafting along the Salzach or Saalach through foaming waves, mastering rapids in a team with your family or friends, or taking the big plunge into the depths while canyoning. We have taken a closer look at the experiences for action-hungry people.
An experience for the whole family
When it comes to outdoor and action sports, we immediately think of daredevil stunts and fit athletes who bravely throw themselves into any adventure - yet outdoor experiences like rafting and canyoning are possible for (almost) everyone.
Franz Oberlader from Adventure Service Outdoorsports also confirms that you don't have to be a competitive athlete with years of training. He has been running his outdoor company since 1990 and offers, among other things, rafting and canyoning tours in the Zell am See-Kaprun region. "The highly trained and qualified guides ensure that everything runs safely and that all participants have fun on the tour," he says.
Nevertheless, there are of course basic requirements: For rafting or canyoning, you have to be able to swim and basically be physically fit. White water experience is not necessary. For safety reasons, children must be at least ten years old (accompanied by an adult, unaccompanied from age 12).
Which tours are recommended?
Rafting and canyoning combine the experience in nature with action: The tours lead through unique wild and romantic landscapes. The classic rafting tour in Zell am See-Kaprun is an approximately twelve-kilometre-long tour on the Salzach of an intermediate level of difficulty. It is perfect for beginners, but also for experienced rafters. White water, high waves and rollers await you here.
They must be mastered by you and your team in the rafting boat. But don't worry: your rafting guide will lead you safely through all obstacles with the right commands and lots of experience.
If you don't have any rafting experience yet or want to start a first tour with children, the next tour, which is also of intermediate difficulty, is also a good tip: it takes you on the Saalach from Lofer for about ten kilometres, alternating between white-water passages and calm waters, and offers a good mix of action and aqua fun.
Preparation is everything!
Before getting into the robust rubber raft, all rafting tours require dry runs with the paddle to ensure smooth navigation and paddling later on. Then all participants are equipped with a neoprene suit, neoprene jacket, neoprene shoes, life jacket and helmet. Dressed like this, the first cool down is eagerly anticipated! And it won't take long: before the start, there is a white-water swim training session. And then the boat is waiting.
At the beginning, the water is still calm, but the trip soon becomes more exciting: the first white crests of foam are the harbingers that teamwork is now called for! Then it's time to trust the instructions of the guide, and sailing around boulders and overcoming large waves together. What an experience!
Canyoning in the gorge
With canyoning, too, it is the combination of sport, the experience in nature and the adrenaline kick that excites people of all ages. After all, you are crossing an impressive gorge on foot, by climbing or swimming! The guides from Adventure Service Outdoorsports prefer to be out and about in the 1.2-kilometre-long Almbach Gorge.
This picturesque gorge is located about an hour from Zell am See-Kaprun near Hallein and is ideal for families with children and canyoning novices, but also offers new challenges for passionate outdoor sports enthusiasts. Here you can look forward to rock climbing, water slides, small bays and daredevil jumps. The level of difficulty can be adjusted: If you want, you can jump into the water from a height of up to nine metres. If that is too adventurous for you, you can also abseil or try a smaller jump.
Here, too, the tour begins with a safety briefing by qualified guides, and you receive all the equipment (neoprene suit and jacket, helmet, canyoning harness & safety sling) on site.
ON THE BUCKET LIST: TRY IT OUT!
If you would now like to try canyoning or rafting in a small group, Franz Oberlader and his team of qualified guides from Adventure Service Outdoorsports will be happy to accompany you.
WE WISH YOU LOTS OF FUN!
