No task!
"Today Matthew, we will go rafting".
An activity combining adventure, sport and team spirit, using a sturdy inflatable Zodiac and paddles to ride the white water rapids of the Soça river. As the weather is "damp", why not get damper!
Joining an group from the UK on an adventure tour of Slovenia, rendezvous at Evasion Action in Kobarid to meet our team leader, Kevin, a burly 20yr old Slov. mountain guide with thighs the size of my waist!
Kitted out with helmet, wetsuit, boots, lifejacket and windproof water jacket, we were briefed on what and what not to do: loop your feet under the foot straps in the boat, don't stick your arms out, and if you get tossed overboard, don't swim! A sound and informative briefing. I like it!
For all you "boffs" out there who aren't remotely interested in paragliding, a brief history of the Soca river: Running 138kms
from North Eastern Italy and through the Western Slovenia Julien Alps, along
some of the most beautiful and unspoilt surroundings of Eastern Europe. Born in
the Trenta valley with an elevation of 2,874ft it spews on average some 172m3
of water per second before joining the Adriatic Sea near Monfalcone, Italy. It
is a must-see for all mountain lovers and fishermen. Home to fresh trout to die
for in abundance and water so pure you can cup your hands to drink along the
banks at any point, it is topped up all year round by snow melt, fresh water
springs and abundant rainfall. Pantone shades of opal green and turquoise
ricochet off the limestone in all weather conditions creating a jewelled snake
meandering through the valley, whose beauty can be seen from either riverbank ,
suspension bridge or from our paragliders. A true eye catcher for any nature
lover or photographer.
So, back to our rafting adventure. After
our briefing, we carried our boat to the water. Jumping in before the freezing water could soak its way through the wetsuit, we took to the rapids.
The first part of the course was a gentle introduction
of what was to come. Serenely floating downstream on a tame current, sampling some
mild rapids and boulder dodging, before the river narrowed, steepened and
picked up speed.
Stopping halfway to take in the scenery and lob ourself recklessly off some boulders (I didn't, being the sensible type), I silently
chuckled as I watched their brain-freezed faces reappearing from the icy water. Glutton for punishment if you as me. "Hmaaah hmaah…they must be british!"
From this point on, our decent was fast and
furious. No rest for the wicked. The water slapped and curled up the side of the zodiac, tossing us one
way and another. Our feet wedged under the ropes on the floor of the boat
ensuring that we stayed in, rather out we paddled to keep as straight a heading as possible. Only just hearing Slov Kev's hoarse voice above the roar of the rapids, "Forward…. Backward….STOP….!"
We continued to rumble through
rapids and bounce off boulders for a further 3 miles before slowing into a shallow beach just under the Kobarid suspension bridge. It was exhilarating to say the least.
Hauling the boat onto the shore, we all looked further down the river which
continued its snaking path, before disappearing round the corner towards Devil’s Drop.
“We don’t paddle down there”, said Kevin
with a knowing smile. “Some professionals come here, but most of them will only
go one time ….” Thank you, for that, Kevin, and a special thanks to nature,
for conveniently designing the inlet before we all descended into hell!
Rafting: not for the faint hearted due to the freezing cold water.
Recommendations: Gentlemen, I'd leave the Speedo's at home!
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