How does a day of rafting in Valle D'Aosta work?
A 'typical' rafting day
Whether it's your first time rafting or you're a 'seasoned river runner', here you'll find useful information and guidance on what a 'typical rafting day' looks like.
This allows you to better organise your adventure and possibly the day of those who accompany you but do not want to go rafting. See it step by step!!!
Step 1. Welcoming
The meeting point is at the base of Pré Saint Didier. From State Road 26 you will see a small wooden house with Tibetan flags: we are down there! Come down the little road, you will find all the staff ready to welcome you.
Once at the base, after registration, we will explain in detail how the day will unfold.
A little fear? No problem.
At the time of registration one is often a little nervous.
There are those who have already been rafting and 'know it all', those who are new and don't know exactly what to expect, those who are a little afraid and declare it or those who hide it.
Don't worry. We are afraid of those who are not afraid.
Although we live in the water every day, every time we go into the river we are focused and attentive, as if it were the first time.
It is simply respect for something that is bigger than us, Nature, which we do not challenge but which allows us to play and have fun, provided we respect its rules.
So don't worry! We understand exactly how you feel and will guide you step by step through this adventure.
Step 2. Theoretical Lesson (Briefing)
From now on your references become the guides, who after explaining the next steps of the activity will give a lesson on safety in the river: they will teach you how to sit on the raft, how to paddle, and at the end they will answer all your questions. This explanation, known as a briefing, lasts about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3. Dressing with safety equipment
You will be provided with nautical and safety equipment consisting of:
- neoprene socks (so no need to wear shoes from home!)
- a long john-type neoprene wetsuit
- a neoprene jacket
You will change in the changing rooms and then receive a helmet and a buoyancy aid (life jacket).
√ If you want, bring a technical shirt so as not to have neoprene directly on your skin
√ Wetsuits and footwear are thoroughly disinfected each time they are descended using hypoallergenic products.
√ We use only state-of-the-art and standardised equipment. Soft neoprene with high thermal protection. The jackets, wetsuits, socks fit all sizes for maximum comfort.
Step 4. Dry tests
Everything that was talked about during the theory lesson is then rehearsed in practice. Finally, each team is assigned its own guide, who will help you perfect your movements so that you are ready for the river.
√ Dress like this it's very hot, so hand the water hose and...
Step 5. Embarkation
The embarkation of the Fontine rapids is exactly from the base. We don't have to make any transfers by van, we simply put our raft in the water and off we go.
It is a very emotional moment where you have to be fully concentrated.
At the moment of departure, the guides call for silence, make you rehearse the various manoeuvres one last time, then they look at each other with their arms raised (the conventional signal for departure) and if all the dinghies are ready you finally set off.
The first rapid is called 'Good morning': fun and cool, we named it so because every morning we start the day with it. The strongest rafting in the Alps finally begins!
Step 6. The Descent
You choose the descent you prefer, it will always be a rafting blast.
- Express - to be together
- Fountains - short but intense
- Karma - Our flagship.
- Special - Bachelorette/Bachelorette Party
- Weekend - Rafting + accommodation
- Must - the off-piste of rafting.
Step 7. Landing
Upon disembarkation, our vans will wait for you and take you back to the base, where you can change and have a nice hot shower.
You can then see the photos taken by our super photographer, we will finally see who paddled in the river and who didn't! 😛
The Totem Adventure centre during the day
It is a place of total relaxation even for non-rafters.
√ You can sunbathe in the meadow by the river
√ Making your picnic
√ There is the BBQ area for barbecues
√ We are a 5-minute walk from the Pré Saint Didier Thermal Spa.
√ WiFi is available on request.
√ There are beautiful paths leading to thegorge of Pré Saint Didier and the adventure park. Ask for discount vouchers at Totem Adventure! For an all-round outdoor experience in the Aosta Valley!
The Totem Adventure centre in the evening
Celebrate your bachelorette/bachelorette party, birthday, graduation party with us...
If you want to party, you've found the right place!
At the end of the descent you change in the centre and have the chance to grill right next to the river!!!
Once the 'eating' is over in good company, the grills are moved and we all gather around a large bonfire. We are near the river so we don't disturb anyone.
There is music, dancing, chatting, laughing and joking always with the background music of the river... or if you want to be quieter, take a walk to the banks and you can listen to the music of the river... with the background of people partying around the fire.
In short, a unique celebration, in complete freedom, in nature.
The only rule that exists is that of respect for the environment and good manners 🙂 🙂
PS - Vegetarians are welcome. Grills do not necessarily have to be meat-based.
After reading this post, you might want to read "is rafting dangerous?"
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