Whitewater sports for youth holiday centres and supervised groups
Rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, paddleboarding on the lake — Oueds & Rios has been running youth groups on the Ubaye for several decades, in partnership with youth services, holiday centres, social centres, green classes and adapted sports organisations. Bespoke, excluding accommodation and meals.
Intro course — 2 guided activities
The intro course includes two supervised activities led by our guides, scheduled over one or two calendar days depending on group size. Accommodation and meals are not included — the activities programme is managed end to end by Oueds & Rios.
Depending on group size and lake availability, we can run parallel groups: some on the river (rafting, kayaking or hydrospeed), others on Lac du Lauzet (paddleboarding, hire or supervised). Ideal for large groups or packed-programme days.
Build-your-own course
You design your programme from our activities — river and lake — over as many days as you like. We put together a quote based on your group size, age brackets and number of sessions required.
This format suits self-managed stays and mini-residencies on an external accommodation basis alike. We can point you towards partners for complementary activities — mountains, via ferrata, hiking, mountain biking — and offer you the preferential rates we have negotiated with them.
In spring, we combine whitewater days on the Ubaye with mountain outings (fauna & flora hikes, astronomy, mountain biking). One of the clearest skies in Europe, two hours from the sea. On request, subject to programme.
Oueds & Rios rates
The rates below apply per activity and per child. You know exactly what you are paying, activity by activity.
🚣 Whitewater activities — rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed
🏄 Paddleboarding on Lac du Lauzet
Open access to the lake, subject to availability.
1 accompanying adult free for every 6 paying children (whitewater activities and guided paddleboarding). Beyond this, the adult rate applies.
Outdoor activities in the Ubaye valley
In addition to our whitewater activities, we can include partner services in your programme. Preferential rates for ACM groups are negotiated directly by Oueds & Rios — specify this in your quote request and we will let you know the applicable terms.
In addition to our whitewater activities, we can include partner services in your programme. Preferential rates for ACM groups are negotiated directly by Oueds & Rios — specify this in your quote request.
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Hike2River
- Packraft — solo inflatable boat navigation on river or lake.
- Aqua-rando — Saint-Antoine gorge, swimming and natural slides, from age 11-12.
- Rock climbing — introduction and progression on natural rock faces with rope, qualified instruction.
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Other activities in the valley (self-guided or supervised)
- Hiking
- Via ferrata
- Mountain biking and cycling (including e-bikes)
- Paragliding
- Horse riding and equestrian trekking
- Canyoning — see our dedicated page on canyoning in the Ubaye
Adapted sports and accessibility
We welcome IME groups, adapted sports and disability sports groups on the Ubaye and nearby water areas. Supervision arrangements are assessed on a case-by-case basis with the group leader. For accommodation of people with reduced mobility, we work in partnership with Résidence Hacienda in Barcelonnette, which specialises in accessible facilities. Contact us to find out more.
Accommodation
As Oueds & Rios is not a licensed travel agency, we are unable to arrange accommodation for your stay. Here are some local facilities suited to youth group accommodation.
Le Lauzet-Ubaye — 04340
J&S approved — Group camping, a stone's throw from Lac du Lauzet.
Visit the campsite →Barcelonnette — 04400
J&S approved — 115 beds, sports residential courses and discovery classes.
Visit the centre →La Bréole — gateway to the Ubaye
J&S approved, Cap France network — Groups and green classes, easy access with no mountain switchbacks.
Visit the village →Seyne-les-Alpes — 04140
J&S approved — Residential stays for ages 6–16, dormitories and activity rooms.
Visit the centre →Build your programme
Tell us your group size, age brackets, number of days and planned activities. We'll get back to you with a detailed quote, activity by activity — and preferential partner rates if you've ticked any.
