River and Whitewater SUP Adventure

Develop your SUP skills in awe-inspiring locations, wild rivers and stunning lakes!

Navigate canyons and gorges to create a thrilling connection with nature.

Hike to hidden waterfalls, discovering secret swimming spots and more!

Paddle on the tranquil waters of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.

Explore Vipava Valley's wild and untouched beauty.

Take in the vibrant natural landscapes and crystal-clear, emerald waters of the Soca River.

This paddleboarding adventure is designed for improver and intermediate paddlers with prior SUP experience. Over the course of 5 days on the water, we’ll build your SUP skills amidst breathtaking landscapes.

We begin with serene flat water paddling on Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, progressing to mastering moving waters and navigating small rapids on the Vipava River, and culminates with exhilarating whitewater SUP on the Soca River's vibrant emerald green waters. nice and toasty in a drysuit.

Whitewater SUP is an exciting form of paddleboarding where enthusiasts navigate rivers with varying degrees of rapids. It combines the core principles of traditional paddle boarding with the challenges and thrills of whitewater rafting. Paddlers stand on their boards and use paddles to steer and propel themselves, tackling rapids, navigating through currents, and maintaining balance amidst the dynamic water conditions. This sport requires some skill, balance, and a keen sense of adventure, offering a unique way to experience the beauty and power of natural river environments!

This adventure serves as an ideal introduction to whitewater SUP, focusing on skill and confidence building on smaller rapids. Perfect balance isn't a requirement, but a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn are key. It's a chance to embrace the excitement of navigating river currents while enhancing your paddleboarding abilities in a supportive, skill-progressing environment.

You’ve taken a lesson from a qualified instructor and have learned SUP techniques.

• You’ve paddled at least 5 times, with at least 10 hours on a SUP.

• You’ve paddled at least 10 km in one go.

• You’re comfortable with standing on the board for several hours at a time.

• You can self-rescue and are comfortable with falling in the water.

• You’re able to swim 100 metres in open water

• You have a good-to-high fitness level and a positive attitude towards challenge

Canyoning is an adventurous activity combining hiking, swimming, climbing, and abseiling to navigate canyons and gorges, offering a thrilling connection with nature through unique geological formations.

On this holiday, we'll explore the Grmečica gorge, a natural playground of pools, waterfalls, and narrow passages. Led by expert guides, our  3-hour journey through the Grmečica gorge requires no previous experience. We’ll safely waterfall descents and leap into emerald pools, making for an exhilarating introduction to the world of canyoning.

When we're not on the water, we'll take the opportunity to explore the fantastic local hiking trails. These easy-going hikes will lead us to discover beautiful waterfalls and secret natural swimming pools for wild swimming, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the tranquil beauty of our surroundings.

Gutsy Girls we pride ourselves on creating fun, welcoming and supportive spaces for our guests to try new sports, challenge themselves with new wild experiences and to connect with new, like minded friends.

As well as excellent local SUP guides, we also send trained Gutsy Girl hosts on all of our trips to ensure you have all the support you’ll need for your adventure, and to make sure you have an unforgettable experience!

Your adventure begins at 9am in Ljubljana or with a pickup from the airport 10:40am for those taking the recommended flight. You can also meet us at Lake Bled for 11:30am. See our FAQ for all the travel logistics.

We’ll head to the picturesque Lake Bled, for a paddleboarding session.

Here, we'll focus on balance, SUP technique, and enjoy swimming in the clear waters, followed by a picnic lunch on the lake. We’ll then transfer to Ribcev Laz, our quaint base for two nights, nestled near the serene Lake Bohinj. The day concludes with dinner at our hotel, offering local delicacies in a cosy setting.

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll embark on a paddleboarding session on Lake Bohinj, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking Julian Alps backdrop. This session focuses on mastering advanced pivot turns and the J-stroke, essential techniques for whitewater SUP, with ample opportunities for swimming.

Post-lunch, the afternoon offers a choice between exploring Ribcev village, relaxing by the lake, or hiking to the stunning Savica Waterfall, one of Slovenia's largest and most picturesque falls.

After breakfast and hotel checkout, we embark on a canyoning adventure in Grmecica gorge, featuring abseiling, rock jumps, and swims in emerald pools.

Post-lunch, we'll take the car train to Vipava Valley, check into a unique farm stay, and enjoy an early evening visit to a local wine cellar for a culinary experience. Here, we'll meet the winemaker and delve into the region's winemaking traditions.

Today's journey on the Vipava River features a 13km downstream paddle. We'll tackle small rapids on our knees, enhancing our ability to read currents and build confidence in lively waters.

The trip includes opportunities for wild swimming and Tarzan swings. In the evening, we drive to Kobarid in the Soca Valley, where we'll enjoy dinner at a renowned local restaurant.

After breakfast, we're off to Bovec for our first white water SUP on the Soca River, coupled with a hike to see local waterfalls. We'll split into 2 small groups for personalised coaching from our highly experienced whitewater SUP instructor, starting with a hydrology and safety briefing.

The SUP session, lasting about 3 hours, includes a warm-up on calm waters before moving to rapids. Meanwhile, the other group will hike to waterfalls and a secret swimming spot, swapping activities post-lunch for a full day of adventure and discovery.

After breakfast and hotel checkout, we return to Bovec for more white water SUP, building on the previous day's skills. We'll potentially explore a new river section, depending on conditions.

Following our adventures, we depart the Soca Valley, with a scenic transfer over the Vršič Pass, enjoying an early dinner with spectacular views. We'll reach Ljubljana airport by 19:20 with an optional drop-off to Ljubljana centre or train station or at Lake Bled for those extending their stay.