All women paddleboarding and whitewater SUP adventure holiday in Slovenia
Develop your SUP skills over 6 days in awe-ispiring locations, wild rivers and stunning lakes!
Learn how to whitewater SUP on a 2 day course with expert coaching
Hike to hidden waterfalls, discovering secret swimming spots and more!
Sample incredible local cuisine; top-quality dining experiences included
Discover fantastic wine and learn about the winemaking practices in one of Slovenia’s best wine regions
Experience an authentic and unique adventure led by passionate local guides showcasing Slovenia’s hidden gems!
Connect with new friends - an adventure holiday created for solo travellers
Embark on a 6-day Paddleboarding Adventure Holiday across Slovenia. Perfect for paddlers looking to build their skills and learn whitewater SUP! Explore glacier lakes in the Julian Alps, vibrant rivers in the Soca Valley, and waterways that wind through the Vipava wine region.
This SUP adventure spans three diverse regions, offering a unique blend of thrilling activities and gastronomic delights, perfect for foodies. We’ll journey through three regions, combining action-packed days on the water with great local hikes and a day of canyoning too! Stay in a variety of comfortable accommodations, from cosy hotels to a unique farm stay, and experience the beauty of Slovenia guided by local experts.
location
Embark on a 6-day journey exploring Slovenia's hidden gems; we’ll visit glacier lakes nestled in the Julian Alps, emerald green rivers in the Soca Valley, and rivers that meander through the vineyards in the Vipava wine region. Led by passionate local guides, you'll dive into an authentic and immersive experience, and discover Slovenia's awe-inspiring landscapes.
PADDLEBOARDING
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.
What is WHITEWATER SUP?
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.
REQUIRED SUP SKILLS FOR JOINING
• 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
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
HIKING
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.
Triglav National Park
Our adventure unfolds in the heart of Slovenia, within the sprawling expanse of Triglav National Park. Here, in the charming village of Ribcev Laz, we’ll spend two nights surrounded by the park's pristine beauty. Our days are filled with paddleboarding on the tranquil waters of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, complemented by an exhilarating day of canyoning, diving into the park's hidden natural treasures.
Vipava Valley
On the third day, we’ll take a scenic car train ride that brings us to the Vipava Valley, a jewel among Slovenia's wine regions. This area is celebrated for its rich culinary heritage and exquisite wines. Here, we'll enjoy a memorable culinary experience, including a visit to a local winemaker for a tasting session. Our adventure continues with paddleboarding on the Vipava River, known for its wild and untouched beauty.
Soca Valley
Our journey culminates in the Soca Valley, a picturesque region famed for its vibrant natural landscapes and the crystal-clear, emerald waters of the Soca River. Kobarid, a lively mountain village, serves as our base, where adventurers gather to share tales in cosy bars after a day of exploring. In this setting, we embrace the thrill of whitewater paddling, navigating the exhilarating rapids of the Soca River, marking a perfect end to our adventure.!
FOOD
In 2021 Slovenia received the European Region of Gastronomy award for the country's rich culinary heritage and its efforts to develop sustainable food systems. With 24 gastronomic regions and high quality produce, Slovenia is becoming a foodies hotspot!
We’ll be fuelling this adventure with incredible food and wine, dining out at some of the most highly regarded restaurants in each region.
Accommodation
Throughout our adventure, we'll enjoy a blend of accommodations, staying in comfortable 3-star hotels, along with a special night at a local tourist farm for a unique experience. Choose to share a twin room with a fellow adventurer or opt for a private room.
FITNESS LEVEL
This active adventure offers the opportunity to explore beautiful locations, learn new skills and challenge yourself!
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to join us, however, you’ll need a good fitness level to enjoy all the activities of the week. This trip is rated moderate.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Activity Duration: 4-6 hours of activities each day.
SUP Distances: Paddle between 5km and 12km on lakes and rivers
SUP Duration: We’ll paddle for 3-5 hours with breaks
Whitewater SUP: This activity will get your adrenaline going! You should be comfortable with falling off your paddleboard and able to self-rescue.
Canyoning: We’ll be learning to abseil, jumping off rocks and swimming. You should be comfortable with heights and jumping into water.
Hiking: Our hikes on this trip are easy-going with distances up to 5km.
Hiking Terrain: Navigate uneven, rocky paths with loose stones underfoot.
Consecutive Activity: Prepare for 5 days of back-to-back activities, which can be demanding.
Why jOin Gutsy Girls?
At 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!
ITINERARY
See our itinerary as a guide for the adventure, we may make changes based on weather and water conditions to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience with us!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
PRICE
Twin Room £1850
Private Room £2050
Dates
Tues 9 July - Sun 14 July
Tues 6 Aug - Sun 11 August FULLY BOOKED
Tues 3 Sept - Sun 8 Sept
What’s Included
6 days of guided paddleboarding and activities
4 SUP sessions and coaching on Lakes and Rivers
2 Whitewater SUP Lessons and tours (3h each)
Guided hikes
SUP, paddle, safety gear and dry bag.
Canyoning experience
5 nights accommodation
2 nights 3 star hotel
1 night farm stay
2 nights 3 star hotel
All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner
1 wine tasting experience
Local guide
Gutsy Girl Host
Single-timed airport transfer
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Personal travel insurance - must cover white water paddleboarding
Personal clothing
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This trip runs from Tuesday morning until Sunday evening, squeezing as much adventure into 6 days as possible.
We have various pick up points and times to give you the most flexible travel options
Arrival Day:
• Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:00
• Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:40
• Lake Bled meeting point: 11:30
Departure Day:
• Lake Bled Drop off: 18:40
• Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
• Ljubljana City Drop off: 20:00
Recommended flights
LONDON FLIGHTS
Tuesday
London Gatwick 06:25 ✈️ Ljubljana 09:40 - Easyjet EZY8841
Sunday
Ljubljana 21:20 ✈️ London Heathrow 22:45 - Easyjet EZY8842
Other flight options
If those flight times or Gatwick airport don't suit you, you can fly into Ljubljana the day before and after and spend a night in Ljubljana or Lake Bled before and after the trip.
If you choose to take a different flight and need to get from the airport into town by yourself, there is lots of information on getting to and from the airport here.
Alternatively you could look at flights to Venice and catch a bus to Ljubljana (approx 3h - see here for booking the bus from Venice to Ljubljana) - You'll likely need an extra night either side of the trip.
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Over 95% of our guests join our trips solo. With activity-filled days and group dinners you’ll be in great company throughout the trip.
Once you’ve booked your spot, you’ll be invited to a WhatsApp group, and many guests arrange to meet at the airport before flying to us, some choose to share a hotel at the airport.
If you book a twin room, you’ll be sharing with another Gutsy Girl.
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This trip has a maximum of 12 guests. You’ll have 2 highly experienced SUP guides and Gutsy Girl host leading this trip.
QUESTIONS?
Our FAQs are packed with details and probably have your answer!
If not, drop us a message below and we'll respond within 48 hours, Monday to Friday.
FAQS
SLOVENIA WHITEWATER SUP ADVENTURE
PACKING LIST
Pack as light as possible and use soft sided luggage, not a hard shell case, for ease of transport and logistics! We will have limited space in our van so cabin sized baggage is recommended.
We provide
SUP Board and Paddle
Pfd and safety equipment
Dry bag
Short wetsuit / neoprene suit
Drysuit and safety gear for whitewater SUP
Personal
Water bottles - 1x2l or 2x1l - at least 2 litres
Rehydration tablets if the weather looks hot
Toiletries
Personal medication and small first aid kit (painkillers, blister plasters etc)
Daypack for storing lunch and water during the hikes
Sunscreen (waterproof)
Insect repellent
Sunglasses & a floating strap
Travel towel (microfibre)
Snacks - energy cereal bars, nuts, dried fruit etc
Rehydration / electrolytes tablets
Clothes
Comfortable walking shoes / trainers
Aqua shoes - (shoes with a proper sole you can get wet for exiting the water on sharp rocks. Flip flops are not secure enough) example - Mandatory
Swimwear
A good sized towel or changing robe for changing at the lake / river
UV protection t-shirt / rash vest (paddling)
Cap or wide brimmed hat
Quick drying shorts or leggings
Quick drying t-shirts
Warm pullover, trousers and long socks for our hike in the cave
Loose fitting clothes / dress to throw on after being wet!
Lightweight jacket (down insulated) for the evenings
Waterproof jacket - just in case!
Flip flops for the accomodation / casual use
Clothes for evenings - How casual you'd like to keep it is entirely up to you!
Warmer layers for the evenings as the weather can be changeable.
Recommended
Earplugs / eye mask
Travel sickness tablets - if you need them for car journeys
Waterproof pouch for your phone!