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Aug
Experienced paddlers can build their skills and learn whitewater SUP whilst exploring three different regions in Slovenia by water!
Improver
Challenging
Home Comforts
From
£2,250
(USD $3,532.50)
From flat water to rapids
Ready to take your paddleboarding from calm lakes to river rapids? This whitewater SUP adventure builds your confidence on Slovenia’s stunning river systems – from glassy alpine lakes to turquoise rapids that’ll get your heart racing.
Five days of expert coaching teaches you to read currents, ride rapids, and recover like a pro when things go sideways. Between SUP sessions, abseil down waterfalls, leap into emerald pools, and sample wines that grow nowhere else on earth.
Base yourself in mountain hotels and a traditional farm, fuel up on incredible Slovenian food, then swap stories with seven other thrill-seekers who get why you’re here. Ready to add some serious excitement to your paddle skills?
An active agenda
No hidden costs
Skill-building sessions on lakes plus whitewater SUP coaching on the Soča River
Navigate a gorge with abseiling, canyoning and emerald pools
Guided treks to waterfalls and natural swimming spots
SUP boards, paddles, safety gear, dry bags and wetsuits
Sample local wines in the Vipava Valley wine region
Four star hotels and tourist farm stay with vinyard views
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at local restaurants daily
Qualified SUP instructors, local guides and your Gutsy Girls host
Pick-up and drop-off at Ljubljana Airport, city centre, and Lake Bled
Activity Overview
Take your SUP skills from flatwater to whitewater across Slovenia’s emerald rivers. Dial up your technique on glassy alpine lakes, then tackle moving water and small rapids. By the end, you’ll be navigating lively rivers where the water runs impossibly green.
You’ll need at least 10 hours of SUP experience, the ability to paddle for long periods, and be comfortable falling in (because you will).
Activity Overview
Get your adrenaline fix with whitewater SUP, the discipline that turns calm paddlers into thrill seekers. Navigate fast-flowing currents and small rapids while (trying) to stand on your board.
Two dedicated whitewater sessions build your confidence reading currents, riding rapids and recovering when things get wobbly. All with awe-inspiring backdrops that you won’t have time to take in as you fly down the river.
You don’t need perfect balance, just the grit to get back up and willingness to get properly soaked.
Activity Overview
Navigate canyon gorges using your whole body: hiking, swimming, climbing, and abseiling. No experience required for this three-hour adventure, just a head for heights and some guts to jump from rock ledges!
Rappel down waterfalls, leap into crystal-clear pools, and scramble through natural formations that took thousands of years to create. Your expert guides handle all the technical stuff while you focus on not chickening out at the edge.
The Destination
Your adventure starts here
Meet the transfer in Ljubljana, then head to Lake Bled. We're starting with paddleboarding - nailing balance, SUP technique, and swimming in water so clear.
Picnic lunch on the lake. Then transfer to Ribčev Laz near Lake Bohinj - our base for two nights.
Dinner at a local restaurant: proper local food, a cosy setting and good company.
Breakfast, then onto Lake Bohinj with the Julian Alps towering behind you. Today's session is all about mastering the strokes and turns you'll really need when we hit the whitewater.
More time on the water, building confidence and refining technique. The rest of the afternoon is free to swim, relax or explore.
Dinner and down time to prep for tomorrow's adventure.
Breakfast, check out, then canyoning. Abseiling down waterfalls, leaping off rocks, swimming in emerald pools.
Car train to Vipava Valley with a swim stop (and maybe more cliff jumping) on the way. Check into a working farm stay.
Enjoy a wine tasting with a hearty dinner, everything on the plate produced in the local area.
SUP on the Soča and Idrijca rivers - these are spots for locals and those in the know, and definitely not on the tourist trail.
After lunch hike to a local waterfall for a wild swimming session.
Dinner in Kobarid, where you'll have a debrief from your guide and get a good night's sleep before your first proper day on the rapids.
Whitewater SUP on the Soča River at Bovec. Two small groups, one highly experienced instructor per group. Get a hydrology briefing, safety talk and white water coaching, then it's time to hit the water.
After lunch the groups swap. Once everyone's done there's the chance for more hiking and wild swimming.
Swap stories, relive the best bits, eat like champions at a local restaurant.
Back to Bovec for round two of whitewater SUP. Building on yesterday, potentially hitting a new section depending on conditions and how we're feeling.
Leave the Soča Valley with a scenic drive over the mountain pass - the views are ridiculous.
Early dinner, then head back to Ljubljana airport for late evening flights. That's a wrap.
Rest & Refuel
We've sorted a solid mix of stays: comfortable hotels plus one night at a working tourist farm, all with private or twin room options.
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Slovenia doesn't mess around when it comes to food. 2021 European Region of Gastronomy winner, 24 gastronomic regions, world-class produce - this place is a food lover's playground, and we're here for it.
Expect seriously good meals. Amazing restaurants, regional wine, and the kind of local cuisine that fuels even the longest days on the water.
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The essentials
| Accommodation |
Home Comforts A 4-star hotels and a family-run tourist farm.
|
|---|---|
| Food and Drink |
All meals included across six days. We accommodate most dietary requirements. Unfortunately we can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination. If your allergy is severe, please get in touch before you book.
|
| Fitness level |
3
Challenging Across consecutive days you’ll 5–12km on whitewater rivers and flat lakes, as well as hike, wild swim and try canyoning too. Your shoulders and legs work hard in different ways through the trip, so a good base of general fitness makes all the difference. The moving-water SUP days ask a little more: you’ll want to be comfortable with speed, falling off your board and getting back on. You'll Need To Be
|
| Skill level |
2
Improver Prior SUP experience is essential; this trip is designed for improvers who want to try whitewater paddleboarding. We ask that you’ve paddled on flat water a handful of times (roughly 8–10 sessions), you can stand up, get yourself back on the board after a fall, and are a confident swimmer who’s happy in open water. That’s it, everything else – the strokes, the self-rescue, reading and paddling moving water – we coach you through, starting on calm lakes. If you’re new to SUP, try our Paddleboarding and Hiking Holiday in Slovenia first. Not sure what level you are? Our Trip Rating Guide explains how we score fitness and skill. |
| Packing List |
This list is an indication of the specialist items you will need, and might need to invest in before your adventure! For a full list of what you’ll need to bring, check out the trip guide. We Provide
You’ll Need
|
| Travel |
The meeting points for this trip are Ljubljana City, Ljubljana Airport, and Lake Bled. Alternative routes and travel information are in our trip guide. |
| Not Included |
|
| Trip Code |
SLOBANSUPW. Include this code in any message and we’ll know exactly which trip you mean. |
The answers
Yes – this is a trip for anyone who can already SUP and wants to try paddling on white water. You need at least 8–10 sessions SUP session on calm water and should be comfortable and confident standing on your board for long periods, self-rescuing if you fall, and swimming in open water.
This trip is rated challenging. You’ll be paddling 5-12km daily for 3-5 hours, plus hiking and canyoning. Think good stamina rather than elite athlete – if you can handle five consecutive active days, you’ll cope well.
We start on calm lakes and build up to small rapids on the Soča River. You’ll be in a drysuit with all safety gear, and our guides know these waters inside out. You will fall in – that’s part of learning – but it’s controlled progression, not jumping straight into challenging water.
SUP boards, paddles, safety gear, and dry bags for flat water. For whitewater sessions, we provide drysuits, safety helmets, and specialist gear. You just need swimwear, aqua shoes with proper soles, and sun protection.
Think natural waterslides, jumping into emerald pools, and abseiling down waterfalls. No experience needed – just comfort with heights and jumping into water.
Arrive the night before and stay in Ljubljana – it’s a vibrant, beautiful city and we can recommend hotels. Alternative routes via Venice are possible using FlixBus or GoOpti transfers.
A group transfer is included on both the arrival and departure days. There is one transfer each way, and your flight must match the timing. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to make your own arrangements.
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:55
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:25
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:15*
Departure Day:
Lake Bled Drop off: 18:30
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
Ljubljana City Drop off: 19:50
*Please note Lake Bled pick up may change a little depending on traffic and logistics on the day – your host and guide will keep you updated via the WhatsApp group.
As well as Ljubljana Airport, we also collect guests from Ljubljana City Centre and the library in Bled.
Slovenia offers great conditions for SUP in the summer. The weather will be warm, but can be changeable, so pack layers. Rain is possible but guides will adjust activities if need be so you’ll still get your adventure.
Absolutely. Weather and water conditions change, so our guides adjust daily plans for the best and safest experience. Core activities happen, but timing and exact locations adapt to conditions.
Budget around €20-30 daily for drinks, ice creams, and personal purchases. Slovenia uses euros and card payments are widely accepted.
We can cater for some dietary requirements. Vegetarians will have good options, but whilst vegans are welcome, be aware the choices will be restricted.
Unfortunately we can’t accommodate is coeliac diets or severe allergies. Whilst every precaution is taken, all locations have a single kitchen and so we can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination.
For that reason this trip isn’t suitable if you’re coeliac or have a severe allergy. Get in touch before booking and we’ll point you towards a trip that works better.
This trip runs with up to seven guests and two guides, so you get plenty of support and it’s easy to get to know everyone across the week.
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