Latest blog post articles
Upcoming
Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateSlovenia
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
Three star hotels and tourist farm stay with mountain 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 10km straight, 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 the hotel: proper local food, 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, refining technique and getting ready for the faster flows.
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.
Wine cellar visit with one of the region’s best winemakers. Taste the wines, hear the stories and eat incredibly well.
SUP on the Soča and Idrijca rivers - these are spots for locals and those in the know, and definitely not on the tourist trail.
More paddling on the rivers. You'll feel the current moving beneath your board. This is your intro to whitewater paddling, and it's brilliant.
Downtime, debrief over dinner with your group 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 and safety talk, then it's time to hit the water.
Warm-up on calm sections of the river, then get on to the rapids. While one group's paddling, the other hikes to waterfalls and a hidden swimming spot. We swap after lunch.
Swap stories, relive the best bits, eat like champions.
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 Vršič 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.
1 of 2
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.
2 of 2
The essentials
| Accommodation |
Home Comforts A 3-star hotels and a family-run tourist farm.
|
|---|---|
| Food and Drink |
All meals included across 6 days. We accommodate most dietary requirements. When dining at local restaurants, we can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination. If your allergy is severe, please get in touch before you book.
|
| Fitness level |
3
Challenging Paddling 5–12km on whitewater rivers and flat lakes, combined with canyoning and hiking across five consecutive days, means your shoulders and legs are working hard in different ways throughout the week. The whitewater SUP days add an extra layer – you need to be comfortable with speed, falling off your board and getting back on in moving water. You'll Need To Be
|
| Skill level |
2
Improver Prior SUP experience is essential. We ask that you’ve done a minimum of five sessions totalling 10+ hours, including at least one 10km paddle, have confidence with self-rescue techniques, and the ability to swim 100m in open water. If you’re new to SUP, build your experience first and come back for this one. 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 |
The answers
Yes – this isn’t a beginner trip. You need at least five SUP sessions (10+ hours) including one 10km paddle. You should be comfortable and confident standing on your board for hours, self-rescuing if you fall, and swimming 100m 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.
Slovenia offers great conditions for SUP in August and September. 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 most needs, though choices may be limited when working with local restaurants and farms. Vegetarians will have good options. Vegans are welcome, but be aware the choices will be restricted.
The one thing we can’t accommodate is coeliac or severe allergies. Part of your stay is at a family-run farmhouse where meals are cooked the traditional way, and while every precaution is taken, some meals are at local restaurants with a single kitchen, 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.
SEE WHATS TRENDING
