Packrafting: the river in your backpack
Picture a watercraft that fits in a hiking backpack, weighs 3.5 kg, inflates in two minutes — and lets you run rapids up to class IV. That's packrafting: where the mountain world meets the river world.
A watercraft born in the world of expedition
The packraft wasn't born on a river — it was born in the minds of explorers who wanted to cross rivers without giving up their autonomy. Its decisive advantage: its deflated volume. Folded up, it disappears into your bag. Inflated, it runs class III-IV rapids with surprising stability.
In practice, the packraft lets you combine the river with almost any other discipline: completing a trail or trek that ends at a waterway, descending an underground river on a caving trip, linking two valleys without a car, reaching a wave by bike. The river as one leg of a journey, not an exclusive destination.
At Oueds & Rios, we use French-made packrafts, TPU fabric, reliable and repairable. Our goal: to teach you the fundamentals of river navigation, help you progress at your own pace — and make you independent enough to plan your own expeditions.
Beyond the Ubaye
The packraft is particularly well suited to rivers with character. Beyond the Ubaye, we run sessions on the Durance — from Saint-Clément to the Rabioux wave, then on to Embrun — and on the Grand Canyon du Verdon (class IV-V, reserved for paddlers who have completed an advanced session with us, in partnership with a local guide).
Progression, our guiding thread
Whether you're coming to test the craft for a morning or preparing for a multi-day expedition, our approach is the same: teach you the fundamentals, support your progression, make you independent. Your river guide isn't there to show you how it works from the bank — they paddle with you, adapt the route to your level, and coach you in real conditions.
The packraft is the ideal craft for those who want to go beyond guided activity — understanding the river, reading the water, anticipating. It's a natural stepping stone into the world of kayaking in an FFCK club.
Want to try packrafting?
Packraft sessions take place within our guided kayak sessions. To try the craft, simply book a kayak session and let us know at the time of booking — in the comment field or by phone — that you'd like to paddle in a packraft. We adapt the route and equipment to the conditions and your level.
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