Ur Bizia, Rafting, hydrospeed in the pyrenees and the basque country

When doing this white water activity, you are not "on" but "in" the river, and it makes a big difference.
You feel the river from inside, you place yourself in its hands. You have no more fear of falling in the water, since you are already in it. The best way to make a first experience with a river less alarming is to swim in it.You 'll discover that this seemingly rough, cascading, fluctuating water is not as mean as it seems. It is the ideal activity to feel the river, its currents and understand how it works.

You slide in the waves, you get the pleasures of surfing, and you can go down 2nd-class rivers (with 3rd-class crossings) as soon as the first rides!
This activity is quite physical. When you begin, it can be difficult to gain speed, to handle the float and to keep on looking far ahead.

The "thing" that enables you to swim down rivers is a strange accessory, the float. It is usually called an "hydrospeed", it is made of foam rubber, has a full and round shape at the front, hollowed at the back. It also has sockets for the arms. The swimmer holds the float by putting his arms through these sockets.

Its aims is to allow the swimmer to get inside it to float, to protect himself and mainly to navigate.
The float can have different shapes: with a flat bottom, it is steadier for beginners, to a kayak-shape front for more advanced swimmer. It weighs between 4 and 5 kilos.

You will wear a pair of very pliable flippers. They are quite short with no nozzle to avoid getting stack. You'll also have a complete isothermal suit, a life-jacket and a helmet.