An end-of-year trip isn't organised in May. Between the educational project, approval from the head, the budget and transport, teachers who want to take their class onto the river in 2027 start thinking about it in winter. Here is what you need to know to plan a white-water school trip with Ur Bizia, on the River Nive at Bidarray.
A base that has welcomed school groups since 1991
Ur Bizia was the first water sports base set up on the Nive at Bidarray, in 1991. More than 30 years on, we still welcome primary and secondary school classes, as well as holiday and activity centres. The base is 30 minutes from Bayonne and Biarritz, with free coach parking on site.
A genuine teaching resource
Going down the Nive is more than a sports outing. The river is a way into reading the natural environment, hydrology, and the wildlife and plants of the Basque Country. On the water, pupils build cross-curricular skills: cooperation, mutual support, managing stress, and confidence in themselves and in others.
We can tailor the content to your class project: science, PE, geography, sustainable development. Tell us what you are working on with your pupils and we will build the trip around it.
Which activity for which age?
Activities are adapted to the pupils' age and level:
- Rafting: the most accessible activity. The whole team is in the same boat, with a guide on board. Cooperation and listening are the order of the day. It is also the activity open to the youngest pupils: the minimum age depends on your group, and we will confirm it when you get in touch.
- Mini raft (from age 12, secondary school): a small crew with no guide on board, so the pupils are in charge. Leadership and team spirit put to the test.
- Inflatable canoe (from age 12, secondary school): in pairs, pupils have to coordinate their strokes. Very stable and well suited to beginners.
- Hydrospeed (from age 12, older secondary pupils): for sporty classes, white-water swimming with a float. A personal challenge and a lesson in pacing effort.
For a full day, the day formula combines two activities, with a picnic at our base between the two descents. It is ideal for an end-of-year trip. A half day with a single activity is also possible.
How does the day run?
When you arrive at the base, pupils are welcomed and kitted out with a helmet, buoyancy aid and wetsuit. The equipment fits all body sizes. A coach then takes the group upstream to the put-in, where the guide gives a briefing on safety and paddling instructions. Then comes the descent of the Nive, down to our private landing beach.
Back at the base, changing rooms and hot showers are waiting for the class. The picnic area, with tables and barbecues, can be reserved for your group alone.
Safety, point by point
- Activities are led by state-qualified guides, with supervision ratios in line with French Education Ministry standards.
- Being able to swim is compulsory. A water confidence test can be carried out before setting off.
- Equipment is provided: helmet, CE-approved buoyancy aid and thermal wetsuit.
- We supply the documents your school needs, including the guides' qualifications and insurance certificates.
Good news for accompanying staff: they take part free of charge, based on a ratio to the number of pupils. Ask us for the details with your quote.
What about a stay of several days?
For a residential trip, Camping Amestoya in Bidarray can host your group, with tent pitches and communal spaces. You can combine white-water activities with walks in the inland Basque Country for a complete educational stay.
Get your request ready this winter
So that we can reply quickly and accurately, have this information to hand:
- the period you have in mind;
- the number of pupils and accompanying adults (we welcome whole classes, from 15 to more than 60 pupils);
- the pupils' age or year group;
- the format you would like: half day or full day, one or two activities;
- your educational project, if you want the trip to be part of it.
You will find everything on our school trips in the Basque Country page. Then send us your quote request from the contact page. Looking for a day out with your own children instead? Have a look at our family activities.
And warn your pupils: there will be splashing. The guides, for their part, have been warned since 1991.
