From the point of view of a Fresher, having never been to the French alps before I had a whale of a time. The sun shined (most of the time) and the water levels were high which made some awesome paddling possible.
The campsite was a stone’s throw from the slalom course so that had to be conquered first. With water levels dropping from what had been chaotic floods throughout France the rivers were brown and flowing super fast. There were few eddys but still plenty of rocks. On arrival the club went upstream to what was meant to be a placid introduction to alpine paddling. It turned out to be a swim festation as unsuspecting boaters came face to face with rocks and turned upside down on eddy currents. Everyone made it to the bottom, just, and from that moment on the swim handicap was obliterated daily.
 The swim beers began to come in thick and fast….
Every morning before the sun had even time to creep over the mountain all sleeping beauties were awoken by the morning monster… LLoyd. Enthusiastic and ready for action he rallied everyone into the bus and set off to the river for some more Liverpool river carnage. Fitting in two rivers a day, and each one progressively getting harder throughout the week everyone was beginning to discover the steep, exhilaration and thrill of the alpine rivers. (Or more the overwhelming sense of relief at being alive when they stepped foot on dry land at the take out point.)
I can’t remember the name of the river I was on yesterday, never mind those in the Alps, but the steep gorges and crystal water was everything the holiday brochure described. In-between rivers was cheeky banter, beers, meeting new people and plenty of French baguettes. The campsite was full of university students so it gave us a chance to mingle and eye up the competition for BUSA next year.
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The annual meal in the Argentiere was a French 3 course meal, with a Captains Viagra initiation drink handed in Andy’s direction, congratulation’s boy! Maybe it will become a tradition?
On the whole thanks to everyone who organized it, but next year, can we make it say 3months longer? It sucks to be back in the UK!
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