Intro to Steep Creeking - Italy
Learn to run drops and slides we offer tactical and technical solutions to help you handle these drops in safety and in style
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Discover the ultimate Italian adventure with Gene17kayaking—a thrilling blend of world-class whitewater and rich cultural experiences. As early summer unfolds, the valleys of Valsesia awaken with crystal-clear meltwater cascading down smooth granite slides and bedrock rapids. This natural spectacle transforms Piemonte from a premier creeking destination into the perfect classroom for kayakers eager to refine their skills. Imagine navigating steep and technical waterways that are surprisingly forgiving, all set against a backdrop of ancient villages, charming cafés, and towering snow-capped peaks.
For a brief window each spring, paddlers from around the globe converge here to indulge in exceptional kayaking and the finest Italian cuisine and wine. With Gene17kayaking, you’re not just paddling—you’re immersing yourself in an unforgettable journey that marries adrenaline-pumping adventure with the glamour and sophistication of Italian culture. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or new to creeking, there’s no better place to elevate your skills while savoring the good life.
Join us in Valsesia and experience why it’s considered the world’s premier kayaking destination for lovers of whitewater, food, and wine.
Day 1: Arrival day. Settle into the apartment and take in the village of Campertogno
Day 2: Hit the water! After a quick gear review and boat outfitting session, we’ll go for a chilled-out paddle on the Sesia. It’ll give us the chance to look at how you’re paddling and find out what you want to work on.
Day 3: Today’s a technical skill review and the chance to set goals for the rest of the week. We’ll head to a low-volume river section and introduce you to some key concepts of dynamic river paddling, such as tracking, angulation, pro-active balance and driving your boat.
Day 4: Boof! Our first real day on the bedrock will allow you to work on your essential techniques and the team’s group dynamics.
Day 5: An extension of days 2 & 3, building on new techniques to shape them into skills. Again, we’ll be at another Valsesia classic creek.
Day 6: A testing chance: another classic pool-drop river and a chance to get some photos as those skills become moves and lines to execute with flair.
Day 7: Piemonte classic. We’ll head for an all-day trip with steep drops, scenic surroundings and world-class whitewater. The ideal finish to a perfect week
Day 8: Departure day: time for a debrief and the end of the course.
What the price does include
- Guiding and Instruction†
- Full accommodation including breakfast & lunch
- Airport & River shuttles*
- Use of a full spec whitewater kayak** from a locally sourced fleet based on 35€ per day per kayak.
† Our Coaching/Guiding Only solution, is simply that, our first rate excellent Coaching & Guiding, and assistance with river shuttles.
* Airport Shuttle is to and from Milan Malpensa Airport. All arrivals to any of Milan’s other airports, will need to make their way to Malpensa Airport for pick up prior to 18:00 on the day of arrival
** Gene17 has a small yet excellent selection of kayaks for a range of different sized paddlers, & these are available on a first come, first served basis ONLY
What the price does not include
Visa fees
Flight
Bar bills
Travel & Boat insurance
Tips
Can I rental a kayak & paddle in destination?
- In all out destinations we have developed great partnerships with local kayak rental outlets
- We will help you secure a kayak of your choice
- If you do not wish to travel with your own paddle, we have a handful of high end Werner Paddles all with straight shafts and 45ºR feather. We also have some breakdown split paddles that can be made into 0º & 45ºL feather,. All available upon request.
- Note all equipment whether from a rental station or Gene17Kayaking is offered on a first come first served basis.
Note: Gene17 has access to a small yet excellent selection of kayaks for a range of different sized paddlers, & these are available on a first come, first served basis ONLY.
FAQs
Your most import questions answered
- In all out destinations we have developed great partnerships with local kayak rental outlets
- We will help you secure a kayak of your choice
- If you do not wish to travel with your own paddle, we have a handful of high end Werner Paddles all with straight shafts and 45ºR feather. We also have some breakdown split paddles that can be made into 0º & 45ºL feather,. All available upon request.
- Note all equipment whether from a rental station or Gene17Kayaking is offered on a first come first served basis.
- A good semi-drytop or drytop or drysuit
- Whitewater PFD, spray deck and good helmet
- Solid footwear for bank support – no sandals
- Rescue gear, including a throwbag, knife, sling, and karabiner
The trip will be led by an experienced Gene17kayaking appointed trip leader.
In selecting suitable leaders, we not only look to ensure that they have the relevant qualifications but we also ensure that they have an excellent track record of white water paddling from around the world.
Whilst qualifications and experience are essential requirements, we also make sure that our leaders have the right temperament to lead a trip group comprised of individuals who have a range of previous experience and expectations.
The leader is a vital contributor to the enjoyment and well-being of the trip members and he or she will be there to deal with any unexpected problems. To that end, we aim to provide a leader who will make the trip both successful and enjoyable throughout.
Our leaders hold current wilderness first aid certificates and have experience of dealing with remote river related medical conditions.
We will take a maximum of 6 paddlers on each trip, although the number may well be less than this. With every 3 paddlers we have on the trip, we’ll have a highly experienced Gene17kayaking Teacher/Guide.
- We’ll help you figure out how to tackle complex rapids and we’ll give you some serious boofin’ practice
- We’ll work on reading water dynamically, with a focus on driving your boat through turns, arcs and drops
- We’ll look at understanding whitewater features and learning to use the water's features to your advantage
- We’ll help you develop tactics to take on steeper whitewater in safety
- WW safety and rescue skills workshop
- We’ll help you find where you are with your paddling and we’ll give you a progression plan to work to
Day 1 Arrival day. Settle into your accommodation and take in the village of Campertogno.
Day 2 Hit the water! After a quick gear review and boat outfitting session, we’ll go for a chilled out paddle on the Sesia. It’ll give us the chance to look at how you’re paddling and find out what you want to work on
Day 3 Today’s a technical skill review and the chance to set some goals for the rest of the week. We’ll head to a more challenging river section and introduce you to some of the key concepts of dynamic river paddling such as angulation, pro-active balance and driving your boat.
Day 4 Today we’ll look at your river awareness. We’ll focus on group dynamics and leadership principles on one of the classics.
Day 5 Boof! Our first real day on the bedrock steeps will give you a real chance to work on your essential techniques and the team’s group dynamics.
Day 6 More of the steeps: another classic pool-drop river and chance to get some photos.
Day 7 Piemonte classic. We’ll head for an all day trip with steep drops, scenic surroundings and world class whitewater. The ideal finish to a perfect week.
Day 8 Departure day: time for a debrief and the end of the course.