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Playspot: France, South, River Chassezac, Les Dalles

What's it like

The spot consists of a breaking wave on river right and a little hole on river left (which you cannot see on the above picture).

The hole can become sticky but it is never a problem as you can push on the bottom with your paddle (it is only 50 cms deep). In high water, the hole flattens out and a wave appears, about 3 meters wide and perfect for all the horizontal moves.

The wave on river right is nice but there is a little rock right in the middle. You have to avoid this rock when carving at very low water.

Here are some more pictures at 10 m3/s, which should be considered lowish water level (click for full size):

The wave becomes completely green at 17-18 m3/s

Swimming is OK: the rapid finishes into a large quiet pool.

How to get there

From Ruoms or Vallon Pont d'Arc take the D111 (head to Grospierre) until the crossroad with the D104. Turn left and right onto the D202 and follow this road until the crossroad with the D901, where you turn right (direction Les Vans) and right again (D295 direction Chassagnes). Stay on this road until you see the playspot on the Chassezac, below a cliff.

More info

For water levels, contact the Vallon Pont d'Arc Kayak Club: +33 4 75 88 06 10

Locals

Just some local playboaters and lots of German kayakers in the summer.

Events

A rodeo contest in march organized by the Playboat section of the Vallon Pont d'Arc Kayak Club.
For more info, phone +33 4 75 88 06 10.

Info sources

Gael