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Published on juillet 16th, 2024 | by Kayak Session https://www.kayaksession.com/img-current-issue/upload-your-video.png

NRS Durance Festival 2024, Chateauroux les Alpes, France

Photos by: Raoul Getraud

The 9th edition of the Durance Festival took place July 12-14th, in Chateauroux les Alpes in the Southern French alps with records flows, high sun and lots of smiles (and fresh beers…).
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

©kayaksession.com

The weekend started on a rainy Friday in St Clément with the newly launched Durance Testival, where paddlers could try the latest from NRS, Pyranha, Waka, Prijon, Dragorossi, RTM, Lettmann, Level Six.

The 9th edition of the Durance Festival took place July 12-14th, in Chateauroux les Alpes in the Southern French alps with records flows, high sun and lots of smiles (and fresh beers…).
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

©kayaksession.com

©Raoul Getraud

©kayaksession.com

Despite the high flows, Saturday’s Guil Chrono had 55 registered paddlers. In the true spirit of the Durance, the competitors were a blend of extreme paddlers, freestyle big names, local experts, a few international racers, and some last-minute entries from slalom competitors in the area for training camps. This blend of paddlers created a super cool race with a strong spirit of exchange and respect.

Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

©kayaksession.com

Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

With water levels too high to race The Chateau Q Gorge, race manager Morgan Arnaud (Nomad River School) devised a new concept. The race would take place on the section right above the lake at Maison du Lac—in two sections nearly two minutes each, with a pause between. Paddlers would race the top section first, then float together to the second startline to race section two. A 15-minute pause between allowed safety and timing to be operational for leg two.

Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
The 9th edition of the Durance Festival took place July 12-14th, in Chateauroux les Alpes in the Southern French alps with records flows, high sun and lots of smiles (and fresh beers…).
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
The 9th edition of the Durance Festival took place July 12-14th, in Chateauroux les Alpes in the Southern French alps with records flows, high sun and lots of smiles (and fresh beers…).
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

Everyone ended the day paddling sections of the Guil, choosing between over 30 km of whitewater ranging from Class III to V according to their liking and level. Many opted to run the entire Guil, aka the Guil integral.

The festival ended with the traditional Sunday Stoke float, the Grande Descente, which gathered over 100 paddlers. An array of paddlers of all ages, all levels, groups, schools, clubs, friends, using all sorts of boats and crafts: kayaks, canoes, rafts, Sup’s, duckies.

The 9th edition of the Durance Festival took place July 12-14th, in Chateauroux les Alpes in the Southern French alps with records flows, high sun and lots of smiles (and fresh beers…).
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud
Photo – @Raoul Getraud

A huge thank you to NRS for supporting the event the past 9 years and this year again with tons of prizes, the team at Camping Rabioux, Nomad River School, Hike2rivers, PGL, Denis, Elliott, Hadrien and Juliette, and of course, everyone who made the trip!

U18 Female’s Winning Podium
U18 Men Podium
U18 Men’s Winning Podium
Over 35 Podium
Over 35’s Winning Podium
Ladies Winning Podium
Ladie’s Winning Podium
Mens Winning Podium
Men’s Winning Podium

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