CANOEING / RAFTING IN AUSTRIA

Course Description

SALZA is Austria's most popular river for beautiful rapids, absolutely clear water and beautiful nature all around.It is also close the border and long travel is no longer necessary. For the week we will manage to go down the best sections on inflatable canoes. And of course you can count on the friendly help our instructors, who know Salza by heart. Most parts are easy to medium difficulty WW 2 to 2+. The rapids in Wildalpen (WW 3) are more demanding, but after a tour and a "how-to" consultation, you will definitely like it. We will not miss a beautiful hike to Wasserlochklamm waterfall. We will also canoe/raft the Enns river which is the longest river that flows entirely within Austria, with a length of 254 kilometers. It is also known for its scenic beauty and popular activities such as white-water rafting and canoeing.

IMPORTANT!

We will be sleeping in cottages in a campsite Mooswirth - you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and mat, EUR coins for showers and some money for snacks (there is a grocery store in the campsite). Half board is included, but students will have to buy their own lunches. If you have any special diet, let us know! All equipment including wet suit, life jacket, helmet etc. will be provided.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Monday, September 18th:

Embark on a journey at 8:00 AM. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Enstalen Alps as you arrive at the Landl Lake campsite at 5:00 PM. After checking in and settling down, indulge in a scrumptious dinner at the restaurant followed by a free program of your choice.

Tuesday, September 19th:

Start your day with a delectable breakfast from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Depart from the campsite to the Enns River, where you will embark on a white-water rafting adventure through the Gesäuse National Park. During the rafting excursion, you will experience a brief canyoning activity in a brook that flows into ENNS. The Enns River flows through a narrow gorge in a rocky massif, forming several emerald lagoons that separate high 1-2 m rocky levels, providing plenty of excitement. Return to the campsite in the evening and enjoy dinner at the restaurant followed by a free program of your choice.

Wednesday, September 20th:

Savor breakfast between 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and then head over to the nearby Northklamm gorge. Here you will climb and descend using ladders and stairs through this romantic gorge, which also features the Kraushöhle cave. The Kraushöhle is the world's first electrically illuminated cave. In German-speaking countries, it is the largest gypsum cave and the only one where hydrogen sulfide is transformed into lime. In the gorge, you will also see the only stone mill in Styria that uses the power of water to produce perfect stone balls, which were used as cannonballs until the end of the 19th century. The guided tour takes approximately 1.5 hours. Then, head to the adjacent valley for the continuation of the white-water rafting course on the Salza River. Return to the campsite in the evening and enjoy dinner at the restaurant followed by a free program of your choice.

Thursday, September 21st:

Start your day with breakfast from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Board the bus to the starting point of the last section of the Salza River, where you will pass through unique conglomerate gorges. Return to the campsite in the evening and enjoy dinner at the restaurant followed by a free program of your choice.

Friday, September 22nd:

Enjoy breakfast from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, followed by a hike on a suspension bridge over Salza and a walk to the Wasserlochklamm waterfalls canyon. The entire path is 900 meters long with a vertical ascent of 325 meters. The paths and bridges were built over 7 years and opened up a total of 5 cascading waterfalls ranging from 4-39 meters high. Satisfy your hunger with lunch at the restaurant near the suspension bridge, which features specialties made from potatoes. Depart for Prague at 1:30 PM and arrive around 8:00 PM.

Learning Goals

Based on the trip described above, the participants can achieve several goals, including developing their outdoor and survival skills, improving their teamwork and communication abilities, enhancing their physical fitness and endurance, and experiencing new cultures and environments. Specifically, the trip can help participants learn how to navigate and survive in the wilderness, improve their ability to work effectively with others, develop their paddling skills, and appreciate the natural beauty and diversity of the Austrian landscape. Additionally, the trip can offer opportunities for personal growth, including building confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. Overall, the participants can gain valuable skills and experiences that can benefit them in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.

ISP Mission Links

Inspiring learners for life.  This could become a life-long skill.

Healthy, fulfilling and purposeful.  Exploring the nature via sports requires a healthy mind and body, is personally and professionally fulfilling,  and with the goal of both enjoying, learning about,  and preserving the natural environment.

Work Cooperatively and Independently.  Canoeing by its’ nature absolutely requires cooperation and support of each other.  No one ever canoes alone.   

An authentic global education within a nurturing student-centered environment.  This is a hands-on approach to learning.  Students are required to engage with the instructors, ask questions to fully understand their roles, to work in a controlled environment with the stated purpose of becoming proficient in canoeing and finishing all the tricky sections of the river.