Canyoning
“Caving above ground” or “Like climbing in the wet”.
![[ image: Canyonists try to negotiate dangerous territory quickly]](_406202_2canyoning150.jpg)
These
are both ways I’ve heard people describe canyoning. I’d have to agree
with both; but however you put it, canyoning has got to be one of the most
exhilarating of sporting experiences. This fast-growing adventure sport
combines skills and thrills of several other water sports and outdoor
activities. Climbing, abseiling and scrambling are fun anyway; but combine
them with tons of water and you’ve got something out of this world!
The sport is believed to have originated in France about 15 years ago, but its growing popularity has spread as far as Australia and New Zealand.
Abseiling down 30 foot waterfalls, down the side of gorges and into deep
plunge pools, scrambling over rapids and going with the flow down flumes
and eddies – this sport is guaranteed to get the adrenalin pumping. It
also makes for some inventive rigging and rope work to bypass those
sections which are a little too hardcore!
The ultimate in canyoning is to be had in our summer expedition to the Vercour in France… Just check out the shots below!
