You will be granted accesss to EWWS Easter Freestyle Camp Millau, France 2024.
Dates 23rd - 29th March 2024 CATEGORIES Freestyle Camps, Teen Camps Tags Chill vibes, Hole freestyle23/03/2024 29/03/2024
Millau, France
Quim Fontane
Agata Sobieraj
10 - 18 years
Barcelona (BCN) Girona (GRO)
Gîte
Fun & Hole Freestyle
13 spots
There are many reasons why Millau is such a beloved destination for EWWS paddlers. Millau is the ultimate freestyle training ground in Europe, the best place to improve your hole freestyle skills, no matter how experienced you are. From novice to world champs, Millau always offers a new challenge when it comes to improve your freestyle game.
The quality spot is coupled with guaranteed water releases and a friendly management of the local whitewater facilities that makes every stay super enjoyable. Accommodation is right next to the course and only a few minutes away from the lovely old town. Finally the Grandes Causses area offers many exciting alternatives to the hole boating, from a few quality waves that work whenever the course gets flooded as well as a number of quality whitewater classics that rank amongst the best runs in Europe.
FLY IN/OUT & PICK UPS -Arrival airports are either Barcelona (BCN), Girona (GRO) or Béziers (BZR). If you're flying to Barcelona you will need to choose a flight landing before 12:00AM on Saturday the 23rd of March, if you're flying to Girona the flight should land before 1:00PM and if you're flying to Béziers you should be landing before 3:00PM.
DROP OFF – The flight back home is from a different airport; from Montpellier (MPL) or Marseille (MRS) on Friday the 29th of March, aim to book a flight departing at or after 11:00AM.
GAME PLAN
Depending on the number and skill of the participants we may decide to do one or two training groups. Coaches will keep alternating groups to ensure all paddlers get to try the different coaching styles and methodologies. Expect to do 2 sessions on the water every day. Most of the sessions will take place on the features of the whitewater course although if water levels are right we might head to the nearby waves of Vague de Pinet and le Figuier or the epic whitewater sections that both the Tarn and the Dourbie offer.
Of course the primary goal of the camp is to ensure paddlers have a great experience paddling abroad with other paddlers of similar ages. We believe that whenever our students have fun progression unfolds, that's why ensuring everyone has a great time is our first priority. The focus of course will be on improving the current freestyle ability of the participants, no matter what their current level is. We at the EWWS coach from novices to freestyle World Champions and have the knowledge, tools and experience to ensure we deliver coaching that is adequate for each participant and align to their current goals, whatever they might be.
INCLUDES
✔️ Loco Parentis (24h supervision) from point of drop off until hand over or check in completion at return airport.
✔️
✔️ Accommodation in the traditional French Gite in Millau.
✔️ World class, personalised, low-ratio coaching led by Quim Fontané, Agata Sobieraj.
✔️ All meals included except one eat out and meals during travel.
YOU WILL ASLO NEED
➕ Flights, in case you need to fly in or out at the beginning and end of the camp.
➕ Your own kayaking gear. If you don't have or cannot bring your freestyle boat the EWWS has a complete fleet of recent models for rent. Boats can be rent starting at 25€/day.
➕ A suitable travel insurance.
➕ About €80,00 spending money.
AM I GOOD ENOUGH TO JOIN THIS CAMP AND THE EWWS?
If you have basic freestyle skills and can roll on flat water, then you are ready to join the EWWS for this trip to Millau. Millau is a truly friendly destination, yet the quality of its features makes it an amazing destination for top-level paddlers as well. No matter your current skill level, Millau is an epic introduction to the EWWS, and a camp most paddlers will want to repeat. Millau is just fantastic, and you're going to love it!
WHAT BOAT SHOULD I BE BRINGING WITH ME?
You should bring with a freestyle boat. If you don't have or cannot bring your own boat the EWWS has a complete fleet of recent models for rent. Boats can be rent starting at 25€/day.
WHAT KAYAKING GEAR DO I NEED TO BRING?
Millau can be cold by the end of March. Expect temperatures to range from 10-20ºC. It is normal for weather to be quirky in Millau at this time of the year, it can be windy and rainy, or both! We must dress accordingly.
You will need to bring long sleeved dry gear, at least 2 long-sleeve thermals and something to cover your legs with - either drypants or wetpants. A drysuit does also work but it isn't always the first choice for some of advanced freestyle paddlers who find the suit a bit heavy and limiting. Bringing a thruster is also advised.
The good news; we will have changing rooms and showers at our disposal at the course, which really do make a difference after a long session in the cold.
HOW DOES THE ACCOMMODATION LOOK LIKE?
The French Gite looks like a youth hostel with a lot of shared space for board games. We also have cooking facilites where we will prepare our own meals. You will be expected to help us with some of the home duties such as setting the table, washing dishes or carrying the trash.
MY ENGLISH IS NOT THAT GOOD… IS THIS OK?
Can you think of any better opportunity to study English without even noticing it? Sessions will be run in English but in case you don’t understand or you have any questions, our coaches do speak French, Spanish and Catalan. Other Burners may be able to help you as well. Don’t worry, we will find the way to understand each other and your English will improve by the day!
WHAT OTHER STUFF DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?
We will be sending out a detailed list with all the things you'll need to bring once we get close to the camp. However, in short you will need; sleeping bag, documents (ID, passport…), some pocket money, your favourite board game, a book, an open mind, lots of motivation…
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO MINORS NEED TO FILL TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ABROAD?
We will send out a IN LOCO PARENTIS FORM you will need to fill and sign. Some airlines require an authorisation form for minors traveling alone. We will also require a scan of the passport.
HOW DO I BOOK MY KAYAK ONTO MY FLIGHT?
It is generally easy to book your freestyle boat onto most airline companies. However, some companies have length limitations that would exclude most creekboats. It is important to read the sport baggage policies of the companies you are considering to fly with before booking your ticket. Here is a quick breakdown of the fares of various popular airlines:
Ryanair - 35€ for the regular Sports Equipment, 55€ for a Large Sports Item. It is possible to check in up to 2 Large Sport Items per person per flight. The maximum weight allowed is 20kg, but you might be allowed to fly paying an additional fee of 11€/kg up to 32kg. In general quite a friendly company for both freestyle and creekboats.
EasyJet - The fee is 55€ and only one item per passenger is allowed. You can check in your kayak without problems as kayaks are amongst the items that are allowed on the airline's sports baggage policy. Up to 32kgs. Friendly for both freestyle and creekboats.
Eurowings - Up to 32kg allowed, it has a cost of 50€. Generally a friendly company for both freestyle and creekboats.
Norwegian Airlines - Max dimensions stated on website are 250cmx79cmx112cm. This is more than enough for any freestyle boat and borderline for most modern creekboats. Likely that they would not care about 20cm extra as width and height of the kayaks are much less than their max allowance. 32kg max. weight allowance makes it a good company to chuck your kayaking gear inside your kayak :).
Cost is very reasonable at 30GBP (if booked online) or 50GBP directly at the counter.
Vueling - Kayaks are not on the allowed item list, but surfboards are. You will most likely not have any problems convincing the employees your kayak is actually a paddleboard. The weight limit is 32kg and the maximum length 270cm, which is good for all freestyle boats and many creekboats. The cost is 45€.
Lufthansa - Kayaks are not on the allowed item list, but surfboards are. You will most likely not have any problems convincing the employees your kayak is actually a paddleboard. The maximum length allowed is 3,15m and the maximum weight is 32kg so this is a creekboat-friendly company. The cost is quite elevated, at 70 - 150€ depending if it's a domestic flight or an international flight.
Aer Lingus - Kayaks are not on the allowed item list, but surfboards are. You will most likely not have any problems convincing the employees your kayak is actually a paddleboard. The maximum weight allowed is 23kg and maximum length is 240cm, so freestyle boats are a go, but it is not a friendly company for creekboats. The cost is 40€.
Wizz Air - Kayaks are not on the allowed item list, but surfboards are. You will most likely not have any problems convincing the employees your kayak is actually a paddleboard. A slightly odd company as the price depends on the season and it's higher during the summer months and lower during the winter. Not the most kayak friendly company so better to be avoided if you travel with your boat.
We highly recommend that you book your sports equipment in advance to avoid higher fees in the airport check in, or even worse, finding out that the flight is full and not being allowed to bring your kayak with you on board.
Also, packing your kayak nicely in a bag or using a "sock" for surfboards will maximise the chances that everything goes smoothly and that you don't have any problems.
I AM UNDER 16 AND TRAVELLING ALONE. WHAT COMPANIES ALLOW U16s TO FLY IN THEIR OWN?
Ryanair - This company does not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 years to travel. U16s can travel only in case there is a responsible adult over 16 years of age.
Easyjet - This company does not allow unaccompanied minors under 15 years to travel.
Eurowings - This company allows minors as young as 12 years old to travel unaccompanied. Children between 5 and 11 can also fly if they are accompanied by a sibling over 16 years of age. The company also offers an unaccompanied minors service at an extra charge for passengers younger than 12 years of age. DIRECT FLIGHTS ONLY!
Norwegian - Maybe the best company out there to fly if you are an unaccompanied minor as they accept ages ranging from 5 - 15. From 5 - 11 you will need to contract the Unaccompanied Minor Service. This service is available but only optional from 12-15 and once your 16 you'll be considered an adult.
Vueling - This company allows minors as young as 12 years old to travel unaccompanied. Exception - Italian kids must be at least 14 to be able to travel alone.
Lufthansa - This company allows minors as young as 12 years old to travel unaccompanied. Children between 5 and 11 can also fly if they are accompanied by a sibling over 16 years of age. The company also offers an unaccompanied minors service at an extra charge for passengers younger than 12 years of age, although it is also possible to book for up to 17yo. DIRECT FLIGHTS ONLY!
Aer Lingus - This company allows minors as young as 12 years old to travel unaccompanied. DIRECT FLIGHTS ONLY!
Wizz Air - This company does not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 years to travel. U16s can travel only in case there is a responsible adult over 16 years of age.
REMEMBER: Some countries have specific requirements for any children under 18 years who wish to travel into, out of or within their country. You must contact the country’s embassy website or national authorities for more information before you make your booking, and commence travel as these requirements can vary depending on the country, and can change regularly.
1,150.00 €
If in doubt, please use the live chat in the corner to make sure the camp in Millau, France is suitable for your age and experience.
