Millau is one of the best destinations in Europe for outdoor sports enthusiasts. It doesn’t matter if you're into climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, bouldering, or whitewater kayaking - Millau has positioned itself as the French capital of outdoor sports outside the Alps. Having been the host city of the Natural Games for over 10 years is just another example of how deeply outdoor sports are rooted in this charming southern French town.

The Stade d’Eaux Vives de la Maladrerie has one of the best and most reliable freestyle features in Europe. Paddlers from all over the continent travel here to fine-tune their freestyle tricks and combos.

For us, the Natural Games Festival means a freestyle competition on Saturday and a boater cross and SUP race on Sunday! Additionally, many interesting workshops happen around the festival area. In the evening, we will join the crowd to listen to the outdoor live music - we will need you to follow a few rather strict rules here! The concert zone is huge, and we don't want anyone to get lost.

FLY IN/OUT & PICK UPS -You should aim to arrive at Barcelona or Girona airport on Wednesday 28.06.2023 after 18:00. We will come to pick you up when the last paddler arrives.

DROP OFF – If after the Natural Games you are staying with us for the Adriansito's Come Together 3.0 you don't need to bother about this one. For flying out after Natural Games, please book your flight on Sunday 02.07.2023 - from Girona (GIR) leaving after 18:30 or from Barcelona (BCN) leaving after 20:00.

GAME PLAN

DAY 1 & 2 - 29-30.06 - We will make the most of our time in Millau to get ready for the freestyle competition. With at least two sessions per day you will have more than enough time to get used to the hole and shine at your brightest. With our help you will be able to polish your most reliable tricks and improve the combos. We will give you the secret tips that normally only locals know and have as their advantage.

DAY 3 & 4 - 1-2.07 - This is going to be a pretty full-on weekend with Saturday being a day of freestyle kayaking competition and Sunday a boater cross and whitewater SUP races! If you are staying with us for Adriansito's week we will drop you at your hosting family's place in Girona. If not, we will drive you to the airport straight after the Sunday races.

INCLUDES

✔️ Loco Parentis (24h supervision) from point of drop off until hand over or check in completion at return airport.​

✔️ All meals included except one eat out and meals during travel.​

✔️ Accommodation in the cabin style in Millau.​

✔️ World class, personalised, low-ratio coaching led by Quim Fontané & Agata Sobieraj when preparing for the competition.​

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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 and a freestyle kayak.​

➕ A suitable travel insurance.​

➕ About €40,00 spending money.​

WHAT IS THE NATURAL GAMES?​

It is an international outdoor sports festival that gathers athletes from varied disciplines, including kayaking, paragliding, climbing, downhill, slackline, and SUP. Millau has been the host city of the Natural Games for over 10 years, and it is just another example of how deeply outdoor sports are rooted in this charming southern France town. For us, the Natural Games mean the freestyle competition, boater cross, and optionally a SUP whitewater race.

WHAT BOAT SHOULD I BE BRINGING WITH ME?​

During the Natural Games, we will only need our freestyle kayaks. If you would like to participate in the boater cross, the organizers typically provide all racers with half-slice kayaks, so there is no need to bring your creeking kayak.

WILL I BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE LIVE CONCERTS?​

Live concerts are the essence of the Natural Games, and we would love for you to feel the true vibe of the festival there. However, as the area is quite large, we will need you to follow some rules that we will explain at the beginning of the camp."

DISCLAIMER: Not following the rules will result in an early ticket back home. We are very serious about it.

HOW DOES THE ACCOMMODATION LOOK LIKE?​

We will be staying on the campsite not far from the main festival area. You will share a room in a cabin with another EWWS or Salt-Ter paddler. We will do all the cooking together which will give you another great opportunity to get to know the group!

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 SORT OF STUFF DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?​

The summer in Millau is normally hot and stormy. Bring with you some suncreamand a raincoat. As we will be based in cabins it would be great to take sleeping bags. Don't forget all the kayaking gear including your spray deck, dry top (short and/ or long sleeve), helmet, life jacket and paddle.

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.

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.

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