Whitewater Kayaking on the Soca River

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Kayaking on the gorgeous Soca River is one of the best outdoor adventures in Slovenia. The emerald green river has calm water and whitewater for all abilities. While paddling the river, the Julian Alps’s majestic slopes tower around you. You will share the river with fly fishing enthusiasts casting for the indigenous Soča trout.

The center of whitewater sports is the town of Bovec, with numerous outfitters and tour companies for kayaking and rafting the river. There is also hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in the area.

However, the best way to see the stunning Soca River valley is by boat. In my case, it was by an inflatable kayak. We had a delightful paddle on Class I and 2 whitewater with Fillip, the owner of Bovec Sport Center.

Combine the thrill of whitewater descent with the breathtaking scenery of the Soca River Valley. Mountains rise up around the aquamarine green water. One section is a literal scene from Narnia, as the movie was filmed here. The Soca River has its source in Triglav National Park, in the northwest corner of Slovenia. It flows south in its emerald-green glory and is regarded as one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe.

Kayaking the Soca River with Bovec Sport Center

Bovec Sport Center is an outstanding adventure company. I admired their philosophy of adventure. They were committed to an authentic experience that included small groups, taking time on the river to enjoy the natural scenery, and having a group connecting experience at the end by sharing a glass of elderberry blossom juice and local gourmet dessert that tasted like a sweet dumpling.

My travel goals always include finding time with locals to share stories, laughter, and interesting tidbits. Gathering around the table after the kayak trip was a perfect way to accomplish my goal. The authenticity in the conversations we had will be a memory cherished as much as the adrenaline-pumping kayaking.

With so many whitewater companies only interested in “pushing rubber down the river” in pursuit of dollars, the philosophy of Fillip and Maja, the owners, was so refreshing. They consciously decided to do fewer trips in a day so they could spend more time with their guests.

The company is also concerned about sustainability. They collect rainwater in tanks to use to wash the wetsuits and flush the toilets.

The gear issued for the whitewater trips is top-notch. Newer model wetsuits, paddling jackets, wetsuit booties, helmets, and life jackets make the cold water experience warm and safe. The inflatable kayaks designed by Fillip specifically for the Soca River are super buoyant, stable, and easy to paddle. Since they can handle bigger water even with beginner paddlers, the range of rapids possible is wider than with hard shell kayaks. We were able to do a part of the rafting route with its bigger water due to the versatility of the inflatable kayaks.

Kayaking Trip on the Soca River

The Bovec Sport Center kayak trip on the Soca River starts at their outpost just outside town. They have a campground and a challenge course at their facility. We collected wetsuits, life jackets, helmets, booties, and paddle jackets for our adventure. Then there was a 15-minute van ride to the river put-in.

We pulled on our gear in the parking lot, however, there are restroom facilities for changing. Fillip started with a lesson on safety and paddling techniques. He showed us how to use the thigh straps in the inflatable kayak to brace in the boat.

Once we were on the river, Fillip, in his hard shell kayak led all the duckie boats through the rapids. The inflatables are much more forgiving than plastic kayaks. Therefore, less experienced paddlers can enjoy the rapids on the section of the river we did.

However, the boats are not invincible. I hit a sharp bit in a rapid, punctured my kayak, and went for a swim. They got me back into another kayak when Fillip’s son gave me his and hiked out. It made me realize that it’s fairly easy to do a rescue on this river because the road parallels the river.

The fabulous scenery and the emerald-green water continued through the entire river descent. We passed merganser ducks floating in eddies. At the take-out, we rode in the van back to the center for a delicious local snack and conversation with our paddling team and the family. It was the perfect ending for the adventurous whitewater kayaking trip.

Related post -> Kayaking Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

Accommodations in Bovec

Bovec Sport Center offers two apartments for rent in the center of Bovec named after their sons. We stayed in the two-person Jakob apartment. It is a sparkling clean, well-equipped studio that makes a great base camp for outdoor adventures in the Soca River Valley. The Luca apartment which has space for 4 people is also available.

Another desirable accommodation in Bovec is the Boutique Hotel Dobra Vila Bovec. Located in town, this historic hotel offers an exceptional breakfast and beautiful surroundings.

Travel to Bovec

There is a bus from Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, that takes about 4 hours. I found the easiest way to get around Slovenia was by rental car. The roads are well-maintained and other drivers are courteous. If you plan to go into the mountains, the roads are quite windy with numerous switchbacks. If you take it slow, you’ll be fine.

I used my favorite car rental company, Discover Cars, to get a fantastic car for the trip. Discover Cars works with reputable companies offering great cars at good prices. I had a flat tire on my trip and the company was super helpful in getting it fixed to get me on my way.

Wrap Up of Kayaking on the Soca River

While there are many outdoor adventures in the Soca River valley, I highly recommend a kayak trip with Bovec Sport Center. The inflatable kayaks are easy to paddle through the rapids making exciting whitewater available to all skill levels. The personal touch of the family that runs Bovec Sport Center is another reason to try out adventures with them. I was pleased to get photos of the memorable day in my email soon after the trip. It’s these little touches that make for a fantastic experience.

The Soca River trip was sponsored by Bovec Sport Center. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experience.

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