Discover the ultimate Italian adventure with Gene17kayaking—a thrilling blend of world-class whitewater and rich cultural experiences. As early summer unfolds, the valleys of Valsesia awaken with crystal-clear meltwater cascading down smooth granite slides and bedrock rapids. This natural spectacle transforms Piemonte from a premier creeking destination into the perfect classroom for kayakers eager to refine their skills. Imagine navigating steep and technical waterways that are surprisingly forgiving, all set against a backdrop of ancient villages, charming cafés, and towering snow-capped peaks.
For a brief window each spring, paddlers from around the globe converge here to indulge in exceptional kayaking and the finest Italian cuisine and wine. With Gene17kayaking, you’re not just paddling—you’re immersing yourself in an unforgettable journey that marries adrenaline-pumping adventure with the glamour and sophistication of Italian culture. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or new to creeking, there’s no better place to elevate your skills while savoring the good life.
Join us in Valsesia and experience why it’s considered the world’s premier kayaking destination for lovers of whitewater, food, and wine.
New to Valsesia? Get to know the river, the season and the logistics before you book.
Read our complete valley guide →Your week
Arrival day. Settle into the apartment and take in the village of Campertogno
Hit the water! After a quick gear review and boat outfitting session, we’ll go for a chilled-out paddle on the Sesia. It’ll give us the chance to look at how you’re paddling and find out what you want to work on.
Today’s a technical skill review and the chance to set goals for the rest of the week. We’ll head to a low-volume river section and introduce you to some key concepts of dynamic river paddling, such as tracking, angulation, pro-active balance and driving your boat.
Boof! Our first real day on the bedrock will allow you to work on your essential techniques and the team’s group dynamics.
An extension of days 2 & 3, building on new techniques to shape them into skills. Again, we’ll be at another Valsesia classic creek.
A testing chance: another classic pool-drop river and a chance to get some photos as those skills become moves and lines to execute with flair.
Piemonte classic. We’ll head for an all-day trip with steep drops, scenic surroundings and world-class whitewater. The ideal finish to a perfect week
Departure day: time for a debrief and the end of the course.
What's included
Included:Guiding and Instruction†River shuttles† Our Coaching/Guiding solution is simply our first-rate excellent Coaching & Guiding and assistance with river shuttles
You will also require:
Accommodation
Catering
Airport Shuttle*
Kayak Rental**
Visa fees
Flights
Bar bills
Travel & Boat insurance
Kayak Rental
Tips
Can I rent a kayak & paddle in the destination?
In all our destinations we have developed great partnerships with local kayak rental outlets. We will help you secure a kayak of your choice. If you do not wish to travel with your own paddle, we have a handful of high end Werner Paddles all with straight shafts and 45ºR feather. We also have some breakdown split paddles that can be made into 0º & 45ºL feather. All available upon request. Note all equipment whether from a rental station or Gene17Kayaking is offered on a first come first served basis.
* An Airport Shuttle to and from Milan Malpensa Airport can be arranged with a local service, where the whole group can be collected. All arrivals to any of Milan’s other airports will need to make their way to Malpensa Airport for pick-up before 18:00 on the day of arrival. NB: Many people hire a car and make their way to Campertogno.
** Gene17 has access to a small yet excellent selection of kayaks for a range of different-sized paddlers, & these are available on a first-come, first-served basis ONLY
