This summer, 11 Officer Cadets from East Midlands UOTC took to the Ardeche River for a week of canoeing. Ex Cadet Paddle EMU provided a fun and exciting opportunity to develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, delivering the O2F canoe qualification. This successful expedition was made possible by the generous support of The Ulysses Trust.
The Ardeche region provided the perfect backdrop for 5 days of paddling. The scenic river and sunny weather were ideal for beginner paddlers. Day 1 started in Sampzon. Here we learned fundamental skills, including basic strokes, steering and capsize drills. With the high temperatures, we paddled early in the morning, giving us plenty of down time in the afternoons. As well as exploring the local river beaches, we visited Vallon Pont d’Arc, a scenic nearby town with plenty of souvenir shops and ice cream parlours! The Gite had a large outdoor space, perfect for barbeques, as well as a big projector for evening movie screenings!
Day 2 started in Sampzon again and was the first day of the Ardeche descent. We were introduced to our first rapids, as well as canoe chutes. These were scary at first, but these fears were quickly replaced with excitement and accomplishment. We were gently pushed into our stretch zones but soon got the hang of navigating tricky obstacles. The weather provided an additional challenge, with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning as we paddled down the river. The team paddled on resiliently through the downpour, with the surreal background lighting the way. The rain cleared and we made it to the iconic Pont d’Arc. The day ended with an unexpected test: a gruelling 2km paddle back upstream after overshooting the RV point. It was tough but forged a powerful sense of shared endeavour and respect of canoeing upstream.
The weather for Day 3 was much more pleasant. We switched to the Chassezac river, a narrower, more natural tributary to the Ardeche. This was much more technical, requiring constant communication between paddlers to navigate rocks and other obstacles. The day finished at the famous Labyrinth rapid, a notoriously challenging stretch of the river, made harder by the large number of tourists bathing. The groups successfully made it through the rapid. This was a test of the skills we had learned so far and was a great achievement for everyone.
Day 4 was another sunny day, and we returned to the Ardeche river to continue our descent. By now, navigating complex rapids and larger rocks had become significantly easier. We canoed through the stunning Gorges de l’Ardeche, finishing in record time. We made up for the extra time with a well-deserved dip to cool off in the crystal-clear water.
After a long, tiring Day 4, Day 5 offered a change in pace. We returned to the calm waters of Sampzon, where we had started on Day 1, to learn some traditional skills, including poling, lining and tracking. These last few skills completed the O2F qualification, concluding our expedition.
This was a fantastic trip and was the first of its kind for some time due to funding issues. The feedback was amazing, with 100% of participants agreeing they were more likely to continue paddle sports after the trip. Participants felt a sense of ‘great achievement’.
This trip was made possible by the kind contribution of the Ulysees Trust and will hopefully encourage the next generation of Officer Cadets to engage more with Adventurous Training opportunities, building teamwork, communication and resilience which will benefit them both in military and civilian life. This was an Officer Cadet led trip, and it is important not to overlook the value of planning and organising these expeditions. Participants have already expressed interest in running their own trips, building a sustainable legacy of leadership and AT trips for the unit.
Thanks to The Ulysses Trust, we didn’t just run a course; we provided a challenging, fun, and unforgettable experience that built a stronger, more resilient team and ignited a lasting passion for adventure. One participant said the trip ‘should definitely be run again’. This shows the positive impression our trip left, which would not have been possible without the Ulysses Trust.
