Ardèche Trip 2024
This summer Woodroffe school once again revived something seemingly lost to the ages – a French adventure for year nines that was four years overdue. Sail France was an amazing experience for Woodroffe students and staff alike and one that was halted after 2019 when pandemic and other issues led to Rockley folding their French operations after 30 years with Woodroffe.
When I started at the school at the turn on the century, staff still talked about another trip, not to Biarritz and the lakes and coast of Les Landes, but to the Ardèche in Eastern France, which up until 1992 Woodroffe had been visiting since the ’70s. I started looking and we were soon planning something once again which I think was a brilliant experience for the current Year 10’s.
After testing themselves on the High Ropes and in the ancient caves (not everyone passed these tests), we were ready for the canyoning which essentially means going headfirst down naturally formed slides and through rivers and plunge pools in an enormous gorge. Some of this was simply brilliant and students found themselves jumping and falling their way down this beautiful part of France. As Adam Turley put it “The gorge was my favourite cause it just got better the further you went”. It ended with a ridiculous zip line that terrified one or two of the staff, but not the students. It was amazing to see how well adapted they were to each challenge and these adventures prepared the group for the kayaking.
The Ardèche river is a simply stunning location and the views are ever changing and breath taking. Whether power paddling down rapids or simply lying back and letting the gentle currents wash you downriver, there is something new around every corner. The frogs and fish are fun to spot, but so are the grasshoppers that unfold brightly coloured wings like butterflies and leap away. Eagles, vultures and kites circle overhead and we enjoyed glorious sunny weather (other than some light rain in the evening that meant we camped in tents as opposed to under the stars). There were many hilarious moments and this video captures a few. Mrs Petty, Mr Goodrick, Miss Papuza and myself would like to thank Year 9 for making it so much fun.
Mr Vine
