Soča 2024 - From summer to snow-covered peaks

Who would have thought that a single sentence spoken in the sunny Soča Valley in September 2024 would haunt me for an entire week of the course and longer? Andi and I were sitting on the balcony of the small apartment at Camp Toni after a day of an open course, reflecting on the day and discussing the next courses. We agreed that this year we were once again sitting in paradise, getting "Soča at its best". And then my sentence.

We've been lucky with the conditions so far: Mostly sunny, not too much water on the river, so that the open courses were able to hone their technique perfectly while still enjoying the fantastic scenery.

And our participants enjoyed it too. With four open courses, we were out and about on the routes of this valley in August and into September. Mostly on the water, sometimes in the water, sometimes through wild water and sometimes drifting through the beautiful landscape. And always in the evening and morning in the conviviality of the camp.

And so at some point, the open courses came to an end and we looked at the progress course.

I then said: "But a little water would be good for the progress course". As if he had suspected it, Andi looked at me insistently and said that you'd better not wish for something like that.

The weekend before the Advanced course arrived and with it came the rain. The little water I had wished for arrived quickly, and then there was much, much more. So much that on the first day of the course - a highlight of the year for us and the participants - we stood on the banks of the Soča and seriously considered whether and where to go on this raging river. The first two days of the course literally almost fell through.

But it wasn't an Advanced course for nothing, so after a long safety briefing we rocked the waves together. Judging by the shining eyes of the people, it was probably one of the most impressive paddling experiences they've had with us to date.

And so, once again this year, everything went well on the Soča, even the weather and the water level adapted to our course system.

And right at the end, just before we packed up camp for the year, the snow came down on the surrounding peaks. Paddling there again, with the water level up, the peaks covered in snow and hardly anyone left in the valley, was surreally beautiful.

Either way, it is and remains one of the most beautiful valleys in Europe: for paddling, but not only. Also for eating, hiking and enjoying life. And apparently it's not just us who feel that way. Because in September, we received some lovely feedback from Peter via our virtual LWA community:

“Even though it has been three weeks now, it was a wonderful and unforgettable few days on the Soča. Especially for me as a complete WW newcomer, it was probably the best possible start. We had a fantastically motivated group, a stunning backdrop and, last but not least, two super lovely guides in Andi and Sebastian. I am now highly motivated to continue straight away.”

Fancy exploring this beautiful valley?