KAYAK SJOA
RATES & AVAILABILITY
* Guided trips, multi-day descents and tandem kayaking are available from 1 May to 1 October.
* We meet at 9am (trip start time), at the pre-planned take-out and/or put-in to drive the shuttle. We like it a lot when you are ready & pre-geared up. This will give us more river time together.
* Rates are charged, per person per session in Norwegian kroner.
* Return guests, members of Norwegian kayak/paddle clubs and trips that are 4 days or more receive a 10% discount.
* A photographer is available on request at an additional rate. They will document your experience and the images will be available as digital negatives.
* Please see Terms & Conditions for more details.
EQUIPMENT & RENTAL
* Provide your own Kayak, PFD, helmet, drysuit/wetsuit, paddle, deck & airbags. Throw-bag & Rescue gear.
* Kayaking equipment rental is limited to Kayak Sjoa guests. Let us know early if needing rental equipment. Rates are charged per day.
* Kayak Rental from Strie Strømmer whitewater store in the village of Heidal is your best option. They have a modern fleet in various shapes and sizes.
* River Wear = Thermal layers with drysuit or a combination of long-john wetsuit, 2 x wool/thermal layers under a dry top, wool socks, river booties or river shoes. Skull caps and gloves/pogies are recommended for the early spring and late autumn months.
* Dress appropriately for river conditions, rescue, water temperature and portage terrain.
GOOD TO KNOW
* A good day on the river requires a healthy body & mind.
* We advise our guests to have their own personal adventure travel and medical insurance.
* Missed rolls and swims will always happen, however as a general booking condition, an eskimo roll is required as a minimum to join a Kayak Sjoa guided tour, instruction trip or multi-day descent.
* A vehicle to help with shuttles. Let us know if arriving in the Sjoa Valley by bus or train.
* We will provide tea/coffee and a light snack about halfway on the river trip, Provide your own full meals and refreshments, except for our Multi-Day Descents.
* We will help determine section of river, based on your past & recent paddling experiences and current waterlevels. If we have not paddled together before, we may start with Grade 1 or 2 warm-up.
* The final decision on river route or section of river is decided the day before and may even be finalised the day of kayaking and communicated via phone/sms.
* We appreciate if you fill in our booking form during the request period, as this enables us to fine tune your requests and does not mean you have too commit to the booking.
* In the summer months we are often out on the river working during the day, so generally respond to requests in the evenings by e-mail or phone. Leave us a message and we will get back to you when we get off the water.
SAFETY
* The Sjoa River has relatively easy roadside access for most sections and routes for evacuation.
* We are trained - Rescue 3 Norge - skilled & experienced in rescue & safety situations and take you on routes we know well.
* There will be a detailed safety brief & scenario plan prior to Kayak Sjoa sessions.
* We provide telephone, rescue equipment, 1st Aid kit, spare paddle & extra thermals on tours and trips.
* We provide a waterproof box for personal/medical items.
* In the event of high/flood waters on the Sjoa and/or its tributaries, we can move our guided tours and instruction trips to nearby watersheds like the Otta, Driva & Atna.
KAYAK SJOA GUEST TESTIMONIALS
It was simply an outstanding experience to paddle with the two of you for a week thanks to your way of guiding us. I can but hope, that it was not the last time - Markus Engler (Switzerland)
I really enjoyed kayaking with you last year. And I am planning to come to Sjoa together with my wife this year. Can you guide us too – 5 days? - Ivo Hammer (Estonia)
Thanks again for a great day on Thursday. Spent a couple of hours today in a small river at Bygdin training in/out eddies (with a draw/holding stroke) and the paddling techniques/excercises you showed me - and it really worked. So now I am all fired up and cannot wait for next season (and meanwhile learning the eskimo roll during the winter)...! - Anders Olstad (Norway)
Thanks you so much for three truly wonderful days. Not only was it fun - I can also feel how your guidance improved my paddling. So once again: Thanks! - Daniel Trier (Denmark)