24 – 26 february 2023
Welcome to the second Benelux Packraft Meetup! Let’s unite the growing packrafting community from Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg (BENELUX)
The Benelux Packraft Meetup 2023 will run from Friday 24th of February to Sunday 26th of February.
In f*cking winter!?
YES! The more interesting sections of the Belgian free flowing rivers are accessible only during autumn/winter, if water levels are high enough. These sections offer great opportunities to practice safety and paddling skills and give multiple options for microadventures in the Walloon region. Be careful, paddling in winter also brings challenges, so come well prepared
These winter conditions create circumstances in which you need to know what you are doing and use suitable equipment. Bad clothing does exists.
Program
FRIDAY
On Friday, prior to the Benelux Packraft Meetup, there will be a one-day introduction course to whitewater paddling. This is a beginner course and aims to give you the confidence to paddle the available rivers in the Ourthe valley.
All information on this one-day course can be found here.
BENELUX PACKRAFT MEETUP
Arrival starting from Friday afternoon. Event ends on Sunday evening.
Obviously, we will go paddling on saterday and sunday, but plans are made on the spot, at your initiative and based on different skill levels. The region offers a lot of opportunities, for example:
* Sûre from Martelange
* Ourthe Occidentale from Pont de Berguème
* Hike + Packraft Maboge – Nisramont
On Saturday, there will also be a bikerafting workshop with Veloraft Adventures.
All information on the rivers from the Ourthe valley is available through the button. The Whitewater Level depends on the water level, but never exceeds 2-3 on the accessible sections of the Ourthe rivers (incl. Ourthe Oriental & Ourthe Occidentale).
There are no organised workshops yet. If you want to offer something, please get in touch through the subscription form so we can get it organised.
SATURDAY EVENING
On Saturday evening, we will screen one or more packraft movie(s) to get you inspired for future trips and expeditions. Cosy and warm inside the bar of the campsite!
Location & Accommodation
Camping Pont de Berguème, Berguème 9, 6970 Tenneville. Check them out!
The Benelux Packraft Meetup will be organised from Camping Pont de Berguème. This camping is located on the banks of the Ourthe Occidentale and offers great access to several river sections in the Ourthe valley.
We will provide a central meeting point with shelter. The campfire will get you through the cold winter evenings. You are responsible for your own accommodation and meals during the Benelux Packraft Meet-up.
TENT: A spot for your tent is already booked, but needs to be paid by yourself on the spot.
CAMPERVAN: The camping has several spots for campervans. You have to book the cabin yourself on the camping’s website. Please mention the Benelux Packraft Meet-up in your reservation.
CABIN: The camping has wooden cabins available (min. 2 nights). You have to book the cabin yourself on the camping’s website. Please mention the Benelux Packraft Meetup in your reservation.
~ The camping offers free hot showers! =) ~
Safety
You are responsible for your own safety during every aspect of the event.
Safety is crucial and our community has a big responsibility to improve awareness for the risks of packrafting. It is obligatory to bring at least a CE approved whitewater helmet and CE approved whitewater PFD.
EXTRA GEAR
We have drysuits, PFD’s and helmets for rental. Please mention your interest through the registration form and we get in touch.
Registration
Join us for the first Benelux Packraft Meetup! Your registration consists of two parts:
- Fill in the subscription form below. Your information is only used for communication about the Benelux Packraft Meet-up.
- Make a donation to River Cleanup, at your own possiblities. Donations are processed by Koning Boudewijnstichting for Vrienden van River Cleanup vzw. Make your donation
The subscription here only informs us that you are attending the Benelux Packraft Meet-up and does not include any additional costs, like camping, meals, transport, etc.
There ar 50 available spots for attending the Benelux Packraft Meetup.
Support River Cleanup
The registration for this Benelux Packraft Meetup is free, but we would like to ask you to make a donation to River Cleanup. This organisation is doing a huge, worldwide, effort to clean our rivers from plastic and other human waste. They are still organising regular clean-up events in the areas that suffered from the July 2021 flooding event in eastern Belgium. All support is needed.
1 euro = 1 kg of trash
Please contact us for more information, feedback or questions about the meetup.