Canyoning and canyoneering

Canyoneering and canyoning

Canyoneering and canyoning is first and foremost an outdoor sport. It is also an outdoor sporting activity. It consists of descending a section of river, which may be more or less narrow. What’s more, these canyons are made up of obstacles. These can be waterfalls, which can be negotiated either playfully or technically, using mountain equipment. This is also why there are no boats involved in this activity.

There are many places in the world where canyoneering and canyoning is practised. This activity is then known as “canyoning”. But it also goes by other names depending on the language, such as “canyonisme” in France, “torrentismo” in Italy, or “barranquismo” in Spain. It is also known as “canyoneering” in the United States. This name refers to the work of certain archaeologists in search of traces of past life in the canyons of the UTAH in particular. It can also be used in the form of “canyoneering”. This activity emerged gradually in the 1980s. It was mainly initiated by French mountain leaders and guides, notably from UCPA, as well as speleologists. It took shape in Spain, in the Sierra de Guara, in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees.

Diploma for canyoning guide

Canyoning certificate

First of all, UCPA was the first institute to set up a canyoning training course. Called “Animateur sportif de collectivité option canyoning”, it gave the right to supervise groups in canyoning. At the time, this activity was also mainly supervised by professionals in caving, white water and mountain guiding.

Then, faced with the growth of this activity, the French government decided to introduce specific training. To do this, it created a qualification called AQA (Accompagnateurs Qualification Aquatique). This qualification was designed for French state-certified potholers, high-mountain guides and rock-climbers. It also enabled “AMM” and “Eau vive” professionals to obtain an equivalent qualification. At least for those who could prove they had experience in canyoning and canyoning supervision. Over time, however, canyoning came to be seen as an activity in its own right. As a result, the government decided to create the “Diplôme d’Etat perfectionnement sportif canyonisme” or DE canyon. As a result, training and supervision in canyoneering and canyoning in Europe are becoming increasingly structured.

Odyssey Canyon canyoning trips are only supervised by full qualified guide instructors.

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