Soča – River Diving in Slovenia

by   Profile Gerald   When 21st April 2017
Taucherin mit zwei Äschen im Oberlauf der Save
A diver in the Soča River
Flussschnorcheln an der Soca
Entry to "3.Canyon" in the Soča River
Taucher im 3ten Canyon der Soca
Down in the Canyon
Taucher im 3ten Canyon der Soca
The old swing bridge above "3.Canyon"
Blick zum Einstieg des 2ten Canyon der Soca
The narrow Soča River at "2.Canyon"
Kajakfahrer auf der Soca - Ausflug entlang der Soca
Whitewater kayaking is very popular in the Soča River
Europa, Slowenien, Karst, julische Alpen, Fluss, Fluß, Flusstauchen, Fusstauchen in der Soca, Taucher, Fels, felsig, Strömung, Gebirgsbach, Strömungstauchen, Fliesgewässer, Fluss, Canyon, Tauchen im Gebirge, Flusstaucher | Europe, Slovenia, karst, julian alps, river, riverdiving, diving, coldwater diving
Down in "3.Canyon"
Europa, Slowenien, Karst, julische Alpen, Fluss, Fluß, Flusstauchen, Fusstauchen in der Soca, Taucher, Fels, felsig, Strömung, Gebirgsbach, Strömungstauchen, Fliesgewässer, Fluss, Canyon, Tauchen im Gebirge, Flusstaucher | Europe, Slovenia, karst, julian alps, river, riverdiving, diving, coldwater diving
At a narrow passage in "2.Canyon"
Europa, Slowenien, Karst, julische Alpen, Fluss, Fluß, Flusstauchen, slowenische Maromorata Forelle, Marmorataforelle, Fisch | Europe, Slovenia, karst, julian alps, river, riverdiving, diving, Marble trout, Salmo marmoratus, freshwater fish | Salmonidae, Salmo marmoratus
Juvenile Marmorata Trout
Europa, Slowenien, Karst, julische Alpen, Fluss, Fluß, Flusstauchen, slowenische Maromorata Forelle, Marmorataforelle, Fisch | Europe, Slovenia, karst, julian alps, river, riverdiving, diving, Marble trout, Salmo marmoratus, freshwater fish | Salmonidae, Salmo marmoratus
Marmorata Trout in the Soča River


As a child I went to Slovenia many times. My father was a passionate fly fisherman and Slovenia in the socialist period of Yugoslavia was an absolute secret hotspot. In the 1990s, Bovec became an insider's spot for white water kayakers and I returned once again as a passionate kayaker. I've gotten to know the Soča and fell in love with the river. I decided to  return to go diving as well.


Just a few kilometers north of Bovec, a junction leads up into the wild-romantic valley of Trento and the Triglav National Park.
There, the emerald green Soča gently gurgles over her gravel bed before streaming into a deep canyon some meters further. 


The river is rich in brook trout. The endemic Marmorata Trout is the largest European species there and can be recognized
by its dark pattern. It is, however, displaced by other types of trout, so you will often find mixed species. In some places, the river has dug deep gorges and holes into the rock, which are excellently suited for diving in the river. One of the best places is the "Third Canyon" which everyone knows in Bovec.


Over a swing bridge, one reaches the opposite bank and must look for a way into the water along quite a steep rock wall. You will
be rewarded for the uncomfortable entry with a magical underwater scenery of eroded rock formations which force the water into a slalom parcour. The water pushes you quickly through the canyon, until the ravine runs out into a wide gravel bed. At low water, in the autumn, you can start diving from here and dive against the flow direction into the canyon. The Soča is a mountain stream, which carries a lot of gravel and stones in the spring, so that the canyons are sometimes deep, and sometimes flooded with stones.


River diving is an experience in itself, but before you dive into the water with diving equipment, you should explore all parts of
the river you would like to dive. There are important cornerstones that should be considered: What is the safest way to dive? What is the pathway of the water? Are there hazardous waste or siphons in the river? How do I get out of the river
again? Also, you should always remember that the river can injure you. Make sure that you know the rescue procedure beforehand; take a mobile phone with you and deposit it safely at the landing place.


Autor: Gerald Nowak


You cannot look twice at the same river; for fresh waters are ever flowing in.


Heraclitus, „Die Vorsokratiker“, Matthias Hackemann (Hrsg.) 

Written by
Profile Gerald
Date
When 21st April 2017
Where
Location Vodenca 7, 5230 Bovec, Slowenien

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COMMENTS
ปั้มไลค์ on Jul 14th 2020
Like!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.
Jasper on Oct 27th 2017
Hi Gerald, Thanks for this report, it sounds amazing! I'm looking for places to go freediving in the Soca and this option looks really good. Do you know the approximate depth of these 2nd and 3rd canyons? And the names suggest there to be a 1st one as well? Thanks for your help, Jasper
Martin on Jun 04th 2017
Hi Gerald, fascinating pics and nicely written blog. What about freediving in the Soca ? Would that be a problem considering the kayakers ?
Stefan Michl on Apr 24th 2017
Always ready to explore the hidden....
Gerald on Apr 24th 2017
Hi Stefan, yes the Soca is one of the most beautiful rivers of Europe. I find them even more beautiful than the Maggia. Although I love the Maggia. We should soon go to Slovenia to visit the Soca and discover new rivers. There is much more ....
Stefan Michl on Apr 22nd 2017
Hi Gerald, Great blog. On river diving I just know the Verzasca and the Maggi in CH. Looks I need to go the other direction because diving looks very nice....!

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