Just registered for the Gauja XXL River Quest 2025 in the C2MEN class, our main event in 2025.

We are officially registered for the Vohandu Marathon as boat #697.

Our new paddles came in today. Quite thrilled to take them out for a first spin next week or so!

One of our favourite pieces of essential #canoeing #kit: A Lifestraw "Mission 12L" by #westergaard. It has been with us on all of our trips to the #yukon and other places. Both of us are carrying Lifestraw "Sips" in our individual survivalkits.

#adventure #canoeingadventures #survival

Pike, potatoes and carrots make up about 60% of our diet when we are #canoeing in the Yukon. 'Tatoes and carrots keep really well and are a great carb source and pikes are plenty and easy to catch in the #Yukon.

Elias chilling with the "Toten Hosen" while floating down the Gauja.

Yes, the TWS looks grueling. In terms of length/duration and lack of sleep it is similar to the Gauja XXL in Latvia ... minus heat, portages and gators though :).

Yes, indeed. It's Europe's longest race. Our participation in the Loire race depends a bit on how we feel after the Gauja XXL and if we can make the logistics work. The Gauja XXL is the one that started it for us. It's one of the few natural rivers remaining in Europe.

I had an email exchange with Jon earlier this year and he was quite confident that we would make the cut. I do believe that we have a sufficient set of basic skills and the experience required. But, truth be told, we also want to be competitive and not just make it in the cut-off time.

Wow, a veteran! Sorry, I didn't realize. We were originally targeting '25 for our first entry but then decided that we aren't yet good enough to make the cut. So we are going to do the Gauja XXL (420K)and the Loire 725K next year and then we will hopefully be in Whitehorse in '26.

Ever considered the Y1000?

Ah .. where the photos were taken? Mostly Teslin/Yukon, some Pelly.

First #race of our season will be the #vohandumaraton in Estonia. Its 20th edition starts on April 19th, with more than 1500 paddlers expected at the starting line. While it is "only" 100 kilometers it is nevertheless quite demanding with multiple portages and a number of rapids.

Whipr, a #kickstarter initiative gone south is the basis for our winter #endurance training for the #canoe races of 2025. Combined with the great QZ app and a shortened paddle, it is a reasonable approximation of being in a canoe.

While we have paddled numerous #rivers that were bigger, longer, lonelier and wilder, the #Gauja in #Latvia will always be special for us after having paddled more than 2000 km on it.

Team @flowmads.de after having finished their first full #paddle of the #Gauja in #latvia from #Taurene to the #BalticSea almost 10 years ago. This was the point at which we wanted to get into #wilderness #canoe racing.

some more (very basic) #wildlife and #nature photos from our last #canoe trip to the #yukon

Some photos from our last #canoe trip to the #yukon.

We just put an order in for a KickTheWaves Tripper, an ultralight carbon C2 USCA compliant racing canoe. Due to the long lead time, the boat will be available for us only in time for the Loire 725 race. But, we managed to lease one for the Gauja XXL.