Between Giants and Waves - Meet the Giants
Exploring ocean life above and below the water. First paddling with whales. Venturing into the rainforest. Continuing the great adventure amidst the wild nature of the North Pacific.
Seakayak and outdoor adventures. Wildlife discovery. Finding places where dreams may come true.
Exploring ocean life above and below the water. First paddling with whales. Venturing into the rainforest. Continuing the great adventure amidst the wild nature of the North Pacific.
I dreamed of moving freely amidst the unspoiled wilderness surrounded by modern people. I found exactly such a place in the Canadian province of British Columbia. This is the introduction to the first of seven chapters about a great adventure in the North Pacific.
The final third part of the story about an adventure in the Arctic part of the Atlantic Ocean. See how I circumnavigated the Norwegian Lofoten archipelago in marathon style on a sea kayak. Discover the beauty of pristine nature. Paddling after sunset. The next four days we paddled in rain and fog, a reminder that we were beyond the Arctic Circle.
Confronting Arctic North Atlantic's extreme paddling challenges - fierce headwinds, relentless waves, and the raw elements. Amidst unyielding rain and soaked gear, find breathtaking mountain vistas and serene Arctic wilderness. The sun shines like a new realm's gateway, offering shelter and fulfillment in one of Earth's most stunning landscapes, testing limits and resilience.
Embark on a riveting sea kayaking journey across Lofoten's archipelago, where a diverse international team faced unprecedented challenges. Amidst relentless rain, unforgiving headwinds, and chilling waters, our expedition unfolded, revealing the raw beauty and tempestuous spirit of the North Atlantic. Join us in this gripping adventure.
Experience a remarkable transformation from a capsized kayak mishap to epic Arctic expeditions. Follow the author's evolution from a novice to an endurance athlete, navigating uncharted waters, exploring coral reefs, and conquering the Danube's vast expanse. This is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the limitless potential of sea kayaking.
Dive into the untamed beauty of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, where mountains meet the boundless Pacific. Join me on a month-long sea kayaking odyssey, encountering whales, bears, and the wisdom of indigenous communities. 'Between Giants and Waves' is a tale of wilderness, self-discovery, and unforgettable encounters.
In one week I am going to take a 10 day sea kayak tour from the German city Passau to the capital of Slovakia – Bratislava. The journey which is 361 kilometers long starts under the dam on the river Inn, then it continues through the whole Austrian part of the river Danube and next to the Devín castle it crosses the Slovak border.
The temperatures were below zero in the last two months, so my trips to the water always took maximum of a few hours. In the winter I am practising on the Little Danube.
I finally managed it. In the spring when I started to kayak on Danube I said to myself that one day I would leave Bratislava and get all the way to Hainburg. Back then I found it really impossible. My kayaking skills were very poor and so were my physical abilities.
Last year I had the opportunity to float about a 2 km stretch of Klátovské rameno just before it flows into the Little Danube. It is a slow flowing river which impressed me by crystal clear water in it. I decided to explore it. I found that the entire area had been a national nature reserve since 1993.
It did not take a long time until I finished a tour from Vienna to Budapest. My kayak buddy Martin arranged a funny transport of our ships to Štúrovo. Roof kayak holders are for kids! We used a truck. :)
And off we go. We met shortly before 8 am in Karloveská shipyard from where we went to the Vienna port by car. As usual, the biggest problem was to pack up for the ship. When it seems you have a lot of free storage space, you have probably forgotten something.
The end of this summer is here and in our latitude it is the last chance for an adventure in countryside with a nice weather during the day and not too cold nights. I decided to take an advantage of months of practice on water with a sea kayak. I chose the longest river in the European Union, ...