WATER ROUTES
The unique charm of the Karelian lakes and rivers has been frequently exalted by athletes and beckons people back again and again. The upcoming race is sure to inspire everyone who embarks on the kayaking stage with a feeling that transcends description, joyful and wistful, despite the fatigue.
Here, the racers will be met with a tangle of large and small lakes, some combining into one large river and others separating into broad, glassy expanses, dotted with islands big and small. The banks of the large lakes are almost completely overgrown with reeds, and in some places it will be quite challenging to find the narrow 1-meter paths through them.
The Short class distance can be labeled “smooth water,” easy to navigate and unlikely to be complicated even by very strong winds. In other words, it’s “soft”.
By contrast, the Long class distance will be so full of obstacles and require so much effort that only the most strong and impressive teams will succeed in reaching the two CPs on the kayaking routes.
The route itself is not short, and the majority of the portages (which don’t always follow trails and amount to no less than 4 km) will confront each team with a clear ultimatum: if you have dared to challenge yourself, be prepared to give it your all, because there’s no way back. If you break down in the middle you will exceed the time limit and lose your chance to win the race.
On the narrow channels, especially if the water levels are low, it’s easy to damage your kayak. Be prepared to jump ship often. Plastic kayaks will have the advantage here. Nevertheless, most of the distance travelled will be over smooth water. However, participants should be aware that strong winds on the large open sections (with widths of 2-3 km) may create waves that can easily flip a kayak. You will encounter one big rapid that’s easy to portage.
Those who dare to pass the most complicated section of the Long course will be awarded with a unique and stunning section of the route. Its location will be kept secret up until the distribution of the course descriptions.
One of the routes of both classes will be travelled by following a beautiful satellite photo. Seen from above, the black water, green islands, and charming reed overgrowth are quite appealing.
It’s worth a reminder here, especially to inexperienced athletes, that it’s incredibly easy to get lost in the island network despite the deceptively easy route. From your low viewpoint in the kayak seat, all islands will look the same.
The temperature of the water depends heavily on the weather and also changes drastically from shallow to deep water. A rough estimate is that it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-20С°(48-68°F). The water in the Vuoksa River is always significantly colder than in the lakes.
Some parting words for the participants of the Long course: practice portaging your kayak efficiently. This could be a keen advantage. Don’t forget a repair kit. Additionally, the organizers of the race unequivocally recommend using lake kayaks in both classes.
Here, the racers will be met with a tangle of large and small lakes, some combining into one large river and others separating into broad, glassy expanses, dotted with islands big and small. The banks of the large lakes are almost completely overgrown with reeds, and in some places it will be quite challenging to find the narrow 1-meter paths through them.
The Short class distance can be labeled “smooth water,” easy to navigate and unlikely to be complicated even by very strong winds. In other words, it’s “soft”.
By contrast, the Long class distance will be so full of obstacles and require so much effort that only the most strong and impressive teams will succeed in reaching the two CPs on the kayaking routes.
The route itself is not short, and the majority of the portages (which don’t always follow trails and amount to no less than 4 km) will confront each team with a clear ultimatum: if you have dared to challenge yourself, be prepared to give it your all, because there’s no way back. If you break down in the middle you will exceed the time limit and lose your chance to win the race.
On the narrow channels, especially if the water levels are low, it’s easy to damage your kayak. Be prepared to jump ship often. Plastic kayaks will have the advantage here. Nevertheless, most of the distance travelled will be over smooth water. However, participants should be aware that strong winds on the large open sections (with widths of 2-3 km) may create waves that can easily flip a kayak. You will encounter one big rapid that’s easy to portage.
Those who dare to pass the most complicated section of the Long course will be awarded with a unique and stunning section of the route. Its location will be kept secret up until the distribution of the course descriptions.
One of the routes of both classes will be travelled by following a beautiful satellite photo. Seen from above, the black water, green islands, and charming reed overgrowth are quite appealing.
It’s worth a reminder here, especially to inexperienced athletes, that it’s incredibly easy to get lost in the island network despite the deceptively easy route. From your low viewpoint in the kayak seat, all islands will look the same.
The temperature of the water depends heavily on the weather and also changes drastically from shallow to deep water. A rough estimate is that it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-20С°(48-68°F). The water in the Vuoksa River is always significantly colder than in the lakes.
Some parting words for the participants of the Long course: practice portaging your kayak efficiently. This could be a keen advantage. Don’t forget a repair kit. Additionally, the organizers of the race unequivocally recommend using lake kayaks in both classes.
