As my board glides across mirror-like water, sheer cliffs rise to impossible heights above my head. All I could hear at that moment is the rhythmic sound of my paddle slicing through the water. A massive waterfall cascades down the cliff across from me, but the sound is engulfed by the vast distance. The sheer scale of the landscape, with its dramatic vistas and serene beauty, creates a humbling experience, leaving me feeling both insignificant and profoundly connected to the natural world of the fjords.
Fjords
The Norwegian landscape was sculpted more than 10,000 years ago as massive glaciers advanced and retreated, sculpting the rock faces into precipitous cliffs. These towering stone walls have created winding passages, allowing the water to meander inland. Norway has over a thousand fjords, the largest of which is the Sognefjord, aptly referred to as the "King of the Fjords." It stretches about 205 kilometres (127 miles) inland from the coast and plunges to depths of more than 1,300 metres (4,265 feet), making it one of the deepest fjords in the world. Among its many branches, Nærøyfjord stands out as the most breathtaking, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unparalleled beauty.
Adventure
Begins Our journey begins on the banks of the enchanting Nærøyfjord. Here, vertical rock faces rise majestically from the water, briefly interrupted by plunging waterfalls, and picturesque farms adorning the mountainsides, creating a breath taking panorama. It's no wonder SUP Norway leads tours across this fjord, paddling for five days and covering 45 kilometres of pristine waterways. The expedition crew assembles at a campsite the night before departure, packing their gear and getting acquainted, ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure along the rugged coastline.
The next morning, as we transported our gear to the shoreline, I felt the tone for our journey was perfectly set. Walking from our camp to the shore in Gudvangen, we passed a Viking Village complete with thatched roofs and men in full Viking regalia. Although it was merely a historical recreation, as I set my board into the water and secured my dry bag to the front, surrounded by my fellow adventurers, I couldn't help but imagine Vikings launching their boats into the same waters, embarking on expeditions into the unknown.
Nærøyfjord
As the name implies, Nærøyfjord is one of the narrowest fjords. Only 250m wide at some points, it is still a massive distance to paddleboard, as we make our way from one side of the shore to the other. As a group we make our way down the fjord, craning our necks up to see the cliffs and waterfalls far above. There is no wind or current, and we easily paddle across the calm waters.
The tranquility is swiftly interrupted by a ferry gliding smoothly up the fjord. The world around me remains a perfect mirror until the ferry passes, sending ripples surging towards me. The view beneath me begins to undulate; the reflection is so clear that it doesn't fracture, but instead rolls and heaves, momentarily inducing vertigo. Yet, just as quickly, it subsides, and the water once again transforms into glass.
The next morning, as we transported our gear Red Paddle Co boards to the shoreline, I felt the tone for our journey was perfectly set.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1350921236/1723190107/articles/gsubHjfWX1723199759483/oZOwRXfCS1723205804519.jpg]
Aurlandsfjord
Our days are spent paddling down Nærøyfjord, then turning west into Aurlandsfjord, another arm of Sognefjord. In the evenings, we pull up to the rocky edge of the water, unload our dry bags from the boards, and carry our gear ashore. Small meadows abound, providing grassy spots to set up our tents and make camp. SUP Norway prepares traditional Norwegian food for all our meals, which are mostly unique and delicious, though prawns with hard-boiled eggs was definitely a new experience for me. We wind down our nights around a campfire, sharing stories and conversations with our group, which hail from all corners of the globe.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1350921236/1723190107/articles/gsubHjfWX1723199759483/vqLV4dg7j1723205818173.jpg]
There are too many waterfalls to count, but that doesn’t stop our group from trying to explore each one. Some we paddle to where they pour directly into the fjord, while others we climb up the hillsides to reach, dipping into the swimming holes carved into the rock beneath the cascading water. But no paddle would be complete without swimming in the fjord itself. On our way back, we stop at the intersection of two fjords, the deepest part, to float in the sun and take turns diving off our b...
Fjords
The Norwegian landscape was sculpted more than 10,000 years ago as massive glaciers advanced and retreated, sculpting the rock faces into precipitous cliffs. These towering stone walls have created winding passages, allowing the water to meander inland. Norway has over a thousand fjords, the largest of which is the Sognefjord, aptly referred to as the "King of the Fjords." It stretches about 205 kilometres (127 miles) inland from the coast and plunges to depths of more than 1,300 metres (4,265 feet), making it one of the deepest fjords in the world. Among its many branches, Nærøyfjord stands out as the most breathtaking, earning its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unparalleled beauty.
Adventure
Begins Our journey begins on the banks of the enchanting Nærøyfjord. Here, vertical rock faces rise majestically from the water, briefly interrupted by plunging waterfalls, and picturesque farms adorning the mountainsides, creating a breath taking panorama. It's no wonder SUP Norway leads tours across this fjord, paddling for five days and covering 45 kilometres of pristine waterways. The expedition crew assembles at a campsite the night before departure, packing their gear and getting acquainted, ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure along the rugged coastline.
The next morning, as we transported our gear to the shoreline, I felt the tone for our journey was perfectly set. Walking from our camp to the shore in Gudvangen, we passed a Viking Village complete with thatched roofs and men in full Viking regalia. Although it was merely a historical recreation, as I set my board into the water and secured my dry bag to the front, surrounded by my fellow adventurers, I couldn't help but imagine Vikings launching their boats into the same waters, embarking on expeditions into the unknown.
Nærøyfjord
As the name implies, Nærøyfjord is one of the narrowest fjords. Only 250m wide at some points, it is still a massive distance to paddleboard, as we make our way from one side of the shore to the other. As a group we make our way down the fjord, craning our necks up to see the cliffs and waterfalls far above. There is no wind or current, and we easily paddle across the calm waters.
The tranquility is swiftly interrupted by a ferry gliding smoothly up the fjord. The world around me remains a perfect mirror until the ferry passes, sending ripples surging towards me. The view beneath me begins to undulate; the reflection is so clear that it doesn't fracture, but instead rolls and heaves, momentarily inducing vertigo. Yet, just as quickly, it subsides, and the water once again transforms into glass.
The next morning, as we transported our gear Red Paddle Co boards to the shoreline, I felt the tone for our journey was perfectly set.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1350921236/1723190107/articles/gsubHjfWX1723199759483/oZOwRXfCS1723205804519.jpg]
Aurlandsfjord
Our days are spent paddling down Nærøyfjord, then turning west into Aurlandsfjord, another arm of Sognefjord. In the evenings, we pull up to the rocky edge of the water, unload our dry bags from the boards, and carry our gear ashore. Small meadows abound, providing grassy spots to set up our tents and make camp. SUP Norway prepares traditional Norwegian food for all our meals, which are mostly unique and delicious, though prawns with hard-boiled eggs was definitely a new experience for me. We wind down our nights around a campfire, sharing stories and conversations with our group, which hail from all corners of the globe.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1350921236/1723190107/articles/gsubHjfWX1723199759483/vqLV4dg7j1723205818173.jpg]
There are too many waterfalls to count, but that doesn’t stop our group from trying to explore each one. Some we paddle to where they pour directly into the fjord, while others we climb up the hillsides to reach, dipping into the swimming holes carved into the rock beneath the cascading water. But no paddle would be complete without swimming in the fjord itself. On our way back, we stop at the intersection of two fjords, the deepest part, to float in the sun and take turns diving off our b...
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Sup International (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 44 - Mid Summer 2024