Woman from Neustadt successfully completed a 360-kilometer journey on a stand-up paddleboard.
Anne Kraatz, a paddleboard enthusiast from Neustadt, embarked on an extraordinary adventure earlier this year, paddling 360 kilometers along the Elbe River from Ústí nad Labem in the Czech Republic to Magdeburg, Germany.
The journey, which spanned two weeks, was filled with challenges and breathtaking moments. Kraatz encountered ten days of strong headwinds and a leaking seam on her board that required daily pumping. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, covering an average of 30 kilometers per day.
Kraatz started her adventure with a narrow-cut touring SUP and essential camping equipment. Along the way, she camped at campsites and watersports clubs, meeting fellow outdoor enthusiasts, including like-minded river paddlers and Elbe cyclists.
The Elbe connects Kraatz's old home of Saxony with her current home in Schleswig-Holstein, symbolising East and West. Kraatz crossed the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, passed Dresden, Meissen, and Torgau, and encountered diverse wildlife such as red kites, deer, pine martens, and white-tailed eagles.
One particularly hot day, Kraatz swam in the Elbe every hour, despite potential contamination concerns. She found the journey to be strenuous, inspiring, and meditative, cherishing small moments like an apple or cherries in the morning, a child waving at her from the shore, and observing wildlife.
Kraatz bought her first all-around SUP board during the pandemic and now uses a professional touring board for her journeys. She plans to continue paddling the Elbe from Magdeburg to Geesthacht in 2026, starting during the summer solstice.
Before embarking on this epic journey, Kraatz had previously completed multi-day tours on various rivers, including the Schwentine, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A helpful boat master of a canoe club vulcanized the seam on her board, making it airtight.
While a detailed itinerary of Kraatz's solo stand-up paddleboard journey is not publicly available, her journey serves as an inspiration for those seeking adventure and a connection with nature.
Kraatz's adventure travel journey elaborated her love for outdoor-living and lifestyle, as she paddled along the picturesque homes-and-garden landscapes of the Elbe River. Her sports-betting draining fight against headwinds and a leaky board showcased her relentless determination. Despite the strenuous nature of the journey, partaking in adventure-travel offered her moments of peace and connection with diverse wildlife. She aims to continue this sports-filled journey on the Elbe, further fueling her passion for paddleboarding and nature exploration.
