Autumn – officially paddled into in style!

On 19 September, the “Towards Autumn” paddling event took place, offering participants, guided by knowledgeable paddlers, the opportunity to discover the surrounding area from a different perspective – paddling along the Daugava and its tributaries between Aizkraukle and Jaunjelgava, learning more about the Dīvaja, Vecsērene, Kraukļupīte, Ašķere and Karikste rivers, and spending the day actively outdoors.

The day was filled with new impressions and discoveries – the tributaries of the Daugava were explored (in ancient times, each of them had its own harbour!), legends were shared, and we learned something new about Aizkraukle, where a village landscaping engineer with quite a remarkable past once worked, as well as about the Pļaviņas Hydroelectric Power Station and Jaunjelgava, where Lejaslīcītis is located – a place which, as it turns out, was never actually supposed to be there. And, along the way, a fisherman’s car, firmly stuck in the mud, was pushed free and sent on its way towards new adventures. After all, there is something rather special about listening to legends with wet sleeves and trouser legs!

A heartfelt thank you to Captain Jānis for his sparkling stories and for the opportunity to ride aboard the “Balta Kaza” and the motorboat “Āzītis”; to MMk laivas for delivering the canoes at exactly the right time; to the professionals who ensured safety on the water; and to the medic for the timely application of plasters, making sure the participants’ “paddling spirit” remained intact.

And the biggest thank you of all goes to every participant of the event! Thanks to you, the atmosphere in the group was wonderful, the kilometres passed with ease, and the waves and wind seemed much easier to overcome.

To quote Captain Jānis Zariņš – we were one incredibly great bunch!

The paddling event was organised by The water tourism center “Balta Kaza”, MMk laivas, Jaunjelgava Tourism Information Point and Aizkraukle Tourism Information Point.

Photo: The water tourism center “Balta Kaza” and Aizkraukles Municipality Tourism Department.

Information prepared by the Aizkraukle Tourism Information Point, 4 Lāčplēša Street, Aizkraukle.