Reflections From the 2025 Leg of a Long Paddle Home
Some journeys are defined by a single moment. Urban’s isn’t one of them. His circumnavigation of Europe by sea kayak is stitched together from thousands of small, vivid scenes — crossings that tested him, coastlines that welcomed him, and quiet offshore hours where the world felt impossibly wide.
As he puts it, “There were so many beautiful and powerful moments throughout the trip that choosing just one feels impossible… Every leg,every season has endless stories of its own.”
Still, a few memories rise to the surface.
Arrivals, Near-Misses, and the Edges of What’s Possible
One moment that lingers for him is the landfall on Ikaria after a gruelling crossing from Mykonos — a mix of exhaustion, relief, and something close to awe. “That arrival felt especially intense and memorable.”
At the other extreme sits a darker memory: nearly drowning on the west coast of France. A reminder that the sea gives, the sea takes, and the sea always has the final word.
Weather, Waiting, and the Art of Not Forcing Things
Urban’s route wasn’t dictated by tides or winds so much as shaped around them. He rarely altered the big picture. Instead, he waited —sometimes days — for the right moment.
“Weather comes and goes, and I had the time to wait for the right moment rather than forcing things.”
It’s a philosophy that threads through his whole approach:patience over pressure, rhythm over rush.
Gear That Lasts, and the Things We Let Go
Most of his equipment has been with him since Estonia —battered, trusted, and still doing the job.
“I like the idea of using things until the very end,until they no longer serve their purpose.”
But not everything earned its place. The laptop, for example, was mailed home — “one of the most useless things I’ve ever taken on a trip like this.”
Crossings That Shape a Kayaker
The journey has been physically and mentally demanding from the start. The first major test came early: Estonia to Finland. Greece brought its own challenges. Northern France delivered a brutal tide race that pushed him to the edge. And Ireland’s west coast? Relentless.
These aren’t just obstacles — they’re milestones in the making of a paddler.
Learning to Paddle, Learning to Belong
Urban’s technique transformed over the years, but one place stands out: Stockholm’s Brunnsvikens Canoe Club.
“I met many skilled kayakers there, in a truly beautifuland welcoming atmosphere. I certainly miss that place.”
It wasn’t just training — it was community.
Camp Life: The Quiet Half of the Journey
For all the drama of crossings and coastlines, camp life is where the rhythm settles. He rarely knows where he’ll sleep until he stops paddling. A quick scan of Google Maps, a patch of flat ground, and the ritual begins: move the kayak, peel off the wet gear, change into camp clothes, pitch the tent, cook, rest.
“Most of the time, I’m tired enough not to stay awake very long.”
It’s simple, repetitive, grounding — the counterweight to the sea.
The Peace of Being Nowhere
Ask him where he feels most alive, and the answer isn’t a dramatic coastline or a famous headland. It’s the open sea.
“Far offshore, with no land in sight… That’s actually my favorite place to be.”
Most paddlers hug the coast. Urban does the opposite.
Looking Ahead: The Big Crossings of 2026
The next leg brings ambition on a different scale. Icelandhas entered the chat — a crossing he never imagined attempting when he first announced the circumnavigation in Barcelona.
The idea arrived somewhere between Scotland and the horizon,and it hasn’t left him since. For the moment, he set of from Carsaig following the Midwest Kayak Symposium, headed to Oban, then Mull and is currently (14/5/26) on Coll waiting for the weather to improve before heading to the Hebrides and then St Kilda.
Advice for the Few Who Might Follow
Urban doesn’t pretend this journey is for everyone. But for the rare person who feels the pull, he offers this:
“Be obsessed with a goal and with making progress — to push through long stretches of dull moments and deal with difficulties.”
Obsession, not motivation, is what carries you around a continent.
Beginnings, Endings, and the Places We Arrive
He remembers packing his first kayak — overloaded,overprepared, and overflowing with excitement. “Those first days of paddling were incredibly intense and are still among the moments I remember most vividly.”
And he remembers ending the 2025 season at Tayvallich—tired, yes, but deeply content.
“I was tired — but also deeply happy to have found a place to arrive.”
