Paddling the Salaca River: Inside Latvia’s Epic SUP King Marathon

With a decade of passion for stand-up paddleboarding under his belt, Ansis Dobelis has become one of Latvia’s key figures in the sport. Through his company Supfit.lv, he’s helped build a thriving local SUP community, organizing events, rentals, and tours both in Latvia and abroad. In partnership with EŽI events, Ansis is the co-creator of one of the Baltic region’s most exciting SUP adventures: the SUP King Marathon – Salaca 100. Launched in 2023, this unique 100-kilometer paddle down the wild and scenic Salaca River quickly captured the imagination of paddlers far and wide. As the second edition approaches on May 3, we caught up with Ansis to dive into what makes this race so special, what participants can expect, and how it’s helping put Latvia on the global SUP map.

Hello Ansis, can you tell who you are? What is your background in SUP that led you to organize this event?

I am a passionate SUP paddler, and it’s truly my biggest hobby. A large part of my free time is spent on SUP, and my work is also closely connected to it. I own a small company, Supfit.lv, which sells and rents SUP equipment and organizes various SUP events. We organize SUP events for companies in Latvia, tour with paddler groups abroad, and have been involved in organising some of the largest SUP events in Latvia.

Personally, this is my 11th SUP season. While I have participated in many SUP competitions, I’m more drawn to SUP touring, exploration expeditions, and long-distance paddles.

This is the second edition of the event—what inspired you to create it and how do you explain the event’s immediate popularity?

We have some great friends at the “EŽI events” event agency who are also fans of SUP paddling. For many years, Supfit.lv and “EŽI events” have been co-hosting SUP events. We often explore new rivers together and paddle long distances. One winter day two years ago, we started talking about how fun it would be to invite other paddlers to join us. It’s always more exciting and enjoyable in a group. That’s how the marathon idea was born… Choosing the location was easy because the Salaca River is beautiful, easy to paddle, and stretches exactly 100 kilometers from the lake to the sea.

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When we announced the first event, we were hoping for maybe a few dozen participants, but over 100 people signed up. It felt like SUP paddlers were craving this kind of adventure. We aimed to offer participants a challenge, an adventure and race at the same time. This allowed different paddlers to find their own motivation for joining.

We also try to create a safe and supportive environment to encourage participants to take on the challenge.

Another interesting fact is that both the marathon name—“SUP King Marathon – Salaca 100”—and the logo were created by artificial intelligence. We simply shared our idea, and it came out like this. So this year, we can say that EŽI events, Supfit.lv, and artificial intelligence are organizing the marathon together, as AI has become a great help.

Can you give more details on the location, the route, and the conditions expected on the Salaca river?

The river is located in Northern Latvia, close to the Estonian border. It starts from a lake Burtnieks and flows into the Baltic Sea, and the marathon route follows the entire length of the river.

The river is calm and easy to paddle. It’s not wide and has winding curves and offers a dynamically changing landscape. In the spring, up until June, the water level is high, making the current stronger and helping paddlers cover the long distance. But it’s still a calm river, with only a few mild rapids.

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There are just a few spots where paddlers need to be cautious about their fins getting caught. And if the water level is high, the risk is minimal. Most participants managed to avoid obstacles last year, although some did encounter a few underwater challenges. Before the event, we’ll send participants a detailed map indicating these spots and guidance on how to navigate them safely.

In May, the river is suitable for both inflatable and hard SUP boards. Last year, we had 138 participants, and only a few of them had some minor issues.

What makes the route unique is that there are no large cities along the riverbanks. Participants can enjoy forest landscapes, cliffs, meadows, and small villages throughout the entire distance. It’s a great adventure in nature, offering a peaceful escape from the fast-paced daily routine.

The event emphasizes both endurance and adventure—what advice do you have for first-time participants attempting such a long distance?

Embrace the journey and enjoy the nature and surroundings. Don’t focus too much on counting the kilometers to the finish, but rather savor the moment of being in nature and on the water. Don’t rush, especially at the start.

It’s great if, during the first 10 or 20 kilometers, you can find someone with a similar paddling pace. On such a long distance, everyone will have a moment when it gets tough. Supporting each other during those moments makes it much easier to overcome.

Also, paddling together is a chance to make new friends. From last year’s marathon we have stories of people meeting during the event and developing even closer relationships, with some blossoming into love.

It’s very important during a long-distance paddle to regularly replenish your energy—don’t forget to drink and eat. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to eat a little once an hour and drink every half hour. It really helps.

Of course, it’s worth preparing before the marathon. It doesn’t necessarily have to be long-distance paddling. Last year, we had participants who had never paddled more than 20 kilometers but were involved in other activities like cycling, running, or hiking. Any physical activity helps prepare for the marathon, and it’s good if it’s varied.

How can participants get to the starting point, especially coming from abroad, and what are the accommodation options before and after the event?

The starting point is about a 2-hour drive from Riga Airport, in a small village called Vecate. The nearest larger city is Valmiera, where you can find accommodation options, including hotels and rental apartments. I recommend arriving the day before the event, as the start is at 7:00 am on May 3.

You can easily find accommodation on Booking.com. The marathon website also has links to local accommodations near both the start and finish areas.

Registration at the start location will be open from the evening of May 2nd, where participants can pick up their race numbers and all necessary information. There will also be tent area at the starting point, which participants can use free of charge. Additionally, there will be an option to sleep in a nearby sports hall, but you’ll need to bring your own mattress, pillow and sleeping bag.

Participants can leave their belongings at the start, and we’ll transport them to the finish line. A bus will also run from the finish line to the start to help participants return if needed. The bus schedule will be available shortly before the marathon.

About two weeks before the event, we’ll create a communication platform where participants can coordinate travel from Riga to the starting point. This was very helpful for many people last year.

We’re open and ready to assist, so if there are any concerns about getting to the start or back to Riga, don’t hesitate to contact the organizers. We’ll help find the best solution.

How do you ensure participant safety, especially during night paddling or in case of emergencies?

We pay great importance on participant safety. Each participant will be equipped with a GPS tracker allowing their location to be monitored live online by both organizers and spectators in official marathon webpage. If anyone needs assistance, we will know exactly where they are. The GPS trackers are also equipped with an SOS button for emergencies.

There will be five evenly spaced checkpoints along the route where participants can get water, energy-boosting snacks, and minimal medical aid. Paddlers can also borrow equipment like paddles or fins if needed. If anyone is unable to continue for any reason, we will ensure safe transportation back to either the start or finish. In case of emergencies elsewhere along the river, we will provide immediate assistance.

At both the start and finish lines, professional medical teams will be on hand, and each participant will be provided with information on how to call for help during the race if necessary.

Additionally, each participant is required to have a flashlight as part of their mandatory gear. As the event approaches, we will send participants recommendations on the best lighting options for night paddling and other practical advice. Members of the organizing team will paddle as the last group in the race, ensuring no one is left behind without support.

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Beyond the competition, can you give us more details on the Latvian SUP race scene and tell us how this event contributes to the local SUP community and the development of the sport in Latvia?

Latvia’s Surf and SUP Federation is a member of the International Surfing Association (ISA). We host Latvian SUP Championships in all official disciplines: sprint, technical, and distance racing. There is also strong cooperation with our Baltic neighbors, and athletes from Estonia and Lithuania regularly participate in our competitions. Results from these events are counted in the overall Baltic Cup standings.

In recent years, special attention has been given to youth development in the sport. We host regional youth SUP competitions and the Latvian Junior SUP Championships in U14, U16, and U18 age groups.

There are also various amateur races taking place alongside the more competitive events.

This event would gather all kinds of SUP enthusiasts from beginners to pro riders. Many of them come and meet the previous evening when the registration starts and spend the evening together. It is a chance to connect with like-minded crowd as everyone has his/hers story before and especially after the race.

I imagine that the SUP King Marathon – Salaca 100 is also a great opportunity to explore Latvia. What would you recommend for visitors?

If after the 100-kilometer marathon you’re still eager to paddle, Latvia has plenty of beautiful rivers, pristine lakes, and a long sandy Baltic Sea coastline to explore—especially in the regions surrounding Valmiera and Limbaži, where the marathon takes place.

Riga, the capital, boasts more than 500 kilometers of coastline made up of rivers, lakes, and the sea. Most of water is safe for paddling, with restrictions only in a few nature reserves. The Latvian capital has plenty of opportunities for various entertainment and it is only one hour drive away from the race finish in Salacgrīva.

There are many charming small towns with stunning historic architecture and beautiful natural surroundings, such as Cēsis, Līgatne, and Kuldīga. I would also recommend visiting the wild and picturesque coastline of Kurzeme, in the Western part of Latvia.
After the marathon, participants can enjoy a traditional Latvian sauna experience—this is a popular local tradition and something tourists would appreciate.

To register or find out more on the event, go to:
www.salaca100marathon.lv