I bought a kayak to restore – a decision driven by my commitment to sustainability. The kayak was old and had seen better days, but that’s exactly what drew me to it; it was crying out for a transformation.
I dedicated time and effort to the project. I sanded the entire kayak, polished it, and applied a fresh coat of gelcoat to make it shine again. To prepare it for longer trips, I built storage compartments for my gear and secured them with straps. The restoration took about a month, and in the end, I had a nearly new kayak, ready for adventures in both fresh and salt water.
The Trip: Days Full of Surprises
My journey started early one morning on a lake near Preetz. After prepping the kayak, I attached my water bottles to the luggage straps and packed my sleeping bag, hammock, and sleeping mat inside to keep them dry. I stored my camera gear in a dry bag to protect it from moisture. At the back of the kayak, I had a waterproof box where I kept food and other cooking utensils.
I packed carefully, making sure I had everything I needed for the adventure: a sleeping bag, hammock, sleeping mat, headlamp, tarp, poles, cooking utensils, a lantern, two water bottles, a drinking bladder (holding four liters of water), a gas bottle, a burner, food, a camera tripod, a change of clothes, a poncho, and a blanket.
As soon as I set off, a heavy downpour started. Already on the water, I took shelter under nearby trees. Luckily, I had my poncho, which I immediately put on. It saved the day, keeping me dry and allowing me to continue paddling without needing to take a long break.
I navigated narrow river passages and small lakes, each offering new challenges and stunning views. Eventually, I reached my first planned stop for the night, a small island in the middle of the lake that I had spotted on Google Maps. However, upon arrival, I realized the shore was completely overgrown, leaving no space to set up camp. I felt disheartened after battling the headwind all day, and now I had no place to rest.
Determined, I explored the shoreline further and eventually found a small clearing – like a beach, perfect for setting up camp. Relieved, I paddled over and settled in. The location was ideal: quiet, secluded, and surrounded by nature. Two trees provided the perfect spot for my hammock, and I enjoyed a coffee while gazing over the lake. It was a moment of contentment – not far from home, but I felt like I was deep in the wilderness.
The Night in the Wilderness
As the sun set, I prepared my camp for the night. I unpacked what I needed and stored everything else for the next morning. With a beer in hand, I let my kayak glide into the water once more, savoring the last rays of sunlight as they danced on the waves.
When darkness fell, I returned to camp. The wind whipped the waves against the shore, and I settled into my hammock, ready for the night. But the peace didn't last long – without mosquito spray, I quickly became a target. Despite the irritation, nature put on a captivating show: bats flew just above my hammock, hunting insects as I listened to the sounds of the night.
The wilderness is never truly silent, and every rustle or movement quickened my pulse. But eventually, exhaustion took over, and I fell into a deep, restful sleep.
A Morning Like a Picture
The next morning, I woke to a breathtaking view over a mirror-smooth lake. The wind had died down, and nature was at its most serene. I made porridge for breakfast and discovered a blackberry bush right beneath my hammock – a delicious addition to my meal.
After breakfast, I packed my things, prepped the kayak, and continued my journey. The water was calm, and I spotted dragonflies and small fish swimming alongside my kayak.
Soon, I reached the estuary where the river meets the Baltic Sea. The calm waters quickly gave way to the lively Baltic. Paddling along the coast was tough, but the stunning scenery made up for it. Around midday, I found a peaceful spot to take a break, set up my hammock, and cook a small meal.
As evening approached, I discovered another beautiful spot along the coast, where I set up my tarp and prepared to spend the night. I gathered enough wood for a small fire on the beach and spent the evening by its warm glow as the sun slowly dipped into the sea.
The Adventure on My Doorstep
The next morning greeted me with bright sunshine again. The sea was calm, and after one last breakfast, I paddled to my pick-up point, bringing my trip to a close.
My conclusion: You don't always have to travel far or spend a lot of money to have an adventure. There are so many small adventures waiting right outside your door. I was deeply impressed by nature, and traveling alone gave me a fresh perspective. The time and effort I put into restoring the kayak paid off – not only did I end up with a high-quality, functional vessel, but I also helped the environment by breathing new life into an old item. Sustainability has become particularly important to me. In a world that often favors the new and perfect, this experience showed me that reusing and upgrading what we already have can bring both fulfillment and environmental benefit.
This adventure also reminded me of the importance of appreciating the resources available to us – everything has value, and it’s up to us to recognize and preserve it.
Want to know more? Checkout Lauritz's IG.
