Kayaking in Riga

Explore glorious Daugava river

They say that change is the comfort zone of successful people. And not only successful, but happy people. Maybe it might not make much sense to you now, but just think about it. Think about all those times you wanted to do something unplanned, crazy, unexpected and adventurous but you didn’t. Something was holding you back. Maybe it was the fear of the unknown, failure or simply you were afraid of doing things differently. Then you regret the things you could have done, tried and maybe even failed, but you never even dared. I decided not to live like that and remain the person who is in constant fear. And believe me, that decision is hard, scary (paradoxically enough) but definitely worth all the hustle. That is why I thought it would be a unique and memorable experience to discover the beautiful capital of Latvia through its biggest treasure – the River Daugava. Allow me to share with you my most amazing experience while kayaking in Riga.

River Daugava in Riga

Andreja Pumpura iela 43, Daugavpils, LV-5404, Latvia

I was over the moon when I found out that my colleagues and I had the greatest privilege to go to Riga, the largest city of all the three Baltic states, for a work visit, but also to take some time and dedicate all our energy and passion to the team building activities. I must tell you, if you ever find yourself in the same situation, you are extremely lucky, as Riga is absolutely perfect for the most memorable team building adventures. Not only that, but the great team of Luzumpunkts Association will always be there for your disposal.

On a chilly, early Tuesday morning, after a breakfast for champions and additional cups of black coffee, we were all in our sports gear, ready to go, explore and conquer the beautiful River Daugava. The truth is, I was the one who was the most excited, worried, anxious and scared about the upcoming adventures, as I kept the plan a secret from the rest of the team. I genuinely wanted them to be surprised. Plus, I was hoping everybody would be satisfied and on board. And indeed, everyone was! Wonderful and enthusiastic Juris picked us up from the hotel and drove to the beautiful river. After the most exciting warm-up (cudos for creativity), the team was ready for kayaks. Interestingly enough, when Juris asked:”Who is kayaking for the very first time?”, I was the only one to raise my hand, which made everyone laugh. Indeed, I wanted the activity to be a surprise and gentle push out of the comfort zone, yet I was the one who was the least experienced. None of it mattered though, as I had the loveliest and the most patient colleague helping me to learn the basics of kayaking, while I was failing tremendously, splashing him with huge waves of water and almost made us fall (twice!). His patience had no limits, nor the support from the rest of the team.

While listening to the instructions of my colleague, after a while, I started feeling more relaxed. When I looked around, I saw a wonderful open space of clear water. I could not help but feel tremendously small as well as completely distracted by the natural beauty of River Daugava. Beautiful flora and fauna will simply leave you breathless, as at one point you will feel as if you are a part of some fairytale (yes, I have a rich imagination!). Sometimes, the River Daugava has quite a fast and strong current, but with the most amazing team and guide, you will surely be able to conquer it. One tip – when you see a big boat, make sure to stay together with the team and be on one side of the river (and don't be scared!). Finally, kayaking along the River Daguava is, in my opinion, the best way to discover Riga and see some of its natural treasures. It is also the best way to find yourself, outside of your comfort zone.

Pictures @Credits to Juris Zigelis