Even in months when Czech countryside reminds Lada snowed pictures, we can paddle, or to dream of it. It is cheapest way. We sit in canoe or kayak in our residential room at home, put the maps and atlas around, start a computer and search. Where to go next year, where to go, provided we won the first prize in Sportka, or we easily dream with closed eyes and a map of New Guinea in one, and Swahili vocabular in the second hand. Or, where we could go, according to our financial situation, if we save for food, alcohol or unsuitable Christmas presents. Provided we discover air-ticket sale to Laos, suffered from birds disease (birds influence), we do not hesitate and pack our belongings. We act according to our feelings  to be an advanturer.
Anyway, must really a waterman remain at home in winter?
 
We can organise a Polar Expedition just in backyard. The picture of plain covered with snow, man draws a kayak, fully loaded on a rope. The picture of Greenland rafting when the say froze over in advance. We can train this summer action on Berounka river (Morava, Ohře, Odra or somewhere else) We can take advantage of the situation when two rivers are near to each other or where is situated a sharp river binding. Anyway, it is not necessary to use the connection of two flows and range crossing among them. As a matter of fact, we can join  winter camping with navigation. Would you try it, please!
On Saturday, you can start your expedition, going to snowed Brdy hills, you can load your boat with provisions, camoing equipment, to put yourselve to the carriage and overcome watershed ahead. The way is exhausting and you sweat, in spite of a frost. The evening comes early, day is short, so near Řevnice I succeed to find a small place at forest border, the snow is to be removed (more indifferent persons make a shelter or bury place) and a tent will be constructed.  I prepare hot grog, eat something and a tiredness makes its work.
In the morning, a frost awakes me, a cup of hot grog with sugar or several exercises helps to stream my blood. A boat is loaded, and the way ahead continues. Snow-fall begins. A non-frozen river is near, a small change of loading is necessary, and drive to Radotín can start.
So, two-days polar expedition is over! The weekend spent in such way, isn´t it nice, is it?
Contacts and information:
you find everywhere, helping your own phantasy!
 
And what about paddling in Europe in winter? It is predestinated South and also West, first of all. There are two areas, where it is possible to visit during Christmas time. Frankly speaking, Greece is not a suitable winter destination. On the contrary, Italian South,such as Sardegna, Calabria or Sicilly, these are good targets. However, the uncertainty of water levels is relatively high here. It depends very much on local rains. Anyway, you can check these water stands shortly before your departure, provided you follow the development on web-site „weather“, so you can estimate it. The second possibilite is, to find it on spot, there is no problem. Provided you manage to „catch the water“ so four rivers in Sardegna (Sardinia) –
Temo, Posada, Calaresu and Flumendosa – can offer the difficulty stage III-V, however, for very short time-period.
On the other hand, on Sicilly, there are not available many rivers, too ( Simeto – IV-II and its tributaries Salso – II-III and  Alcantara – III-VI). But, you can climb Etna volcano.
The areas of Calabria and Campania are quite interesting as well (Bay of Salerno).
As to distances: to Calabria, Campania and Sicilly there are more than 2000 kms distance from Prague (or Brno). The rivers of Lao, Noce Lucano, Platano (navigable from small village of „Balvano“ – Boulder – the name shows river-bed characteristics) and other, offering water of all difficulty stages in marvellous limestone canons. It is true that a certainty of water stand and favourable weather (round 15 Celsius degrees) guarantees better conditions.
And you can spend Christmas Eve with  tasty Chianti wine in La Sorgente restaurant!    
Contacts and information:
Calabria, Sardinia, Sicilly: www.laoraft.it , Kanumagazin 6/2000, www.dundak.de,
DKV Auslandsfuhrer Suedwesteuropa, http://www.laocanoa.it/lao.asp and many other.
 
The second destination visited by watermen from Great Britain, Germany or Czech Republic. is an area of North-East of Spain and Portugal. Galicia or Asturia.
It is a piece of country, washed with rests of Gulf Stream, dividing near to Acores Islands. Atlantic Ocean makes influence to higher winter temperatures. Provided we  have good luck,
we can paddle at 15 C degrees, of favourable but rainy weather.
Last, but not least, we can get, similarly as in Italy, cheap accommodatioon. Even the food is not too expensive. We can find in books, stated below, 50 most interesting local rivers, such as waterfall flows Cavado, Laboreiro, Peneda or Lerez, or middle difficult brooks – such as Umia, Verdugo, upper Tea, Deza, or relative comfortable rivers of difficulty stage III-I, as Ulla, Mino, lower Tea or Paiva or Tamega.
 
Contacts and information:
www.galinor.com , www.ondabrava.com , www.arrepions.com , Kayak en Galicia a Portugal, Kayak (books), Kanumagazin and many other sources.
 
Asia, Afrika, Amerika, Australia – are the destinations where you do not have enough time to choose. The offer is too wide and paddles nor money are not enough.
Let´s avoid Australia with Tasmania Island, also Papua Island is not near.
Not speaking about Franklin or Darling River (they are very interesting, for sure) and no mention of New Guinea rivers is necessary. New Zealand – no words more!
As to America: it is preferable Middle or South America, from Mexico to Argentina.
Mexico is so extended country that the choice of right river for descent could be a problem.
Well known are rivers of Rio Balsa or Aqua Azul with its wonderful waterfalls and blue waters, also Rio Zimatan or Rio Pescados are interesting. And it is a small part only!
In Guatemala, via border crossing Usumacinta to Rio Cabuz in south direction, we find very interesting rivers also in Honduras and Belize (here you find one 6 kms long trip, WW II, rivers in underground, very interesting for driving!) Well-known is Costarica – country of paradise, suitable for lovers of easy rapids and waterfall rivers. Similar situation and conditions you find in neighbouring Panama. Anyway, you can try the islands rivers in Cuba or Dominican Republic. The rivers you find everywhere.
 
Whole South America, including not safe country of Columbia, but with wonderful pass on Rio Magdalena, and with other, in north situated states, such as Venezuela – Guyanami, where virgin forest is minimally investigated. Really watermen route – „round the world“ is a navigation  against stream of Orinoco River, through connected canal of Casiquiare river to Rio Negro and Amazonas river to the sea. It is a navigation for adventures which takes a year!
 
Provided you wish to try other rivers, we recommend you  the rivers in Peru, Ecuador or Chile. As to Ecuador. Czech rafting-watermen knew local rivers partially.
As to Peru, the situation was similar – they drove Rio Colca canon, and Chile – BIo-Bio dam.
These are very extended countries where many rivers expect its discovery. It is true that some of them are discovered and used by watermen. The sale of adventures arrived nearly everywhere. As to Brasil: it is discovered in minimal way, from waterman´s point of view. 
Here, there is to be taken place World Championship in water-slalom (just for the second time). Even the weirs below Iguacu waterfalls are imposant (with its 10000 m3 of water flowing through!).
 
As to Africa: it is a waterman´s plan for the next century. Water-descent is mad in Morocco
(mostly in February). During winter (including Christmas time-period) we can take advantage of known and commercially used Zambezi river, or rivers in Namibia or South Africa.
White Nile in Uganda is very popular since several last years. Anyway, less known are rapids Ewaso Nireo or Tana-river in Kenya , however, the rivers and watermen terrains in Tanzania are less known. The rivers in Kamerun, Gabon, Kongo, or Angola, are not discovered  fully up to now, however, big problems with safety of persons prevent this. Similar situation is in mountaneous and on rivers rich Ethiopia, with known river of Omo.
 
As to Asia, biggest continent: we use in winter the countries situated in southern direction of China, so south of India (it is not so mountaneous) but near Sri Lanka Island is full of wild and tourist attractive rivers. Further, North of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are interesting destinations for paddling. There are rafting on many rivers, the other are waiting for discovery. Even islands´ inland – as Borneo, for instance – offer an adventura on all levels.
 
As to contacts and information: a lot you find it on internet, you have to orientate and choose in right way, according to momentaneous situation in a country and weather conditions. Attention for hurricans, typhoons, tornados and collapses in mountains.
 
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