We recommend paddling in a group, primarily for safety reasons, to those who have little kayaking experience or who want to enjoy traveling in company.
You can also test yourself at the HUUM kayak sprint (4 km) in the fairway of the Kuressaare city harbor.
The HUUM kayak sprint takes place on the eve of the marathon day. The track (4 km) runs along the fairway of Kuressaare city harbor.
Safety:
- Elongated embankments created by dredging the fairway (largely above sea level as elongated expanses) make the course weatherproof;
- The safety boat ensures safety on the track;
- Ship traffic is closed by the Saaremaa Maritime Sports Society, which manages the port, for about half an hour while the kayak sprint takes place.
Organization of the paddle sprint:
- joint start in the Kuressaare city harbor (marked with buoys);
- 2 km long straight competition track back and forth ;
- finish on the same line where the start took place.
Awards for the top three paddlers in the K1M, K1N, K2M, K2N, K2MIX competition classes.
Prize fund from HUUM:
The main prize for the fastest boat: Drop electric sauna heater with stones and a remote control.
In addition, for the members of each fastest boat crew of the K1M, K1N, K2M, K2N, K2MIX competition classes (8 sets), large beach bags containing:
- sauna flip flops,
- sauna book,
- large mug,
- large towel,
- umbrella,
- notebook and pen.
The 2nd and 3rd place boat teams will also receive HUUM gift bags.
Everyone is also welcome to free of charge safety training in the Kuressaare city harbor and to the Pöide Brewery castle moat circuit (1 km), which is primarily aimed at children and their adult companions (every adult is welcome on the moat path though for reasons of safety).
Both marathon distances pass through shallow and river-like straits for a few kilometers, including Vahas strait, Linnusita strait and Kasse strait. In the case of a long distance, the Väike-Tulpe strait is added to them.
For the marathon distance, bring at least one liter bottle of water for each member of the boat crew. Bottles can be filled with fresh water/sports drink at catering points.
The full marathon distance is up to 40 km, depending on the course chosen by the paddler (Kuressaare castle park – Väike-Tulpe Island- Abruka Island – Romessaare Marina).
The longest route selections according to the GPS tracker:
2024: Marko Kindlam - 38.7 km
2023: Marit and Juhan Aasaru, Tarmo Napa and Laura Kruusmann - 39.4 km
Shortest route choices according to the GPS tracker:
2024: Evelin Oimandi - 36.5 km
2023: Jaan Lott - 36.7 km
Winners' route choices according to the GPS tracker:
2024: Oleg Mozessov - 38.6 km
2023: Andres Kaju, Olga Kaju - 38.7 km
