DALEN to SKIEN rowing expedition £875 (Reservation Deposit £300)

1. Overview of the Expedition

Over 2.5 days, you and the crew will aim to row 100 km, including rowing under the stars.

Opened in 1892 and once hailed as the "8th Wonder of the World," the Telemark Canal in southeast Norway is a 100 km marvel of manmade and natural waterways linking the Baltic Sea to Dalen. As you row through this spectacular region, you’ll be surrounded by majestic mountains, serene forests, cascading waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.

Join Adventures Per Mare in 2025 and be part of the first-ever ocean rowing boat journey through the Telemark Canal.

Our experienced skipper will ensure your safety, guide you through canal locks, and help you become an integral crew member.

What You’ll Do:

·      Learn the essentials of life onboard an ocean rowing boat.

·      Develop your skills as an effective adventure crew member.

·      Steer and navigate through the canal’s lock system.

·      Master a rowing and resting routine with your team.

·      Push yourself physically and mentally.

·      Create memories to last a lifetime.

Book early to secure your spot by placing a deposit for your chosen weekend.

2. Itinerary at a Glance:

Friday:

·      Crew introductions and safety briefing.

·      Boat drills and preparation.

·      Rowing into the night, ending at a guest harbour near a lock.

Saturday:

·      Early start to navigate through locks.

·      Progress as far as possible, with rest stops and optional lake swims.

Sunday:

Please note: Sleeping arrangements, saunas, and other extras must be paid for individually. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, lock conditions, or skipper decisions for safety reasons.

3. Included in Your Package

·      Accommodation onboard the bow and stern cabins.

·      Freeze-dried expedition rations and snacks.

·      Water, tea, and coffee.

·      All lock and mooring fees for guest marinas.

4. What to Bring

Southern Norway’s spring and summer can bring variable weather, so pack for warm, cold, and wet conditions. Night rowing on the lakes can also mean cooler temperatures. While the boat has plenty of space for comfort, we recommend the following essentials:

Clothing:

·      Underwear (x4), socks (x4), waterproof socks (x2)

·      Base layers (x2), mid layers (x2), fleece/jumper

·      Waterproof jacket and trousers

·      Warm hat and gloves

Personal Gear:

·      Sleeping bag (3-season recommended)

·      Pillow (optional), wash kit, towel

·      Waterproof phone case, head torch, phone charger

·      Water bottle (1L), spoon or fork, small flask

·      Sunscreen, sunglasses

·      Training shoes, seat cushion (optional)

·      Earphones/EarPods

Full kit list will be provided prior to the expedition.

5. Sleeping Arrangements

The boat accommodates five people in its bow and stern cabins. While it’s a tight fit, the physical demands of rowing will ensure you’re ready to rest!

6. Food and Meals

Your meals will primarily consist of freeze-dried expedition rations and snacks. If you have specific dietary needs, let us know in advance. Gluten-free and vegan options are often available.

Water will be provided in bottled form to rehydrate rations. You’ll also have opportunities to purchase meals at local cafés or restaurants during rest stops.

7. Fitness and Experience Requirements

Although this isn’t an ocean row, the distance and challenges along the route require reasonable fitness and some preparation.

For those new to rowing, we recommend attending an introductory course at your local rowing club before the trip.

Adventure rowing can present unique challenges, such as navigating narrow channels or dealing with sudden gusts of wind. While novices are welcome, a bit of rowing experience will ensure you get the most from your adventure.

8. Safety and Support

Your safety is our top priority. When you join Adventures Per Mare, you become part of a team committed to looking out for one another. Safety briefings and drills will be conducted before departure.

We Provide:

·      Personal flotation devices.

·      Fire safety equipment (blankets and extinguishers).

·      Safety harnesses and strops.

Additional Safety Measures:

·      Comprehensive route planning and hazard identification.

·      A land-based support team for emergencies.

9. How to Secure Your Spot

Reserve your adventure by placing a deposit through our booking link.

Once confirmed, we’ll contact you to help plan and prepare. Pre-expedition video calls with your crew will be arranged to ensure a smooth and exciting experience.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. Do I need rowing experience to join an expedition?

A. If you can get to a local rowing club to get an introduction to rowing, you will get more out of the experience in Norway. Adventures Per Mare have the skills to take a complete novice rower and teach them enough to give them confidence whilst on the oars. We will try to have an experienced crew member mixed with beginners where possible. Adventures may be tailored to suit a crew’s ability.

Q. Airports & Transport Links: What are the nearest Airports and how can I get to my start point?

A. Oslo Torp (Sandefjord) is our nearest airport to Telemark. There are good transport links, and you can get a bus from the airport to the nearest train station (Sandefjord). From there you can get a combination of trains and buses to your destination. The easiest method would be to get together as a crew and to hire a car direct from the airport if all coming from outside Norway.

Q. What if I need to cancel my booking?

A. We understand that sometimes plans change and that you may have to cancel your booking. Due to the level of commitment from our team the deposits are non-refundable although we are more than happy to carry your adventure over to another date if possible. No shows, late cancellations or same day cancellations are charged at 100% and no refunds are issued. We will be able to issue you an invoice for your exped that you may use towards your travel insurance for a refund depending on the details of your insurance policy. In short – if you need to change your plans, please let us know as early as possible and we will do our best to sort something out.

Q. What if the weather is bad?

A. We keep a close eye on the weather in the weeks leading up to the expeditions as this is such an important aspect to our safety. Unless there are extremely high winds then the expedition will still go ahead. High degree of rainfall could affect the lock system on the Canal but, even with this there will be a back up plan to make sure you get an adventure. Good clothing and a flexible mindset will ensure you enjoy the expedition whatever mother nature throws at us.

Q. Can you cater for my dietary restrictions?

A. If you are Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten free, Diabetic, Nut allergies, Kosher, Halal or have any other dietary requirements, we need to be notified at the time of your booking to ensure we can meet your expectations. As a crew member we need you to be fed and fighting fit so it’s our interest to see you get the calories you need.

Q. Where can I store my luggage while on the expedition?

A. We have enough space for a 30-litre bag per person on board. Please help us by understanding the more you bring the less space in the cabins for comfort.

Some people may wish to stay longer in Norway before or after the expedition. For this we can offer free storage at our Norway HQ. However, we cannot be held liable or responsible for theft or damage during storage. Some of the local hotels will let you store luggage for a charge.