SUP in Latvia: Paddleboarding on the Gauja River

Written by Robyn Dawson / June 2021

The Gauja River is a beautiful paddle boarding river, located in north-central Latvia in the region of Vidzeme. It is the largest river in Latvia with much of the flow winding its way through the stunning Gauja National Park and the ancient Gauja valley. It is the only river which begins and ends in Latvia itself, with all other rivers ending outside of the country - so there are plenty of great locations to discover when you SUP in Latvia.

The Gauja river bed is known to be quite changeable, ranging from sand and gravel beds that move along with the currents, to pebbly patches resulting in the impressive boulder rapids locally known as Kazu, Raiskuma, Raksu and Kuku. So, if you love a bit of white water or maybe you have one of our inflatable white water paddle boards, we highly recommend you put the Gauja on you dream paddle boarding list.

Highlights

The main highlights of SUPing the River Gauja is it is suitable for a wide range of abilities. This river is a perfect location for paddler boarders looking for a spot of quiet relaxation, offering some glorious secluded spaces, as well as very public stretches - ideal for less experienced paddlers. The water is relatively clear and with the diverse beauty of the Gauja valley rising up on either side, you can feel truly immersed as you SUP the largest river in Latvia. We highly recommend you paddle board the Gauja during Autumn as the valley comes alive with golden hues.