Sure, nothing beats a good solo paddle when you need to get your head right.
But let's get real: when it comes to long journeys, foreign horizons, and bucket list destinations that take us out of our comfort zones, most of us would prefer to have some company...
Finding a paddling partner that you actually enjoy exploring with is special - even rare. They need to be someone you can rely on; someone who can manage themselves and still keep an eye out for you too; someone you can enjoy comfortable silence with, and still crack a joke when the days get long or monotonous.
If you have a paddling partner in your life that you trust and like, cherish them. Let them know how much they matter to you, and keep planning trips together!
From bucket-list trips in Scandinavia that took years to plan, to spontaneous weekend adventures that offered tons of juice for minimal squeeze, we hope these stories of TRAK Duos inspire you and your plus one to get out there, too!
Home Region: The Netherlands
In summer 2025, Joris and Maria were finally able to leave their teenage kids behind and enjoy a long-anticipated paddling trip across Scandinavia - just the two of them!
Over 23 days, they toured from their home in the Netherlands, through Germany, into Denmark, then over to Sweden, Norway, and back south again through mainland Denmark on their way home.
During their first day in Denmark, they paddled along the stunning cliffs of Stevns (Stevns Klint), past an ancient church on the edge of the cliffs (højerup kirke), and took a short break before paddling back to the lovely harbour of Rødvig. Next, they went to Møns Klint, where the cliffs were even more impressive than Stevns Klint. The weather was amazing, the water calm (for the most part) and the water color was Caribbean-like. Next up: Sweden 🇸🇪
Maria & Joris's first stop in Sweden brought them to the Archipelago of Göteborg. They stayed in the villa of a former Olympic diver, right by the sea. From there they discovered a few of the many islands in Kattegat before taking a dinner break on the south side of Galterö, a nature reserve right next to Biggest island, Brännö. The weather was perfect. Beautiful scenery with amazing views!
Joris and Maria's second stop in Sweden was in beautiful Dalsland, known for Dalsland Channel. This links all lakes between Göteborg and the Vänern lake, creating 250km of waterways by only digging 10km of channel. They took it easy and visited a few of the islands in the Leláng lake.
The last stop in Sweden was eco-park Omberg, on the east shore of lake Vättern, where towering cliffs along the shoreline are marked by many small caves and crevices to explore. There were also a few camping spots with shelter right next to the water. Locals helped them find more spots to explore before heading onwards to Norway.
Joris and Maria had always wanted to paddle in the Norwegian Fjords, and they finally made it happen on this trip.
"Such an awe inspiring place. I felt tiny in the presence of those mighty mountains; an insignificant speck on the vast amount of water around us. Nature can be so overwhelming it makes me feel incredibly humble and so grateful to be able to experience this amazing beauty." - Joris
The last paddle of Joris and Maria's trip was around the lovely city of Ålesund. They started in a small harbor about 7km east of the city centre, then paddled the Ellingsøyfjorden to the city center where they enjoyed coffee and a snack. They then traversed through the city via the Borgundfjorden in order to return to the harbor where they started. A truly unique way to explore Norway's urban landscape after experiencing the awe-inspiring fiords.
You can follow each step of Maria and Joris's journey through Polarsteps, as well as through Joris's Instagram account: @qajaqaholic.
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Home Region: New England
Jeff and King Leng are semi-retired van lifers who set the bar high when it comes to travelling with their TRAK kayaks. They've participated in guided expeditions through all corners of North America, including the San Juan Islands, Canada's Broughton Archipelago, the Bay of Fundy, the Ottawa River, and TRAK's Adirondacks Gathering in New York.
With their two TRAK kayaks stored under their bed in their custom-built Storyteller Overland rig, Jeff and King Leng are never more than 20 minutes from dipping their paddles in. Whenever they're driving cross-country and see a body of water they want to explore - ocean, river, lake, whatever - all they have to do is pull over, assemble their kayaks, and jump in.
Whether it's for a few days or just a few hours, they're living the dream!
Finding ultimate freedom like this hasn't come without hard work and sacrifice. Jeff and King Leng still find ways to run their family business while on the road, and still take time to rest over the winter months.
We know that Jeff and King Leng already have some exciting plans for 2026, including exploring the maritime provinces of Canada and putting their new knowledge of tides & currents to good use - which they learned during TRAK's San Juan Island Hopping Expedition back in 2025.
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Home Region: Rocky Mountains, Alberta
This Canadian sister-brother duo have been paddling together since before they can even remember. They still recall vivid memories of epic canoe trips down big Canadian rivers with family and friends. That's where Haley's love for paddling all began.
But by the time Haley started competing in whitewater kayak racing - eventually making it to the Olympic level - she and her brother barely spent any time on the water, together.
Above: a glimpse of Haley & Hayden's childhood paddling adventures.
Fast forward to the present, and Haley is now happily retired from professional paddling. And, she's gradually picking up where she left off; getting back on the water for fun and connection - not just for medals.
With only a long weekend to spare in the midst of full-time 'adulting,' Haley and Hayden piled into a hatchback with their friend Cody Shimizu - a TRAK Pilot and videographer - back in the summer of 2025 to share one of their favourite places to escape the noise: Lake Minnewanka.
Above: Imagine fitting everything you and your partner need to go paddling - including your kayaks - in the back of a small car?
Nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains, Lake Minnewanka - also known as "Lake of the Spirits" - offers an easy escape from the many road-accessible campgrounds in the area that are often flooded with tourists and locals alike. With their TRAK kayaks in the back of Haley's hatchback, the duo was able to go from door to shore in just a couple hours. From the put-in, they were able to choose from a number of different waterfront backcountry campsites along the shore.
For siblings like H&H, paddling together is a way to reconnect amidst all the new stresses that have become an inherent part of their busy lives.
But it's not just about the 'paddling' - it's about where it takes them; what it rekindles and inspires.
It's a chance to feel like kids again - to 'waste time' together in the beauty of wild nature. To let go of the pressures of performance and productivity, and just.... be.
Some of us paddle to go far, to crush goals, to challenge ourselves. Others - like Haley and Hayden - paddle to slow down, the check-in, to refresh.
"I used to think retirement from sport would feel like slowing down, but sometimes it feels just as hectic, just in a different way" - Haley
You can learn more about Haley's story of transitioning from professional paddling in our TRAK Tales video, below:
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