Catalan Kayaker Made History Last Year Descending 20m-High Arctic Glacial Waterfall.
May 8, 2024
Catalan adventurer and elite kayaker Aniol Serrasolses made history last year by conquering a 20m-high glacial waterfall and now the new Red Bull TV documentary ‘Ice Waterfalls’ reveals the expedition that led to this remarkable feat in the heart of the Arctic. Here is all you need to know:
– Serrasolses has made a big impact on the kayaking world by completing the first descent of Keyhole Falls, Canada in 2014 and winning prestigious global events such as Sickline Austria in 2016, the USA’s North Fork Championship in 2017 and Futalefu XL in Chile in 2020.
– In 2023, he undertook his most exciting challenge to date when he embarked with his trusted team on an expedition to the Svalbard archipelago – one of the most remote places on earth – beginning with a 36-hour sea voyage from Longyearbyen to the Bråsvellbreen glacier, then an 11km trek across the Arctic icy expanse to access the river leading to the glacial waterfall and historic ‘Philip’s Ladder’ descent.
– ‘Ice Waterfalls’ reveals the challenges Serrasolses and his team – which included kayakers David Sodomka, Aleix Salvat and Mikel Sarasola – faced as they visited one of the least explored regions on Earth to undertake the largest ever recorded kayaking drop from a glacial waterfall.
– They faced numerous obstacles throughout including climbing treacherous ice walls, navigating across streams and crevasses plus the unpredictable whitewater rivers sculpted in the Arctic ice.
– The 33-year-old declared: “Words fail to capture this overwhelming sensation. It felt like kayaking on an entirely different planet. Undoubtedly, it is the most extraordinary kayak experience of my life.”
– ‘Ice Waterfalls’ is not just a story of breaking records and breathtaking action in Norway, but a tale of human resilience, innovation and the relentless pursuit of adventure in the face of constant environmental challenges across the Arctic’s unpredictable and dangerous landscape.]
– He added: “We found ourselves in an ever-changing and completely unforeseeable landscape. We were well aware of the risks involved, but when you take in your surroundings, it all becomes clear.”
– French kayaking legend Nouria Newman also shares insights about the feat, explaining the extreme difficulty and superhuman skills needed to successfully execute a waterfall drop of this kind.
– Another key element in the expedition was the collaboration with Prada Linea Rossa, the supplier of the comfortable, high-performance technical gear worn to face the harsh Arctic conditions. The garments selected by the athlete belonged to the Italian label’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection.
Watch ‘Ice Waterfalls’ on Red Bull TV HERE.