Flatwater Challenge: Netherlands 2025
220km (136mi) through the northern province of Friesland, Netherlands.
Applications are now closed.
The Ultimate ChallengE
September 7-16th, 2025
The Flatwater Challenge series started in 2015 when we, Flatwater, took a group of paddlers to the SUP11-City Tour. We have since traveled to Lake Tahoe, Iceland, Antelope Canyon and Vancouver Island to paddle extreme distances pushing our minds and bodies to the limits. For the 10th anniversary of the Flatwater Challenge series we're going back to where it all began - the Netherlands to complete the ultimate challenge, the SUP11-City Tour.
This challenge is not for the feint of heart, 220KM (136 miles) over 5 days throughout the northern province of the Netherlands, Friesland. Paddlers will face varying weather conditions from calm and sunny to cold, rainy, and stormy. Paddlers will take on 41-48km (25-30 mi) per day with stunning views of open fields dotted with windmills, cows, and sheep, as well as visiting eleven historical cities built since 1700. Since 2009, participants have followed the original waterways where ice skaters once conquered this historic tour on frozen waters.
Flatwater Challenge: Netherlands promises to be a ultimate endurance adventure all while raising much needed funds for Flatwater.
PADDLE DURATION
5 DAYS
PADDLE DISTANCE
220km
FUNDRAISING MIN.
$10K
SCHEDULE
September 7th - Fly to Amsterdam
September 8th - Arrive in Amsterdam, travel to Leeuwarden (1.5hrs)
September 9th - Registration & Pre-Event Presentation
September 10th - Day 1 Paddle 48.8km
September 11th - Day 2 Paddle 45.5km
September 12th - Day 3 Paddle 41.3km
September 13th - Day 4 Paddle 42.6km
September 14th - Day 5 Paddle 27.2km & Award Ceremony
September 15th - Travel back to Amsterdam and return to US
SUP11-CITY Tour Photos
FAQs
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Each paddler will be required to fundraise a minimum of $10,000 by September 6th, 2025 in order to participate in Flatwater Challenge: Netherlands.
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Sleeping accommodations for Sept 8-14th, transportation from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden, SUP11-City Tour registration fee, dinner on 9/8 and meals from 9/9 through breakfast on 9/15, SUP rental, paddle rental and return transportation to Amsterdam from Leeuwarden.
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All paddlers will be required to pay for their flights to/from Amsterdam as well as any F&B while traveling. Any personal belongings such as clothing, special gear etc. are at the discretion of the paddler. Any travel extensions or additions are the responsibility of the paddler.
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You are not required to paddle all 5 days, however we ask that you plan to attempt to paddle all days. There are limited transportation options for those who choose not to paddle as we do not have vehicles and only have the sleeping boats.
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Although the "Tour" category of the SUP11-City Tour is not as intensely competitive as the "Race" category it is still significantly more time constrained than DTC. All paddlers are required to wear a GPS devise for tracking and stop for 15 mins at lunch, if you leave early there is a time penalty but you can stay longer. The rest stop will close however, and if you are not there by the closing time they may pull you off the water when you arrive due to being at risk of not completing that day's distance. For a complete breakdown of rules and details please reference the SUP11-CIty Tour Guide from 2024.
Flatwater Challenge 2015: Netherlands Recap
To get a better understanding of what the event is all about, check out our video recap of the Flatwater Challenge 2015 in the Netherlands.