Norway is so much more than the stouts
When most paddlers think about kayaking in Norway, they picture the big stuff: massive waterfalls, steep creeks, powerful whitewater. And yes, that’s all there. Paddlers from all over the world show up every summer to test their skills, get scared, and run the hardest lines they can find.
But after a month in Norway this past summer, I want to tell you about the other side of it. Norway has some of the most beautiful, friendly, high-quality whitewater I’ve ever paddled. Rivers that are challenging but reasonable. Crystal blue water. A paddling community that makes room for everyone, from local kids throwing kick flips to first-timers getting in a boat for the very first time.
I lived in Voss back in 2008, and going back always feels like coming home. This year I arrived in time for Ekstremsportveko, then spent ten days guiding our CWC crew from Voss to the Sjoa Valley. Here’s what I’d want any paddler to know before they go.
Kayaking in Voss: Rivers for every level
Voss is a small town in the heart of the fjords, and it’s one of the whitewater capitals of Norway. The best part is how much variety sits within a short drive.
Strandaelvi. This is where I like to start a trip. There are sections to shake off the jet lag and get some good ferries, surfs and small boofs in before moving on to harder water. The Upper and Lower Stranda are two of my favorites. The upper is friendly class II with lots of great eddies, jet ferries, small boofs and surf waves. Penny Drop sits right at the put-in of the lower section (a play on Voss’s famous park-n-huck, Money Drop), or you can put in lower down for an easier start.
Raundalselva. With its crystalline blue water and high-quality whitewater, the Raundalselva is the gem of Voss. Upstream you’ll find the famous Nosebreaker and Tunnel Drop, plus the classic Reimegrend and Rafting sections for paddlers looking to step it up. But no matter your level, there’s always the Play Run. This classic downstream section has several access points, so you can bite off shorter sections, lap rapids, or portage when you want to. This river really has something for everyone.
If you’re a solid Class II/III paddler, you’ll have plenty to do in Voss without ever going near the stouts.
The Sjoa Valley
A few hours east of Voss, the Sjoa Valley has a totally different vibe. It feels like a fairy forest, with rugged terrain and clear, cold rivers.
The Play Run is the Sjoa classic: a fun Class III section with lots of lines for every paddler. It’s a great place to build confidence in bigger, continuous water.
And I’d be remiss not to mention the bakery. While you’re in Sjoa, stop in for waffles with berries and sweet brown cheese, a buttery cinnamon roll, and a steaming cup of coffee. Then sit in the sunshine after your lap. Trust me.
A paddling community that makes room for everyone
What keeps me coming back to Voss is the people. The Voss Elveklubb is the hub of the local paddling scene, with a warm clubhouse right on the river and a short attainment upstream to the famous Milky Wave. The club runs classes for all ages and skill levels, including kids courses and women’s clinics.
They’re also a vocal advocate for the rivers themselves. The club was instrumental in protecting the Raundalselva from development, and they keep working on river access, landowner relations and conservation so these runs are still here for the next generation. That kind of work is close to my heart, and it’s a big part of why we started Riverbound in California.
Since I lived in Voss, my kayaker friends have had kids, and those kids have built their own community through the club. Watching them surf and throw kick flips, with endless smiles and high fives, was the best welcome back I could ask for.
Ekstremsportveko (Extreme Sports Week) is the big event in Voss every summer, with competitions in nearly every gravity sport. But the kayaking side has a lot more than the hardest race courses. There’s an Old School Rodeo on a friendly wave, a Head-to-Head race on a Class II section with beginner, intermediate and advanced divisions, an anything-that-floats race, and Try Kayaking, an intro course for athletes from other sports and spectators.
The club publishes a free River Guide to Voss covering 28 river sections, from class fun to class stout. Just sign up on their website.
Paddle Norway with us in 2027
That’s the trip I want to share with you. Our Guided Whitewater Kayaking Trip in Norway runs July 5 to 14, 2027, from Voss to the Sjoa Valley, with a 3:1 guest-to-coach ratio. It’s built for paddlers comfortable on Class II/III who want to step up in some of the most beautiful whitewater in the world.
The trip is already half full, so if you’re interested, email us at info@cwwcollective.com for more details or to sign up.
Ha det bra, see you on the river.