FWC Wilderness Canoeing

*APPLICATIONS FOR OUR WILDERNESS CANOEING 2024 are now closed*

 
 

In September 2024 FWC will take two teams of 12 ladies to Sweden to tackle a multi-day open canoe journey, with wild camping en-route, in the stunning environment of the Hårkan River System. This expedition will introduce the fundamentals of traditional canoe paddling and will give participants the opportunity to learn how to be self-sufficient in a wilderness environment, with an emphasis on developing self-confidence, resilience, mindfulness and teamwork through the principles and practice of bushcraft.

KEY DATES

Saturday 7th September 2024 to Saturday 14th September 2024 - Week 1 challenge dates

Saturday 14th September 2024 to Saturday 21st September 2024 - Week 2 challenge dates

COULD THIS BE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?

If you feel this is the adventure for you, please see the FAQ’s below for more details on the expedition and information on how to apply.

DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO PADDLE AN OPEN CANOE and DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM?

No, you do not need to be able to paddle a canoe before the trip, this challenge is open to everyone. So if you have never paddled a canoe before, please don’t be put off applying, as you will be provided with tuition throughout the journey.

Yes, you should be able to confidently swim 50 metres; however, buoyancy aids are compulsory when on the water.

DO I HAVE TO BE A FWC MEMBER TO APPLY?

Yes, to apply to participate in this challenge, you have to be a member of FWC. If you are a female with a partner (spouse or long-term partner) in the armed forces (either serving or a veteran) and are not yet a member, please sign up HERE prior to applying for the challenge.

HOW MUCH WILL THE WILDERNESS CANOE CHALLENGE COST?

There will be a cost of £875 required from each team member, which is an all-inclusive price from arrival at the initial campsite in Sweden, through to departure. This includes accommodation, guide costs, food, equipment. The only cost not covered is a celebratory meal on the last night, where individuals will be responsible for their own bill and the small cost of transport to the town and back. The meal out is not compulsory, and will be discussed and planned between the group. Flights and personal insurance (to include grade 2 white-water canoe) are not included. A deposit of £200 will be due 10 days after receipt of invoice (individual invoices will be sent by Sweden Outdoors Coaching once the teams have been confirmed). The balance will be due 8 weeks before the start of the trip.

HOW WILL PARTICIPANTS BE SELECTED FOR THE WILDERNESS CANOE CHALLENGE?

Each week will have a team of 12 FWC ladies participating, with 1 FWC ambassador attending and 11 places available. Applications for these challenges will be open from 08.00 Friday 1st December till 20.00 Friday 8th December 2023 and following the closing date, names will be drawn at random to allocate the places. You will be contacted by email w/c 11th December to confirm whether or not we have been able to offer you a place on this challenge. Applicants should apply by completing the form on this PAGE during the week specified above.

WHO IS RUNNING THE CHALLENGE?

The challenge is being run by Matt Larsson-Clifford and his company Sweden Outdoors Coaching. Matt is based in Sweden, is ex-military and is a friend of FWC. He was also one of the FWC Heroes of Telemark expedition guides, which took place in 2022. Matt runs the same wilderness canoe trip for the RAF and Army as part of the ‘Eagles’ scheme, and it is by far the most popular Eagles expedition! This is the second year that FWC are running the Wilderness Canoeing trip.

What will i be doing on the challenge?

Paddling an open canoe, on a mix of very calm open water and manageable rapids. Catching food (fishing – but this is not compulsory) and foraging, cooking and baking bread on an open fire, sleeping outdoors under shelter, firelighting, carving spoons and shelter building. 

Where will I be sleeping AND HOW WILL I WASH?

We will be going back to basics, bedding down for the night in sleeping bags under a shelter and washing in the river.

What will I be eating?

We will take turns with the cooking. Recent offerings have included porridge, nuts, raisins, lingonberry jam (made from foraged lingonberries), bacon or halloumi on fire baked bread, fish every which way, beans/sausages, hot chocolate and marshmallows etc. Dietary requirements can be catered for – the local supermarket has a good range of food.

Will I encounter animals?

Fish, reindeer, beavers, bears (they tend to stay away from human activity!) and many others.

Where can I get a sneak peak of what it might be like?

Check out:

Where will I need to book flights to?

The likely route is a flight from the UK to Stockholm and an internal flight from Stockholm to Östersund, which is 30 minutes from where the trip starts and finishes. A WhatsApp chat and zoom meetings will be set up for the group and we will try and coordinate flights together to arrive in Östersund around the same time to be picked up by minibus.

ARE FWC CONDUCTING ANY RESEARCH ON THIS TRIP?

As part of our commitment to improving FWC members’ experiences on challenges and overall wellbeing, and providing data to use for funding applications, we will be conducting a research study with Wilderness Canoeing 2024 team members who consent to participate (participation is not compulsory). The researcher is a scientist who is a member of FWC. They will not be part of either team, but will be present to observe, and conduct brief surveys and interviews with as little intrusion as possible. Collecting research data is important for us to show the impact of participation in outdoor challenges.

WHAT ARE THE BOOKING CONDITIONS, AND WHAT HAPPENS IF, FOR ANY REASON, I CANNOT GO HAVING BEEN ALLOCATED A PLACE E.G. IF WE ARE POSTED OVERSEAS?

Please read our BOOKING CONDITIONS and DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT prior to applying for this challenge.

In the event of you being unable to participate, we will try to arrange for someone else to take your place, but this cannot be guaranteed.  

CAN I APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE CHALLENGE?

Yes! We welcome you to apply for any challenge you are interested in. Should you not be selected this time, please remember there will be many more opportunities in the future for challenges and adventures in the UK and overseas.

Forces Wives Challenge (FWC) is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) Number: 11976449

Website by forces wife and proud supporter of the FWC team, alix mackay