The Amazon Challenge is a unique paddle challenge for both canoes and SUPs. It involves navigating the 335km of one of the main tributaries of the Amazon, the Madre de Dios River. The challenge is fully self-sufficient, carrying all your own gear which includes camping gear and dehydrated food. Challenges of the route include swift currents, multiple rapids up to a grade 3, high humidity as well as no-stop zones and uncontacted tribes. On the 2nd June 2024, Caroline Dawson, Jonathan Gill and Matthew Philips set out to conquer the Amazon Challenge. Before leaving, they were kitted out with Lifesystems gear including MAX Mosquito Repellent, a Mountain Leader First Aid Kit and plenty of Sun Cream. Day 1 After a day of safety training and a navigation session, the team were ready to start their challenge. Day one began with swift-flowing water and within the first few hundred meters, they had already encountered their first of many rapids. After lunch on a sandy riverbank surrounded by jaguar paw prints, they carried on to Shintuya, the land of the Harakmbut people. Day one ended after 48km, listening to stories from village elders and getting their first Jagua fruit tattoos by the fire. Day 2 After breakfast in the jungle, Caroline, Jonathan and Matthew set off on day two where they would cover 34km. Despite being the shortest stage of the Amazon, they encountered some of the largest boils and whirlpools they had ever seen before. The second day ended by spending time with the Shipetiari community where they were treated to Masata, a traditional Peruvian drink and interacted with the local villagers, showing the children their boards. Day 3 Day three kicked off with almost 40km of continuous zones as they travelled through the land of the Mascho Piro tribe, who are believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe on earth. After reaching the end of the non-stop zone, the team had a medical check and a well-deserved beer before carrying on their journey. After reaching their forest camp for the night, the team set up their tents only to discover they had camped just meters away from a nest of tarantulas! The evening concluded with a nighttime forest walk where they learnt more about some of the neighbouring wildlife. Day 4 While navigating the next 68k on day four, the team were treated to an incredible wildlife encounter of endangered giant otters playing nearby. With the high humidity and temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, the team were grateful for their Lifesystems Sun Cream keeping them protected. Water sources were becoming an issue at this point due to the pollution from local gold mining operations. The team had to rely on once-daily refills from the local support crew to drink enough to keep their salts topped up. Day 5 Day five was the longest paddle day yet and the day the scenery changed. They left the untouched rainforest behind and began to see signs of man’s interference. The forest thinned and the diesel engines chugged. They had now entered the heart of gold country and nearing the town of Bocu Colorado. After making the checkpoint cut-off with thirty seconds to spare, they settled down to watch one of the most memorable sunsets of their trip. Day 6 The last day of their adventure, day six, unfortunately started out with a medical emergency. A swarm of large Amazonian wasps started chasing them and Matthew got stung on the hand. Luckily, they had their Lifesystems First Aid Kit with them and were able to administer antihistamines quickly and easily. With one final effort, the team paddled around the largest meander and the finish line was in sight. Day six marked the day Caroline became the first woman to paddle this Madre de Dios River section on a SUP. Cold beers were in order, topped off with smiles from ear to ear, to celebrate their fantastic achievements. Adventurers like this inspire us greatly and all of us here at Lifesystems are thrilled to have been a supporter as well as been able to supply them with the necessary kit for them to be able to complete this incredible challenge! Fancy giving the Amazon Canoe Challenge a go in 2025? Learn more about Caroline and her Sup Lass Paddle Adventures
