Welcome to Sea Paddlers Blue Ribbon of Sweden

Raimo has reached Haparanda
Date: 2026-07-05
Raimo Laakso arrived at riksröse 59 in Haparanda today at 10:15. The distance paddled was 2487 km in a total of 51 days. With the logbook online it has been easy to follow the paddling and with nice pictures. Just like the first two finishers, Raimo has completed long distances every day.

Finish picture at riksröse 59

 
 

Erik and Pernilla has started
Date: 2026-06-27
This morning at 06.30 Erik and Pernilla started their long journey towards Haparanda. Since Pernilla is doing her second HBB paddling, she will probably show Erik all the hidden gems along the coast. We wish them both good luck!

Start at Svinesund

 
 

First finish in 2026
Date: 2026-06-26
Mikael and Robert were the first two to reach the national border mark Nº59 in Haparanda this year. It took a total of 57 days. They have each had a logbook online with inspiring travel stories and nice pictures. We have been impressed by their long distances every day and with only a few days of rest. Compared to the starting picture on May 1, both kayakers now look more weathered.

Finish picture at the national cairn 59

 
 

Torbjörn has stopped paddling.
Date: 2026-06-26
Tobjörn writes: "The technique was fine but the body no longer recovered quickly enough after a week of paddling. I have had two hip surgeries in the last 2 years and the last one 6 months ago. Of course this has reduced my fitness, mobility and strength. After a sleepless night with pain in my back, both shoulders and running in my legs, I understood that my body had not recovered sufficiently after the surgeries."

Torbjörn hopes to make another attempt in two years.

 
 

Registration No. 9
Date: 2026-06-07
Today Paula Varonen signed up for her HBB paddling. She has previously paddled the Finnish coast twice.
Paula plans to start on June 13th

 
 

Raimo Laakso has started
Date: 2026-05-16

Today Raimo Laakso started from Svinesundsbron with the Finnish flag waving from the kayak.

We wish Raimo the best of luck!

 
 

New design on HBB miniature kayak
Date: 2026-05-10
Since the founding of Havspaddlarnas Blå Band, Mats Grindvik has manufactured about 200 fantastic miniature kayaks for those who have completed an HBB paddling and been approved. All of us who have received such a miniature kayak can rejoice in the nice and tangible reminder of a well-done paddling.

Miniature kayak

Mats only has a few miniature kayaks left, which can be selected by the first three of this year's paddlers. When they are finished, the newly designed alternative in the form of an oak plaque in the shape of Sweden will apply. On the plaque is a lifelike miniature kayak and a brass plaque with the name and information about the paddling. The start and finish are marked (example with Peter's latest paddle in 2013).

Miniature kayak
Peter Sjödin
 
 

Jan-Erik Liminka has started
Date: 2026-05-02

On the morning of May 2nd, Jan-Erik Liminka started in the footsteps of Mikael and Robert

Svinesundsbron

We also wish Jan-Erik the best of luck!

 
 

Registration No. 8
Date: 2026-05-02
Today Torbjörn Eliasson signed up for his second HBB paddle. He completed the first one in 2009.
Torbjörn plans to start on June 14th.

 
 

Mikael and Robert have started
Date: 2026-05-01

On the evening of May 1st, Mikael and Robert started their long journey towards Haparanda.

Svinesundsbron

It was a tough start with headwinds so it was a short stretch to Kattholmen
We wish them both the best of luck!

 
 

Registration no. 7 this year
Date: 2026-04-25
Now we have a new registration from Jan-Erik Liminka, who plans to start in a week. A few days before him, two other paddlers have planned to start. Maybe they will meet each other during the trip.

Jan-Erik, good luck with your final preparations.

 
 

The sixth registration of the year
Date: 2026-04-15
Today Per Berglund has registered. Per is a member of Västerås Kanotförening where many before him have paddled the Blue Ribbon. The start is scheduled for May 31st.
Good luck with the preparations!

 
 

Fifth registration
Date: 2026-03-30
Today Robert Celsing has also registered. He will paddle together with Mikael Landberg who is already registered. The start is planned for the first of May.
Good luck with the preparations!

 
 

Fourth paddler this year registered
Date: 2026-03-29
We have received a registration from our sister country to the east. It is Raimo Laakso from Finland who plans to start in mid-May.
He has previously paddled the entire Finnish coast and thus has experience of long paddling.
We wish him good luck with his preparations and look forward to his start.

 
 

New registration covering two paddlers
Date: 2026-03-17
The couple Pernilla Omberg and Erik Blomberg will embark on a joint HBB paddling with a relatively late start.
Pernilla has already completed an HBB paddling in 2016 so she knows what she is getting into.
We wish you good luck with the preparations and hope for good weather this summer.

 
 

First registration for the year 2026
Date: 2026-01-19

Mikael Landberg has registered to start his paddling on May 1, 2026. We wish him good luck with his preparations and look forward to his start.