Welcome to Sea Paddlers Blue Ribbon of Sweden

Jury meeting 2025-10-25

Date: 2025-10-25

On Saturday, October 25, there was a jury meeting for Annika Nilrud at Peter Sjödin's home in Västerås. This time the jury consisted of Thorvald Nielsen, Ben Strengell and chairman Peter. During the paddling, Annika had a "tracker" on the kayak that logged her position every 10 minutes. Annika had imported the entire route into Google Maps so we could follow her paddling around Sweden in detail via the computer. From time to time during the paddling around Sweden the weather was difficult, but Annika was mentally prepared to do fun things on windy days. Many of us who followed her paddling were delighted with the daily updates filled with interesting and funny comments - probably the best blog so far in HBB's history. Those of you who want to have a fun time in front of the computer can read the blog. There was no doubt that the jury could approve the paddling. After the briefing, Annika and her husband Ulf were treated to a sandwich with a drink, followed by coffee and a delicious cake with both a kayak and an inscription. Annika proudly shows off Jim Danielsson's book 100,000 KILOMETERS IN SEA KAYAK and the fine miniature kayak made by Mats Grindvik Annika and jury members Ben, Thorvald and Peter The delicious the cake Annika cuts a piece of the beautiful cake

The first and only paddler year 2025

Date: 2025-08-09

Annika Nilrud became the first and only paddler to reach the national border marker Nº 59 in Haparanda this year. It took a total of 82 days. The total paddle distance was 2551 km. Her travelogue and beautiful pictures have been top class. We will miss Annika's daily updates.

Leena interrupts her paddling

Date: 2025-07-24

The weather has not been kind to this year's paddlers. After a delayed start, Leena has stubbornly fought on, but felt that her body did not want to participate anymore. All credit for fighting well!

Göran interrupts his paddling

Date: 2025-06-26

After a break due to injury, Göran has had problems with the aftereffects of Covid. He hopes to make a fresh start perhaps next year. We wish him a welcome back then.

Leena Jylli has started

Date: 2025-06-15

As the third and probably last paddler for this year, Leena has started her long journey towards Haparanda. We hope that the weather will finally get better and wish Leena the best of luck!

Göran Blomqvist takes a break

Date: 2025-05-27

Göran has been fighting hard in strong winds and rain. He has come to Torekov and decided to take a break due to an injury. Göran hopes to resume his paddling in a few weeks. Hopefully the weather will have improved by then.

Annika Nilrud has started

Date: 2025-05-19

In the brilliant May sun, Annika started her long journey towards Haparanda. We wish Annika the best of luck!

Göran Blomqvist has started

Date: 2025-05-10

In the morning, Göran started his long journey.. You can follow his journey via this link We wish Göran the best of luck!

Third registration for the year 2025

Date: 2025-03-14

On March 14th, Leena Jylli signed up to start her paddling on May 17th, 2025. We wish Leena good luck with her preparations and look forward to her start. There are currently no approved paddles for veteran women, so when Leena crosses the finish line, she will be setting a record for the veteran women class. Maybe that will be an extra motivation :-)

Thank you to Mats Grindvik

Date: 2025-01-28

Since the founding of the Blue Ribbon of Sea Paddlers, Mats Grindvik has manufactured fantastic miniature kayaks for those who have completed an HBB paddle and been approved. All of us who have received such a miniature kayak can rejoice in it as a nice and tangible reminder of a well-executed paddle. Since the start, 205 HBB paddlings have been carried out, so there are about 200 miniature kayaks that Mats has made during all these years. Now, with the right of age, Mats has announced that he will not make any more miniature kayaks. We therefore want to send a big THANK YOU to Mats! Mats has a few miniature kayaks in the works, which can be completed for the first of this year's paddlers. When they are finished, there will be a newly designed alternative. More on that later.

Peter Sjödin

Second registration for the year 2025

Date: 2025-01-01

On the first day of the year, January 1, Annika Nilrud signed up to start her paddling on May 15, 2025. We wish Annika good luck with her preparations and look forward to her start.

First registration for the year 2025

Date: 2024-10-24

On October 24, 2024, Göran Blomqvist signed up to start his paddling on May 15, 2025. We wish him the best of luck with his preparations and look forward to his start next year

Honorary Chairman

Date: 2024-09-16

At the jury meeting on 2024-09-15, Jim Danielsson was appointed as honorary chairman. Jim founded HBB and has been its chairman since its inception. In this way, we want to thank Jim for his great efforts for the Sea Paddlers Blue Ribbon.

Peter Sjödin