The Flatwater Challenge series is a grueling yet rewarding, multi-day endurance stand up paddle board event taking place every other year in remote locations all over the world. 100% of proceeds benefit Flatwater, an Austin-based nonprofit that provides mental health therapy in the wake of cancer.

The Flatwater Challenge series started in 2015 when we, Flatwater, took a group of paddlers to the SUP11-City Tour. We have since traveled to Lake Tahoe, Iceland, Antelope Canyon and Vancouver Island to paddle extreme distances pushing our minds and bodies to the limits. For the 10th anniversary of the Flatwater Challenge series we're going back to where it all began - the Netherlands to complete the SUP11-City Tour.

Flatwater Challenge: Netherlands 

September 7-16th, 2025

This challenge is not for the feint of heart, 220KM (136 miles) over 5 days throughout the northern province of the Netherlands, Friesland.  Paddlers will face varying weather conditions from calm and sunny to cold, rainy, and stormy. Paddlers will take on 41-48km (25-30 mi)  per day with stunning views of open fields dotted with windmills, cows, and sheep, as well as visiting eleven historical cities built since 1700.

Since 2009, participants have followed the original waterways where ice skaters once conquered this historic tour on frozen waters.

Flatwater Challenge: Netherlands promises to be a ultimate endurance adventure all while raising much needed funds for Flatwater. Each paddler will be required to raise a minimum of $10,000 as well as cover the cost of their airfare. Please consider making a contribution to one of our paddlers listed below. 

Flatwater provides mental health therapy in the wake of cancer. We connect individuals with therapists to help clear their mind, heal their body, and find the strength to take on a diagnosis. Since inception in 2010, Flatwater has provided over70,000 sessions of therapy to people in need. To learn more about Flatwater, please visit Flatwater.org.