Two paddlers traveling along Türkiye's coastline to promote water sports among young people have reached the northwestern province of Çanakkale after departing from Istanbul earlier this month, marking another milestone in an ambitious expedition that aims to end at the Turkish-Syrian border.
Retired canoe coach Onur Çağlar and former Air Force non-commissioned officer Halil Uzel set off from Rumeli Feneri in Istanbul on June 13, paddling an average of 25 to 30 kilometers (15.5 to 18.6 miles) a day. Battling strong currents, rough seas and changing weather conditions, the pair crossed the Bosporus and the Marmara Sea before arriving at the Çanakkale Strait.
The expedition is part of a broader effort to encourage children and young people to discover canoeing, kayaking and other water sports while highlighting Türkiye's extensive coastline as a destination for outdoor adventure.
After reaching Çanakkale, the paddlers plan to continue along the Anatolian coast toward Hatay, Türkiye's southernmost province bordering Syria, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Turkish-Syrian border.
For Çağlar, the journey is the continuation of a long-held dream. He began paddling 109 days ago from the Sarp Border Gate on Türkiye's northeastern frontier. Initially accompanied by fellow paddler Ali Arıcan, he continued the expedition alone after his partner suffered a hand injury.
