{"id":37166,"date":"2025-08-12T00:00:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T07:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/?p=37166"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:13:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T16:13:33","slug":"from-paddle-to-print-the-journey-behind-the-balkan-river-defences-soca-from-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/12\/from-paddle-to-print-the-journey-behind-the-balkan-river-defences-soca-from-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/","title":{"rendered":"From Paddle to Print: The Journey Behind the Balkan River Defence\u2019s So\u010da from Source to Sea Paddling Guidebook"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Between the sharp peaks of the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea&#8217;s Gulf of Trieste runs a stunning flow, carving one of the most beautiful valleys in the old continent\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37072 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124811\/SocaS2S-31-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The So\u010da River. An iconic waterway, worshipped by paddlers of all vessels. Unfortunately, most paddlers know only a few sections of this 138 km river. The romance of emerald whitewater and allure of simple shuttle means few have ventured further downstream than the town of Tolmin. But isn\u2019t exploration part of what makes traveling by the power of a paddle so special?<\/p>\n<p>One warm May morning, a curious crew of six set out to explore the So\u010da from source to sea, inspired by the making of the <em>So\u010da from Source to Sea &#8211; Paddling Guidebook<\/em>. A biologist who is a fisherman. A vegan who is a musician. A hunter who is an ornithologist. A photographer who is an alpinist. A videographer who is a foodie. And myself. Each of us saw the river from our own unique perspectives, the details of the guidebook and our real-life experiences combining to create a So\u010da River we never knew existed.<\/p>\n<p>The following photo essay combines excerpts from the book and reflection from the team who created the book.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/12\/from-paddle-to-print-the-journey-behind-the-balkan-river-defences-soca-from-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/soca-vodnik_00035_web_res\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/11112116\/SOCA-vodnik_00035_web_res-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-66\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125230\/SocaS2S-66-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h4><strong>STARTING AT THE SOURCE <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The source of a river is like the roots of a tree \u2013 hidden yet essential, providing the essence of everything downstream and anchoring the entire system to its origin. The So\u010da has two sources in Slovenia\u2019s Julian Alps, one that is easy to access and one that is not.<\/p>\n<p><em>The real, but less well-known and less spectacular (but therefore much more romantic) source is high in the mountains, where two geological layers meet underground and bring the waters of emerald beauty to the surface for a short time before sinking again into a thick layer of scree and gravel, which flow into such pristine alpine valleys. The journey to So\u010da&#8217;s true source, fittingly, is longer and more demanding, which is true to most good things in life.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven the drive to the parking lot was beautiful \u2013 the forest, the streams, the gravel road and traditional alpine-style houses, it was like being in the old Slovenian folk story &#8216;Kekec,&#8217;\u201d recounts Branko, the musician. \u201cAll in the middle of nature surrounded by giant mountains. It just felt like everything was alive.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-28-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125908\/SocaS2S-28-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-25-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125846\/SocaS2S-25-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>We started our descent at the second source, where the water re-emerges as a karst spring from a limestone cave at an elevation of approximately 900 meters above sea level. The spring releases crystal-clear turquoise water that cascades down a rocky gorge before forming the river proper. It\u2019s not hard to find, but it takes a bit of walking (and climbing) to reach. Even from the start, the So\u010da makes you work for her secrets.<\/p>\n<h4>ROCK SPLATS + REWARDS<\/h4>\n<p>The trail that follows the upper So\u010da is beautiful \u2013 a worthwhile adventure in its own right \u2013 but we were happy to slide off the rocks at Velika Korita and let the paddling begin. It seemed the So\u010da was also happy, delivering a gift some would consider a good omen for the trip ahead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe were doing rock splats when we spotted some beers floating in the river, bobbing around just under the surface,&#8221; says Bor, the hunter. &#8220;We saw one, two, three beers and we were stoked! Some more popped up and then Rok hauled out the whole flat of beer! We were fishing for beer for kilometers, finding them all the way down to \u010cezso\u010da!\u201d<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-23-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125829\/SocaS2S-23-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-19-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125758\/SocaS2S-19-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-20-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125807\/SocaS2S-20-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/default-39\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125814\/SocaS2S-21-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><em>The uppermost paddleable section of the So\u010da River will captivate you with its diversi\u00adty and beauty, offering everything from paddling over gravel beds and exploring narrow gorges to navigating rapids among large boulders, all under the majestic Julian Alps. On the right bank, you&#8217;ll see the Bav\u0161ki Grintavec ridge with Svinjak peak, while the left bank is dominated by Krn with the Krn\u010dica ridge. It&#8217;s the perfect stretch to start your journey towards the sea.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong>FLORA + FAUNA<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>After the village of \u010cezso\u010da, the valley opens up and the panorama of surrounding mountains warrants just leaning back in your boat and letting the water spin you to properly take it all in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI spend a lot of time looking down when I\u2019m in my kayak,\u201d says Rok. \u201cThe gin-clear water of the So\u010da means I can spot fish, and depending what section of river I\u2019m paddling, different species of fish will be present.\u201d Rok is a fly-fishing guide, biologist and founder of BRD. He wrote the guidebook, combining a passion for river conservation, a love of kayaking and a wish to help the river. Fostering an understanding of healthy river systems was an important component of the book, as was spelling out responsible river use by including tips for minimizing environmental impact, such as respecting fish spawning behaviour and avoiding bird nesting areas. Rok uses humour to illustrate these important points.<\/p>\n<p><em>If you are too lazy to make a few extra strokes around the spawning pit of any of the So\u010da fishes, just think how you would feel if, during the most passionate moment of love-mak\u00ading, someone with a kayak on his shoulder walked through your bedroom and inadvertently smacked you on the head with a paddle.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37140 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125649\/SocaS2S-10-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>BOOF VIBES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The book also features a section on river terminology, water levels, whitewater difficulty ratings and general river etiquette.<\/p>\n<p><em>Boof \u2013 A paddling manoeuvre in which, at the edge of a feature or an obstacle in the water, you take a long stroke and, at the same time, lift your knees. When done correctly, part or most of the bottom of the kayak lifts off the water&#8217;s surface, allowing you to fly over a danger\u00adous area of whitewater. This manoeuvre can also be used just for fun. <\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong>RIVER TRAFFIC JAMS<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Of the entire So\u010da, the stretch from \u010cezso\u010da to Trnovo sees the most aquatic traffic. \u201cIt was important to the whole team to use the book to avoid contributing to over-tourism or environmental harm by dispersing paddling traffic,\u201d says Rok.<\/p>\n<p>The So\u010da\u2019s commercial whitewater popularity in the peak of tourist season (July and August) often results in overcrowding, which puts pressure on the river\u2019s ecosystem. By encouraging exploration in pre- and after-season, and of the entire river, the guidebook highlights lesser-known sections and helps relieve pressure on overused areas.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-82\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125440\/SocaS2S-82-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-18-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125752\/SocaS2S-18-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/default-40\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125822\/SocaS2S-22-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/default-34\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125630\/SocaS2S-07-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-37137\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-37137'>\n\t\t\t\tdefault\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cIf I compare the So\u010da Valley now to 20 years ago when I was coming here as a kid, it has changed for sure. I remember it was really wild, and that feeling has stuck with me, a strong memory associated with the river and region. Now it has grown in popularity and it\u2019s not the same, but I still really enjoy time by the river and I really enjoyed exploring the So\u010da in a different way through the creation of this guidebook, getting off the beaten path.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4><strong>KATARAKT<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>If there is one place where you won\u2019t find crowds, it\u2019s in the So\u010da\u2019s revered Katarakt section. Rightfully so, as it is a temple of sorts, for Slovenian whitewater lovers. Unfortunately, local politics has cast a dark shadow over \u2018the gorge,\u2019 forbidding paddling it, and adding steep fees to paddle the section of the river in the municipality of Kobarid.<\/p>\n<p><em>The latest changes to the regulations (to a decree that was first accepted over 20 years ago) were adopted in 2024. The extreme increase in permit prices for paddling on the So\u010da in the municipalities of Bovec, Kobarid, and Tolmin caused a lot of justified discontent, leading to the regulations undergoing a constitutional review and were partly accepted and partly withheld. This guidebook does not list the currently valid prices and terms, as they will most likely change again in the next season. Each user of the guidebook is obliged to inquire about the current requirements, and, based on this, make a decision regarding compliance with them\u2026 Let this be another incentive to get to know the lesser-known parts of the So\u010da.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/default-17\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08124819\/SocaS2S-32-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-56\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125115\/SocaS2S-56-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The Katarakt is one of the most respected parts of the So\u010da, in scenery, irascibility and the potential danger. \u201cEach section has its own unique beauty \u2013 but the Katarakt is a bit untouchable,\u201d says Branko. \u201cTo get the experience of paddling through it you have to really dedicate yourself to kayaking, and that way it remains inaccessible for many.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>This stage is reserved for only the best and most experienced kayakers, because in combination with countless enormous grey-white boulders and the beautiful emerald colour of the So\u010da, it is also home to innumerable undercuts and siphons, which have already been fatal for many experienced kayakers from all over the world. In other words, here it&#8217;s for real. This is a sequence of rapids of solid Class IV\u2013V whitewater with Class VI consequences.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong>MELLOW OUT<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Both the politics and the river calm down a bit after Kobarid with mellow whitewater, stunning vistas and time to birdwatch. Then, things calm down a bit too much thanks to the first dam on the So\u010da.<\/p>\n<p><em>The So\u010da River, from its source to the sea, is cruelly cut by seven large dams and two weirs. Until 1905, this extraordinary river flowed freely, allowing the unhindered migration of fish species between the sea and the river as well as between different sections of the river.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37105 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125214\/SocaS2S-64-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would much rather photograph and film a river than a dam,\u201d says Ro\u017ele Bregar, photographer for the guidebook. \u201cThe So\u010da before the dams is so beautiful \u2013 it\u2019s natural and alive and has flow. The dams stop the flow and with it they stop the flow of colours and gradients. Rivers are of course more dynamic to photograph than something static like a dam, but it\u2019s a challenge, in a good way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>RESERVOIRS + RESIDENTS<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most whitewater paddlers are all but allergic to flatwater. But some people look for the silver linings, and Bor found birdwatching the best way to distract from the monotony of paddling the So\u010da\u2019s reservoirs.<\/p>\n<p><em>The upper course of the river, rich in mountains, often offers the chance to observe golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), or even a kettle of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), who fly daily from their colonies on the Croatian island of Cres and the cliffs above the Italian river Tagliamento in search of carrion among the peaks of the So\u010da Valley.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In the dammed sections of the middle So\u010da, the situation is different. Here, you can observe yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), mute swans (Cygnus olor) and great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), all of which are species of lowland rivers and were not here before the construction of dams and the resulting reservoirs.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-68\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125246\/SocaS2S-68-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/12\/from-paddle-to-print-the-journey-behind-the-balkan-river-defences-soca-from-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/copy-of-0939_soca_fotorozlebregar_dsc07465\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/11112112\/Copy-of-0939_Soca_fotoRozleBregar_DSC07465-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h4><strong>BORDER CROSSING BY BOAT<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>\u201cAs a Canadian who grew up paddling in the wide expanses of northern Ontario, it was pretty exotic to paddle across a border into a new country,\u201d says Carmen, the author of this blog.<\/p>\n<p><em>Of course, there are no borders in nature, but they are part of the nature of human society, so 130 metres downstream from the footbridge, when you see border stones on the banks, you can congratulate yourself on (legally) entering another country. In self-propelled vessels and without any formalities, this is a rarity even today and therefore an interesting experience. You are now officially on the Isonzo River.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The whole crew was shocked by how wild the So\u010da (now Isonzo) remains on its way to the sea, despite the dams. From the air, videographer Matic Oblak and Ro\u017ele got the heron\u2019s-eye view of the river, noting how the braids and meanders \u2013 shaped by highwater events \u2013 restore habitat for water birds and vegetation.<\/p>\n<p><em>The labyrinths of beautiful river channels, romantic meanders, and incredible views to the north from where you paddled and where the river flowed, make this stage truly special. In Europe, you can count on one hand the number of large rivers that remain crystal clear even in their lowland sections. The So\u010da, called the Isonzo here, is one of them and the only one that, in addition to the scent of the sea, offers an emerald hue.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37120 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125415\/SocaS2S-79-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Italian parts of the river are more influenced by dams, but there are some really nice sections of the river down there,\u201d says Ro\u017ele. \u201cIt becomes wild again. I didn\u2019t expect this in Italy and I\u2019m happy we can show people that there are nice sections here too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wild enough that fishing becomes an option again.<\/p>\n<p><em>In fishing, there are specific fishing seasons and restrictions, including minimum allowable sizes for each species and, of course, limits on the number of fish you can take. Permits for the upper and middle stretches of the river are available at well-known hotels and campsites along the river. <\/em><\/p>\n<h4><strong>SWEET OR SALTY<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Even the sweetest songs have a final note, and the musician on the trip agrees. \u201cWe (Rok) planned to arrive at the sea when the tide was going out so the river was pushing us and the sea was pulling us,\u201d he recounts. \u201cThere was no distinct line between the So\u010da and the sea, and although we were already well out from the river mouth, the water was still fresh (or sweet, as it is directly translated from Slovenian).\u201d<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-7' class='gallery galleryid-37166 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/default-35\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125642\/SocaS2S-09-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-08-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125636\/SocaS2S-08-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2025\/08\/14\/soca-source-to-sea-behind-the-scenes-of-the-soca-source-to-sea-paddling-guidebook\/socas2s-01-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125546\/SocaS2S-01-1-100x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cThere was this moment of quiet, just floating and watching and admiring the confluence. Like a deep exhale with extreme happiness and some sadness too, because the trip was ending. All the experience took root inside us and that was the gift of the trip I think.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Don&#8217;t be surprised if the water under your paddle suddenly becomes lighter and your speed slower. You have found yourself in the tidal zone, where salty seawater is pushed upstream by the tide. This dance of salty and fresh water reaches its peak twice a day, but you will find it more pleasant when the river takes the lead, as the pull of the tide will join its flow.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Eventually, the kayakers had to turn into the tide, the peaceful bubble of reflection popped by the need to paddle against the flow of the river to get back to the take-out. Soon, the joking and chatting resumed, as did plans for our next source-to-sea adventure.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37128 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2kl15j267vxtq.cloudfront.net\/duct-tape\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/08125521\/SocaS2S-87-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">***<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Photography: Ro\u017ele Bregar and Rok Rozman<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Leeway Collective, founders of the initiative Balkan River Defence (BRD), officially launched their <a href=\"https:\/\/balkanriverdefence.org\/soca-isonzo-eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">So\u010da from Source to Sea &#8211; Paddling Guidebook<\/a> in December 2024. Paddlers from Bulgaria to British Columbia have since cracked the cover of copies offered in <a href=\"https:\/\/balkanriverdefence.org\/product-category\/books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">three languages<\/a>: English, Italian, and Slovenian. Its compact format (25 cm x 15 cm) makes it easy to stuff in a dry bag and bring along on the river yet is large enough to sit on your coffee table, a tantalizing reminder of adventures to come.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Buy your own or learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/balkanriverdefence.org\/soca-isonzo-eng\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/balkanriverdefence.org\/soca-isonzo-eng\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Between the sharp peaks of the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea&#8217;s Gulf of Trieste runs a stunning flow, carving one of the most beautiful&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47958,"featured_media":37173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[336],"tags":[609,25,13,316,728,729,32],"class_list":["post-37166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-explore","tag-balkan-river-defence","tag-fishing","tag-kayaking","tag-rafting","tag-soca-river","tag-soca-source-to-sea","tag-whitewater","post-grid"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From Paddle to Print: The Journey Behind the Balkan River Defence\u2019s So\u010da from Source to Sea Paddling Guidebook | Duct Tape Diaries | NRS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Carmen Kuntz travels the So\u010da River from source to sea, sharing insights from the making of the So\u010ba from Source to Sea 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Paddle to Print: The Journey Behind the Balkan River Defence\u2019s So\u010da from Source to Sea Paddling Guidebook\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/community.nrs.com\\\/duct-tape\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/community.nrs.com\\\/duct-tape\\\/\",\"name\":\"Duct Tape Diaries\",\"description\":\"Duct Tape Diaries, NRS&#039;s official blog, entertains, educates, inspires and celebrates the paddling lifestyle through compelling storytelling and photography.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/community.nrs.com\\\/duct-tape\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/community.nrs.com\\\/duct-tape\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3fb29b6e10b0ec7aa5e52790a8c53466\",\"name\":\"Carmen 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