Karl Krüger
In the 2017 Race to Alaska (R2AK), Karl became the first, and only, person to paddle the 750 mile race course on a Stand Up Paddleboard, completing the race in 14 days and 6 hours.
In 2022 Karl paddled 420 miles of the Northwest Passage from Tuktoyaktuk to Paulatuk in Canada's Northwest Territories. What began as a single-season bid evolved into a multi-year expedition to go deeper into what the Arctic offers.
About
Karl Krüger has been on the water his whole life.
His father began his education as a paddler when he was 3 years old. He taught himself to windsurf at age 12, 38 years ago. Karl began teaching sailing when he was 17, and now holds a United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Master’s License with Sail and Tow endorsements. For over 20 years, he has cruised extensively in the San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands, the Canadian Coast, and Alaska.
Karl holds a B.S. in Environmental Science/ Toxicology and an A.A.S. in Ecology and Environmental Technology. He also holds current certifications for CPR and Outdoor Emergency Care.
Upcoming Events
Recent Media
SAIL
Captaining the 64 foot Bruce Roberts steel cutter Ocean Watch, Karl will lead the South East Alaska Flotilla for the Summer 2023 season with Kruger Sea and Seattle Yachts.
Teaming up with Backcountry Medical Guides, Karl will captain S/V Ocean Watch as part of Maritime Medical Guides' Spring 2023 Maritime Wilderness First Responder Program.
PADDLE
In 2022, Karl paddled 420 miles of the Arctic Ocean's Northwest Passage on his custom Bark SUP, solo and unsupported from Tuktoyaktuk, Canada to Paulatuk, Canada. In July of 2023, Karl will return to the Arctic for the second leg of his 1,900 mile journey.
Karl is also a four time SUP first-place finisher in Northwest Maritime Center's Seventy48 Race: 70 miles in 48 hours, all by human power. Karl has finished each of his wins in under 18 hours.
In 2017 Karl became the first person to complete the Race to Alaska, 750 miles from Port Townsend, WA to Ketchikan, AK by Stand up Paddleboard, completing that race in 14 days and 6 hours -- just minutes behind a double-handed trimaran.
SURF
All work and no play makes a dull life. Karl finds renewal in surfing the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest Coast and chartering Sail to Surf trips with KrügerSEA.
SKI
Back in the 1990s, Karl joined friends on a Sail to Ski trip on the Canadian Coastal Range. The dream was born.
Learn more about joining Karl on S/V Ocean Watch on a Spring 2024 Sail to Ski.
