Water has always been a prominent force in Mark Kalch’s life. Growing up on the shores of the Pacific in Australia, his love of swimming, surfing, and other water sports began at a young age. But he didn’t find his passion for paddling until his early 20s. Since then, the adventurer has taken to the water for some noteworthy trips, but nothing holds a candle to his latest challenge—paddling the longest river on each of the seven continents.

The idea actually came to him during a journey on land. After walking 1,300 miles across the Islamic Republic, a trip that took about 60 days on foot, Kalch reached the Persian Gulf and immediately began planning his next adventure.

“Rather than another random expedition to a far-off place, my friend suggested [paddling] the longest river on each continent,” he said. “I had already completed the Amazon River, which provided a good base from which to begin. I researched it a little more and the idea began to solidify.”

Combined, paddling the seven longest rivers on Earth means traveling an astounding 22,000 miles. Each river expedition is a monumental task on its own, requiring months of preparation and research. “I’m trying to descend one river every two years if I can,” Kalch said. “The preparation takes a lot of work. It’s all done from scratch. There are certainly no outfitters taking me down these rivers. It’s me, plus some friends who help out […] and a few others who provide me with intel.”

Kalch has partnered with a number of outdoor brands that will provide him with some of the equipment he needs. Everything else is funded by Kalch himself. Equipment such as a PFD, dry jacket, skirt, throw bag, and electronics must all fit into his chosen boat. “Having the right paddles and boat is also critical, and safety equipment is paramount,” he explained.

7 Rivers, 7 Continents began in 2007 when Kalch and his three-person team paddled the 4,300-mile length of the Amazon River, a journey that took them a staggering 153 days. After that, Kalch decided to battle the waters of the Missouri-Mississippi River alone, completing his second journey in 117 days.

“Solo travel is the most straightforward but can only be applied if possible,” Kalch said. This is why after he completes his trip down the Volga River, he will once again team up with friends to tackle the Nile and the Yangtze expeditions. “Due to the difficult whitewater [on the Nile and Yangtze], if things go bad, it’s all over. I am lucky to know some really high-level paddlers who will come with me on at least part of these rivers.”

His current expedition, paddling the Russian waters of the Volga, is a 2,300-mile trip he estimates will take him about 75 days. Being on a river alone for that long may not be everyone’s cup of tea but Kalch has learned to appreciate every second of the adventure. “I try to use my expeditions to tell stories in words and images,” he said. “On my descents, I record in my journal everything I observe, how I feel, everything. The same with photos. I photograph everything and anything.

“As you make your way down the river you realize there is so much more to these journeys. The people, the surroundings, everything. I felt ignoring that and concentrating on the excitement and hardship alone was a waste.” As he makes his way down the Volga, for example, Kalch continues to stop and mingle with the surrounding communities. He also explores the land when in search of the perfect campsite.

Though Kalch is a true adventurer, he is also a realist. As such, he sees his 7 Rivers, 7 Continents project as a fun escape from the norm, not the end-all, be-all of existence. “I think the greatest thing I have learned undertaking this project is that you must love what you are doing,” he said. “If you are chasing records or ticking boxes for an ego boost, then you are not going to have a great time. I realize now that I could have sat down and chosen any river on each continent (not just the longest) and perhaps even created an even more fulfilling project.”

Once the Volga is conquered, the dedicated dad will return home to enjoy time with his wife and children. He hopes to battle the waters of another river in 2016, but until then he plans continue to nurture his passion for paddling and photography, as well as grow his new clothing brand, Paddlers First.

“There are countless moments on these descents [that] are pure magic,” Kalch reflected. “Moments that taken alone are enough for a lifetime and I am lucky enough to experience them over and over. The perfect camp, meeting beautiful and generous locals, so many. Least favorite is missing my young family […] by far the toughest part.”

Visit Kalch’s website to learn more about 7 rivers, 7 continents.

Images courtesy Mark Kalch