Welcome to the 2026 Yukon1000 Kayak Race Team- “Off the Couch”
The Yukon 1000 is widely regarded as the most demanding paddle race in the world—a grueling 1,000-mile journey along the Yukon River. It’s as much a test of survival as it is of endurance: fully self-supported, with competitors paddling up to 18 hours a day over 6 to 9 days through the remote Arctic wilderness.
After an arduous selection process we were one of only 30 teams selected to compete out of 6000 applicants!
To make this dream come true, we need your help! Please scroll down to learn more or - Donate!
Check out the Official race website - www.yukon1000.org
Meet the Team!
Scott Parsons
Originally from the mid-west, Scott was introduced to kayaking at the age of 6 and has been passionate about it, and his place in the natural world, ever since. That passion led Scott all over the world— racing, seeking adventure, and to three Olympic Games as an athlete on the US Whitewater Slalom Team. Scott is also an avid paddler of one person outrigger canoes and surfskis on the island of Oahu, where he has lived for the better part of a decade.
Originally from Slovenia, A former US. Jr National Kayaking Champion, Nejc has competed for the US Kayaking team at numerous international races, has won triathlons, and lived a life of adventure exploring rivers and mountains all over the world. Also an avid skier and surfer he now resides in NYC, where he works as a cinematographer.
Nejc Poberaj
About the Yukon1000 Kayak Race
The Yukon1000 is widely regarded as the longest and one of the toughest kayak and canoe races in the world. Stretching nearly 1,000 miles along the remote Yukon River—from Whitehorse in Canada to the Dalton Highway Bridge in Alaska—it pushes teams to their absolute physical and mental limits. Competitors must paddle up to 18 hours a day for over a week, navigating powerful currents, unpredictable weather, and complete wilderness with no outside support.
This is not just a race—it’s a true expedition. Racers must be entirely self-sufficient, carrying all their food, gear, and safety equipment, camping along the riverbanks each night, and relying on their own skills to handle any challenges that arise. With limited access to help and rescue times that can stretch for days in remote sections, preparation, resilience, and teamwork are critical.
We are fundraising to make this incredible challenge possible. The costs go far beyond the race entry fee—they include specialized safety gear, expedition-grade equipment, travel logistics, food supplies, and extensive training needed to safely complete such a demanding journey. Your support will help us prepare properly, compete safely, and take on one of the world’s most iconic endurance races.
Every contribution brings us one step closer to the starting line—and ultimately, to the finish.
Check out the trailer from the 2023 documentary - “Push Past Impossible” to get more of an idea about the race.
