This Weekend: The Ultimate Paddler’s Delight – Join the Fun at the Laurel Festival!
The well-known paddling event that many look forward to each autumn is Laurel Creek! This event is not suitable for beginners because the fast rapids and low footbridges in this narrow, overgrown stream can be quite challenging. This year, on October 11 and 12, 2025, we will hold the 43rd edition.
The race course from Vavrinec to Toušice is 16 km long and has a difficulty rating of WW II-III. The stream gets trickier after the Church Bridge, reaching a WW III level of difficulty. There are crossing points at km 8.1 near the Davídkov Mill and at km 9.5 near Vlachovka, where you can find refreshments under the old tramp hut. Before you arrive in Toušice, you will tackle the Toušická cascade. This cascade is rated as WW IV, making it advisable only for experienced paddlers who are confident in their skills.
Water will be flowing from the Laurel Pond all weekend long. On Saturday morning, there is a planting ceremony, and as tradition goes, the creek tends to get crowded during this time. Adventurous participants can sign up for the race and enjoy getting splashed on Saturday, or opt for a more relaxed experience on Sunday. Typically, the river is less crowded on Sundays, providing beautiful spots to practice your paddling techniques. From the pond, you’ll navigate 7 km of fast-flowing water to Davídkov Mill, which features a steep gradient, twisting turns, trees, rocks, and dams. The pace eases a bit in the next 4.5 km to Doubravčany, and the final 4 km to Toušice see a gentler gradient as the water winds through a lowland area. Just before reaching the finish, there’s the challenging Toušická cascade, which is manageable to cross. The entry fee and swim fee are collected by the organizing group Vodáci Pečky, and this year they are 100 CZK.
