Werner Staff
16-01-2026
Big Water, Big Stakes: Q&A with Alec Voorhees on Conquering the Indus
Idaho native and Werner Paddles athlete Alec Voorhees is no stranger to big water. Growing up on the North Fork of the Payette, he developed a comfort level in heavy conditions that has taken him to podiums and rivers around the globe. But for years, one specific river remained elusive: the Indus in Pakistan.
THE MISSION: WHY PAKISTAN?
To whitewater kayakers, the Indus River in Pakistan is a true pilgrimage site. It sits at the top of the bucket list as a high-volume proving ground that draws paddlers from around the world. After years of near-misses with timing, injuries, and logistics, one paddler finally made it happen. Here's what it takes to get there, what makes the Indus so legendary, and the lessons learned along the way.
Werner Paddles: You have paddled all over the world. What kept the Indus at the top of your list for so long?
Alec Voorhees: Up until this past fall, the number one destination for me was the Indus River in Pakistan. Growing up in Idaho on the Payette, big water has always been my favorite style. It is what I feel most comfortable in. The Indus is the peak of that big water experience. In previous years, injuries, timing, and work always seemed to get in the way. This year, it finally lined up. I had the time, a solid crew I trusted, and everyone was on the same program to run as much as possible.
WP: Once you got there, did the reality match the hype?
AV: What makes the Indus unforgettable is the sheer consistency. It is technical, high volume, and non-stop. While no single feature or rapid was necessarily the biggest thing I’ve ever run, the volume of massive rapids day after day accumulates into making it the hardest river. It is pool drop, but the relentlessness, surginess, and uncontrollable nature of the water set it apart.
WP: We heard you hit some unique conditions out there.
AV: We arrived to find much higher water than expected due to a heavy snow year in the Middle East. Being able to pick our way down safely was incredible. We actually completed two laps, which is usually not the norm for paddling. We finished our second lap in just three days, which is the fastest it has been done yet.
THE LOGISTICS: THE ART OF MOVING GEAR
WP: Let’s talk about the less glamorous part of expeditions. What is your system for flying with a kayak and paddles?
AV: When I’m getting ready to fly, I typically use a padded travel bag. It has enough room for about four paddles. Inside the bag, I wrap my layers around the blades and shafts to provide cushion so the carbon doesn't rub. My paddle bag is actually a super-useful packing tool because I can fit my throw bag, spray skirt, dry top, and or even dry suit in there.
For the kayak itself, I use a bag that I got on Amazon that is lightweight with a zipper. It packs up pretty small once I reach my destination.
WP: Dealing with airlines can be a nightmare for kayakers. Do you have a strategy for checking the boat?
AV: The biggest consideration is which airline takes kayaks. In the States, if you can get on Alaska or Southwest, those are the best guaranteed "boat on" airlines. Other airlines are hit or miss, depending on the agent you get that day. Always wrap the boat up and be very vague and call it "Surfing Equipment" if the airline has a no-kayak policy. Look for any piece on the website that might be long enough for your kayak to fall under. Show up early, smile, be nice, and don't take no for an answer as long as you can.
WP: Have you ever had that strategy fail?
AV: My wildest experience was flying to Chile. I was already boarded on a LATAM flight in Los Angeles when, ten minutes before takeoff, an agent came to my seat and said they wouldn't accept my kayak. I had tried to check it as a windsurfer because many airlines don't allow kayaks, but they had actually unwrapped my bag to check. It is common in LA for them to check oversized bags specifically for kayaks. I had to argue for hours. Eventually, they put me on a Delta flight and guaranteed the boat would get on, but the whole thing was an absolute fiasco.
The Gear: Dialing in the Setup
WP: You made a specific change to your paddle setup for this trip. Can you walk us through that?
AV: The Sho-Gun has been my go-to paddle for almost a decade now. It is predictable, confidence-inspiring, and very durable. I like the extra little bit of float that the foam core gives, but it can also take a beating.
In Pakistan, I used a longer paddle -- I switched to a 205 cm from my usual 203. On the Indus, I wanted that little bit of extra power. I was paddling a large Jackson Kayak Gnarvana, which has a super-wide bow. Getting that extra length meant I didn't have as much interference with the width of the boat. I lost a little bit of quick turnover, but I gained big, powerful, long strokes.
WP: Any final advice for someone planning their first international mission?
AV: I like to always have a little bit of gear on me when I am travelling. That way if an airline loses my bag, I at least have my helmet and sprayskirt or a drytop with me. It is nice to have a bit of something and not be stranded with no gear if it gets lost for a few days.
We appreciate Alec taking the time to answer some questions on navigating the challenging waters of international travel and an epic bucket list destination, the Indus. Be sure to check out the on and off-water payoffs in the Jack Grim Indus session video below.
INDUS SESSIONS: 2025
ABOUT ALEC
Idaho native Alec Voorhees grew up on the North Fork of the Payette, developing a deep passion for big water kayaking from an early age. A world championship podium finisher and 2016 GoPro Mountain Games Steep Creek champion, Alec has traveled the globe chasing some of the most challenging whitewater on earth—from British Columbia's Stikine River to the rivers of Norway, Zambia, Pakistan, and beyond. As a Team Jackson Kayak and Werner Paddles athlete, he continues to push the boundaries of whitewater kayaking while teaching the next generation at Kelly's Whitewater Park.