10.11.2026 10:43
Retired canoe coach Oral Çağlar reached the İskenderun district of Hatay after rowing approximately 4,400 kilometers in 247 days on a journey he began from the Sarp Border Gate in Artvin with a 5-meter sea kayak. Having left the Black Sea, Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean behind, Çağlar plans to complete his '4 Seas 4 Borders' project at the Syrian border within a few days.
Retired canoe coach Oral Çağlar reached the İskenderun district of Hatay on the sea journey he began by canoe from Artvin 247 days ago to realize his dream of traveling around Turkey's coasts by rowing. Çağlar, who has rowed approximately 4,400 kilometers, aims to complete his journey at the Syrian border.
HE SET OFF FROM THE SARP BORDER CROSSING
Canoe coach Oral Çağlar has reached the final stage of his "4 Seas 4 Borders" project, in which he aims to row across Turkey's four seas and reach the borders of four seas. In the journey he began from the Sarp Border Crossing in Artvin, Çağlar left the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean seas behind and reached İskenderun Fishing Shelter after a 247-day journey. Çağlar, who progressed using entirely his own rowing power with his approximately 5-meter-long sea canoe, also left the Mediterranean stage behind.
"I AM BRINGING TO LIFE THE PROJECT I DREAMED OF"
Providing information about his journey in İskenderun, Oral Çağlar stated that he works as a technical canoe coach and has taught canoeing to children, young people, and adults for many years, and said, "After retiring, I am bringing to life the project I have dreamed of for a long time. I reached İskenderun by rowing a total of 4,400 kilometers in 247 days."
FINAL STOP: THE SYRIAN BORDER
Noting that not every day of his journey was spent at sea, Çağlar conveyed that adverse weather conditions and rest breaks are also included in the total duration. Drawing attention to the fact that İskenderun Bay has heavy sea traffic, Çağlar stated that he therefore passed the bay cautiously, and said, "I had to wait a few days in İskenderun due to weather conditions; if the weather is favorable, I plan to complete my project by reaching the Syrian border within a few days."