Interview with Ben Kwiatkowski, Captain of Team Expedition Canada
We are excited to share with you an interview with Ben Kwiatkowski, Captain of Team Expedition Canada.
Here's what America's Toughest Race/Expedition Oregon had to say about Ben in his recent solo race:
"There’s a man goin’ ‘round takin’ names…”
And that man is Ben Kwiatkowski 🔥 who takes 2nd in the Soloist Division and 3rd overall in Expedition Oregon - Americas Toughest Race 💥
When we first announced the Soloist Division of Expedition Oregon, Ben was the very first to throw his hat in the ring. This challenge has been on his radar for a long time, and we’ve been cheering him on from day one.
Always grinning — even when soaked, frozen, or scaling cliffs. He didn’t blink at the jumps, and he navigated this wild terrain like it was his own backyard.
We’re beyond proud of you, Ben. Thanks for showing up big, and bringing your grit and heart to the Wild, Wild West.
What was the event you participated in, and how did you do?
I recently completed the 400 km ARWS Expedition Oregon race in the newly formed solo category. We also recently completed the 180 km ARWS Rainier Raid as a three person coed team. We placed second in both races and successfully cleared the whole course.
How do you mentally prepare for the isolation and decision-making that comes with solo racing?
Being on top of regular prep and having your systems in order is even more important for solo racing. It is difficult to prepare for the isolation and making difficult decisions on your own, but if everything else is in check, it's just another piece of adversity to mitigate. If your body is ready for adversity, you can deal with difficult decisions without worrying about the physical nature of the situation. Adventure racing is a sport where you are constantly challenged with various types of adversity and need to constantly adapt in the moment.
Would you do anything differently next time?
I would find a way to keep the drive alive. With teammates around you, it is easy to keep pushing hard and stay efficient. When you are racing solo for that long, you can fall into the trap of becoming complacent for short periods of time. Sometimes you forget you are racing when alone for multiple hours, especially in the middle of the night. In the last leg, I was pushing very hard to catch the team that was only 10 minutes ahead. After a small navigation error (which, unknown to me, they made as well), I decided to just coast to the finish as they were in a different category. If I was with a team, we would have continued to push hard right to the end. Competitiveness can be hard to maintain for that long when you don'thave others to keep you accountable.
What was your strategy for pacing yourself and managing energy without teammates to push or encourage you?
After doing multiple races over the years, you start to learn what a competitive and sustainable pace is. Initially, you will have to push yourself to hold that pace, but after becoming familiar with it, anything slower feels abnormal. Quickly, you will realize that your pace has dropped and bring yourself back to a race pace. In a high-functioning team, everyone is aware of the pace change, and one of the four will quickly recognize it. When you are solo, it's up to you to recognize it as quickly as possible.
Was there a moment where you questioned your decision to race solo — and how did you work through it?
Only at the end of the race, when I wish my friends and teammates were there to celebrate! There were other small moments that would have been fun to share, but it all culminated at the end, crossing the line. Overall, it was a very positive experience, and the only time I questioned the decision was in the packraft on the flat water. Monotonous moments like that are nice to have teammates to chat with and encourage each other. I was quite thankful that I had a boat which was faster than any of the other solo packrafts.
Were there any unexpected challenges or highlights on the water, especially while racing solo and being 100% self-reliant?
Paddling class 2-3 whitewater solo in a canyon is definitely challenging! Building a baseline that includes confidence in your paddling and experience with reading rapids is key. Having a boat that you can trust brings it all together. I was briefly pinned after hitting a rock sideways, but by knowing the packraft well, I was able to pull the skirt, hang on to my paddle, and retrieve the boat (with a little bit of adrenaline in tow).
How did the MRS Nomad perform during the race?
This was the first time using a solo packraft, and the MRS Nomad exceeded expectations. It is very similar to the Barracuda, which is proving to be one of the best for adventure racing. It is slender enough for flat water, stable in the whitewater, and comfortable for long paddles. When racing as a three pack, it is, of course, slower than the double Barracuda, but it did surprisingly well at keeping up.
Can you share a moment that really stuck with you — whether it was a tough low point or a personal victory?
The whole race was a very memorable experience; however, the most exhilarating part was paddling the Crooked River, which consisted of sustained Class 2-3 in a canyon. That section of the race really pushed my comfort level and kept mehyper-focused on reading the water perfectly. More than once, I yelled with excitement after putting in a corrective stroke after getting broadsided by a wave. I thankfully had a stable boat and was able to stay upright for the whole river.
What advice would you give to someone attempting their first solo adventure race?
Be comfortable in remote locations on your own. We often train solo, but usually at relatively short distances and close to home. Try to get out there to see how it feels to be in a very remote location with help a long way away. One of the best ways to do that is a very big multi-sport day where you bike to a remote trailhead and do a big bushwhacking mission on foot.
After this race, do you see yourself doing more solo events, or are you going to stick with your Expedition Canada team?
Yes and yes! Doing a long race solo is a very unique experience and tests you in unique ways. I enjoyed it a lot and will definitely seize the opportunity if it comes up again. However, racing with a team is a lot more fun. I much prefer racing with others, especially friends/teammates who I love spending time with. The struggles and pain seem more tolerable when you are suffering in solidarity. Even more important though, are the special moments that are much more memorable when you can share them with your team.
What is the best way for people to get in touch with you?
Thank you so much Ben Kwiatkowski, Captain of Team Expedition Canada!