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Nicolai Ilcus, Nicus Nature Nicolai Ilcus, Nicus Nature

Sea Kayak - Nicus Nature

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It sounds like every nature lover’s dream: earning your living from being close to nature. This is the same conclusion Nicolai Ilcus has come to in describing his own business, Nicus Nature, located in beautiful Vindebyøre on Tåsinge down by the water’s edge at Svendborg Sund:

The dream of the great outdoors

Havkajak - også for kvinder! Havkajak - også for kvinder!
“It’s a dream come true. I make my living by providing people with enjoyable things to see and do, and I still have time to do a lot of sailing myself and teach others. Back in 1999, I wrote down what I wanted to achieve by starting my own business: to get more people out into the great outdoors, away from computer screens and offices, and to give them enjoyable experiences. And that’s exactly what has happened,” he says.

From very small beginnings but with a highly committed individual at the helm, Nicus Nature has now developed into a business with clients throughout Denmark, including a number from Greater Copenhagen. Little by little, Nicus Nature has also started to make a name for itself internationally.


The South Fyn Archipelago is perfect for kayaking

Øhavet - perfekt til havkajak Øhavet - perfekt til havkajak
“More and more people are realising what sea kayaking is all about and they’re starting to appreciate the many benefits and possibilities the sport offers. First of all, it’s not as difficult as many people believe. Actually, even a short course can give most people a sense of achievement. And anyone can do it. We have courses for families, courses for senior citizens, courses for women, beginners and improvers, those who enjoy long trips and those who just want to try it out over a weekend. Lots of people come back for more instruction or buy their own sea kayak,” he continues. Nicolai himself has been sailing for 12 years.

“Why? Well… actually, it’s a bit difficult to describe, but it’s got to be the sensation of peace that comes over me when I’ve packed my kayak, I know I’ve got all my gear with me and I’m ready just to sail away. Free as a bird. In my everyday routine, with the phone constantly ringing and always having decisions to make, it’s just so relaxing. Also, there’s such a lot you can enjoy at the same time: nature, animals, fish, the scenery, and the people you meet along the way,” he says.

The fairway around the South Fyn Archipelago is ideal for sea kayaking, too. There are lots of nooks and crannies, and lots of things to discover around every corner of the little islands, with varied scenery and fauna, and there is usually enough lee to take the kayaks out even in very windy conditions.

“It’s incredibly beautiful and peaceful here, and that’s a terrific experience in its own right. Sea kayaking is not an extreme sport, even though some people think it is… It’s more like a sensation of being at one with nature.

Although the scenery, the boat and the experience itself are paramount, the range of courses is constantly being expanded and adapted to meet new needs.”


All-round experiences

Kurser med helhedsoplevelser Kurser med helhedsoplevelser
One example is the trend among many clients for active outdoor pursuits and learning during the day, followed by good food and creature comforts in the evening and overnight.

“We try to provide an all-round experience. Good equipment, good instructors, good food and a choice of places to spend the night: everything from campsites to Bed & Breakfast or hotel-standard accommodation at Hotel Christiansminde. The emphasis is on high quality, and we’ve found that clients are happy to pay for that.”

One of the new, more luxurious items for summer 2008 is a live-aboard cruise, where the kayaks are taken on board the three-masted schooner ‘Fylla’, one of Svendborg’s lovely, restored wooden ships. The schooner serves as home to the kayakers for a whole week in the South Fyn Archipelago. They spend the day kayaking and each day they are transported to a new destination, where the kayaks are lowered into the water for another day’s kayaking. This is a sailing experience on many different levels which starts in the third week of July 2008.

“Of course I’m proud of Nicus Nature. It has succeeded even though a lot of people didn’t have confidence in it or didn’t believe you could earn your living from kayaking. I’ve proved it’s possible. And I never get tired of it,” he says with a wry smile. 



Kayak Trips

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Family Day
The course takes four hours and is intended for one or two parents with one or more children. Particularly suitable for children aged 7 to 13, but younger children can also be included, although trips will be shorter. Get onto the water with the kids and enjoy something different together.

Adult DKK 425, child DKK 250

Women’s weekend
This two-day course is similar to the beginners’ weekend but is exclusively for women. Taught by experienced female instructors, DKK 1,950

Around the Archipelago
Nicus Nature also offers extended trips, e.g. to the skerries of Sweden or “Around the Archipelago” in 5 days. These trips address issues such as managing a group, risk assessment and problem-solving, and require the ability to negotiate open seas. The trip costs DKK 4,975


Sea Kayak schools


About Nicus Nature

In a few short years, Nicus Nature has grown to become one of Denmark’s biggest providers of scenic exploration very close to the surface of the water – specifically, in a kayak.

Interest is growing steadily and proprietor Nicolai Ilcus has a simple explanation for this: kayaking is something that everyone can enjoy: families, senior citizens, stressed-out office workers and nature enthusiasts lik

www.nicusnature.com