Tsar Nicholas II as well as his daughters loved to boat and kayak. In the summer of 1913, Grand Duchess Olga recorded her father’s kayaking activities in her diary.
From 1913 diary entries of Grand Duchess Olga Romanov:
“Friday. 14 June. Did not go ashore. Papa kayaked, also after tea…”
“Saturday. 15 June. Did not go ashore in the morning. It was initially overcast but later became wonderfully sunny and warm. Papa kayaked. In the afternoon everyone went ashore, but I stayed on the yacht to my great joy…”
“Wednesday. 29 May. Did not do anything in the morning… Sailed in double boats, Papa kayaked. Then [we] smoked and picked lilies-of-the-valley on the little island…”
“Thursday. 20 June. Did not do anything in the morning. There were boating exercises. Papa kayaked…”
“Saturday. 22 June. There were boating exercises even though it was Saturday. Papa kayaked. A tent was set up. In the afternoon [we] went ashore…”
“Wednesday. 26 June. Boating exercises. Papa kayaked, I read…”
“Saturday. 6 July. The sisters went ashore to swim. Papa kayaked. I sat on the deck and in Mama’s cabin, read…”
“Thursday. 11 July… In the morning Papa kayaked, the sisters went swimming, but I stayed with Mama in her cabin….”
From the book JOURNAL OF A RUSSIAN GRAND DUCHESS:Complete Annotated 1913 Diary of Olga Romanov, Eldest Daughter of the Last Tsar
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