Anyone wishing to take part in the Sulkava Regatta next July in Finland should contact me for registration information. The race is 65km on (sometimes rough) lake waters. 10,000 competitors enter this race over the four days and nights of the regatta. Boat rental for the event can be arranged by the Finnish hosts who are looking for more international entrants.

There are two types of entry. First: 12 rowers (plus a cox) per boat, double-banked pulling non-feathering oars. The seat is technically fixed, but winning teams use special materials for sliding. Second: singles or one rower with a paddler.

-- David Stookey (david@openwater.com), February 16, 2000

Answers

David- Whats this single rower plus a paddler boat the Fins have? I'd like to row a single plus take along my navigator to paddle- but don't count on us winning any races. And how about more details like local housing, boat rental and the like.

-- Dale R. Hamilton (dale.hamilton@med.va.gov), February 17, 2000.

Racing at Sulkava in one of the Finnish single or doubles is a fun possibility for North American rowers. I have provided some information on the boats and the primary contact in Finland at http://www.openwater.com/stories/sidebars_to_forum_postings/row_paddle_photos.htm. If that whets your appetite, I may be able to furnish more information.

By the way, there are those who claim that row/paddling is faster than double rowing. At least it has the advantage that you are much less likely to waste time and energy by steering off course.

-- David Stookey (dstookey@openwater.com), February 17, 2000.

Dale - The event is great fun, but I'd check to be sure you and your crew are up to it. The row/paddle combos usually compete pretty hard and change places every few minutes (usually missing only two strokes). 65 kilometers is a long way to paddle.

As for accomodation, most rowers stay in the various bed-and-breakfast farmhouses around the area or camp out. There are many fields for camping, most near communal saunas and a river to swim in.

Your (and anyone's) best bet for more detailed information is to contact Mr. Bo Gammals, Lansagrdnden 2, SF-02630 Esbo, FINLAND. Phone: [358] 9-592178, e-mail: Bo.Gammals@Megabaud.Fi. Use my name if you like, but Bo has been appointed to help with any English-speaking entrants. He has just finished a term as committee chairman of the rowing-For-All committee of FISA, the international rowing body, and was here rowing in the US last September.

Good luck, David

-- David Stookey (dstookey@ici.net), March 07, 2000.

If anybody reading this is planning to do this event in 2001 please get in touch to swap notes.

Also, if anybody has done it and can give tips on boat availability etc ditto.

There's a group of us planning to catch a plane from London to either Denmark or Finland and then cycle to the event. We row and race traditional skiffs on the river Thames.

I look forward to hearing from you.

-- Richard Gooderick (richardgooderick@hotmail.com), January 05, 2001.