Freestyle canoeing European Championships spectators ferried by boat

Spectators at the freestyle canoeing European Championships in Lieksa, Finland, are being ferried to a special riverside viewing area by boat, as the event’s unique venue on the Ruunaa rapids lacks road access.

The four-day competition, the first freestyle canoeing championships ever held in Finland, has drawn 101 athletes from 12 countries. Finland’s team includes 13 paddlers, while Germany fields the largest contingent with 18 competitors.

Freestyle canoeing involves performing scored acrobatic moves using the river’s natural currents. The Neitikoski rapids, deep in the wilderness near Finland’s eastern border, serve as the competition site, with its powerful waves providing the stage for the athletes’ routines.

Jyri Hämäläinen, head of the discipline for the Finnish Canoeing and Rowing Federation, said the event offers a chance to showcase Finland’s whitewater resources to the international canoeing community. “This is a major opportunity for us. We hope it will boost the sport’s profile and attract new participants,” he said.

Bartosz Czauderna, coach of Finland’s national team, believes the home advantage could play a role. “Finnish paddlers have trained and competed on Neitikoski for years in varying conditions. They understand how the waves behave here far better than first-time visitors,” he said.

Reigning Finnish champion Visa Rahkola, a semi-professional competitor, said the site remains ideal despite current low water levels. “Neitikoski is a unique place, and it always works for us. Even now, there’s plenty of water for the moves,” Rahkola said.

The championships began Wednesday with heats for women and junior categories. Finals are scheduled for Saturday.