Suopungin throwers pitch reindeer lassoing as a new tourist sport

More than 100 competitors from Finland, Sweden and Norway took part in the first suopungin throwing championships in Levi, with organisers hoping the traditional reindeer lassoing skill will attract tourists, Yle reports.

Inari resident Elen Anne Sara has practised suopungin throwing since childhood because her family keeps reindeer. She won the women’s category at the Levi championships.

In suopungin throwing, competitors spin a loop made from a traditional reindeer herding rope and throw it around moving poles. The rope is used to catch reindeer, particularly during round-ups.

Janne Honkanen, the event organiser and a tourism entrepreneur, said the sport could become as popular as darts or disc golf. He said the event aimed to bring Finnish and Sámi people together and introduce traditional reindeer culture to a wider audience.

Honkanen also believes suopungin throwing could appeal to international tourists interested in learning about the culture.

“Among reindeer herders and Sámi people, suopungin throwing is already a hit, but it will surely spread further south in Finland,” he said. “It is a good social activity that can be done all year round.”

Johan Daniel Eira from Kautokeino had just competed when he said in Sámi that his performance had not gone well. He said the large audience had made him nervous, as he had previously thrown the rope without spectators watching from behind him.

“Winning is not important, but taking part is. Maybe next time I will win,” Eira said with a laugh.

According to Eira, success requires more than skill. A measure of luck is also needed, while the weather and wind can affect the result.

Czech tourist Jan Habart first held a suopunki the day before the competition. He became interested in Sámi culture after studying at a university of applied sciences in Hämeenlinna and joining a school trip to northern Finland.

“That was when I caught Lapland fever,” Habart said.

He wants to become a skilled suopungin thrower and believes the sport should become an Olympic event.