Swimmers embark on 70-kilometer journey in Teno River between Finland and Norway

The current conditions on the Teno River, which forms Finland’s northern border, are ideal for swimming expeditions. Since mid-July, temperatures have soared, and river water has warmed to around twenty degrees Celsius. Last week, Marko Takanen and Mikko Mäklin from Espoo embarked on an extraordinary swimming journey in Northern Lapland, covering over 70 kilometers in the Teno River, reaching into Norway.

“It’s incredibly clear and just right for swimming,” Takanen remarked. The water level was also suitable, with only a few shallow areas requiring them to wade and use their hands to navigate. Takanen views the ban on salmon fishing on the Teno as an opportunity for the sport’s growth, allowing swimmers to enjoy the river without fishing lines in the water.

They swam for a total of four days, beginning their journey from the bridge at Utsjoki, which connects Norway and Finland. Initially, their goal was to reach Nuorgam, approximately 50 kilometers away, but they arrived there in just two and a half days, deciding to continue an additional 23 kilometers to Tana Bridge.

The river’s current significantly aided their swimming speed, allowing them to reach up to five kilometers per hour. Their routine included four hours of swimming per day, broken into hour-long segments with breaks, totaling about 15 to 20 kilometers daily.

Takanen noted that while swimming expeditions have gained popularity in social media, they are still somewhat niche. He also encouraged those interested in river swimming to research potential hazards and to always swim with a partner for safety. The experience left Takanen eager to explore more challenging sections of the river next summer.