Rovaniemi Is a Paddler’s Paradise

Paddling is suitable for almost everyone. You do need to have basic swimming skills, but otherwise, a normal level of fitness is enough to get started. You don’t even need to buy your own gear right away — members of the local paddling club can use the club’s equipment as part of their membership.

Rovaniemen Melojat (Rovaniemi Paddlers Association) offers training for beginners. A great way to start is by taking the Basic Paddling Course, which focuses on safe and respectful behavior on the water.

Paddling is a safe activity, but beginners should always keep a few important things in mind. While kayaks are generally stable, there’s always a risk of ending up in the water. In the North, waters stay cold for a long time, so if you fall in, it’s important to get back to shore or into your kayak quickly.

A paddling buddy is an essential safety factor — along with calm judgment, basic paddling skills, a proper flotation vest, and suitable clothing. Other key safety elements include a kayak that matches your skill level, the ability to read weather conditions, equipment for emptying the kayak, a phone in a waterproof bag, and a change of clothes.

This summer, Rovaniemi’s route and destination service Etiäinen will also feature paddling routes. The first route is already available, and more will be added throughout the summer.

You can choose from easy nature and cultural routes, but more challenging whitewater sections will also be included in the selection.

• Ounasjoki River Delta: Arktikum Channel, Hiansaari Backwater, and the Narrow Routes around Lietesaari and Selkäsaari. Here you'll find numerous narrow, even secret routes that shift and change shape as the summer progresses.
  

• Ylikylä Beach Backwater
  
  
• Kemijoki River: Marja and Souhari Ponds, and the Downtown–Valajaskoski Route with the Majestic Pahtaja Cliffs
  
  
• Vikaköngäs and Vaattunkiköngäs rapids in the Raudanjoki River, as well as the Molkoköngäs and Marraskoski rapids in the Ounasjoki River, offer diverse training spots for whitewater paddlers (rapid classification 2–3). Suitable practice areas for beginners include, for example, Korpikoski above Vikaköngäs and the Vikajoki River during the spring flood.