Sea Kayaking Finland

How To Prepare For Instruction?

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We provide:

The client will be provided with a kayak, paddle, sprayskirt and PFD (personal flotation device, 'life jacket') for the class.
Alternatively the client may choose to participate in the instruction with their own kayak.  However, all kayaks are not equal in how the support leaning paddling skills.  If we have doubts about client's own craft, we will encourage them to use our kit.
If the weather is cold, the client will also be provided with paddling mitts (pogies)
For storing personal valuables, clients can pack them into a drybag, which will be stored in the kayak's hatch.

Client brings:

If the client wears glasses, they should be equipped with a safety line to prevent them from falling off.  Sunglasses are advisable on bright summer days on the water – with a safety line.
Clothing should be layered outdoors clothing according to weather.  Polypropene/wool insulation layer and a water-resistant outdoors jacket+pants on top of it in spring and fall.  Peak summer we may paddle in short sleeves, but a jacket and pants should be brought along, in case anyone gets cold.
On advanced classes (2-star and up), we recommend wet- or drysuits, depending on water temperature.
Hat (e.g. baseball cap-type) against the sun
Sunscreen (according to weather)
No hard soled shoes – tennis shoes, sports sandals, etc. are OK, or just wool socks. Many clients will bring their own neoprene paddling booties.
For 2-and 3-star classes the client may want to take along swimming goggles and a noseclip.  Being comfortable under water facilitates learning many skills.
All clothing must be such that it may get wet during the class/tour.
Spare clothing and shoes (if paddling clothes get wet)
A water bottle and snacks/packed lunch, depending on the length of the class

Limitations of client size, age and health:

Our kayaks, sprayskirts and PFD's are good for a large size range of clients.  We have both standard size and so-called High Volume models of our kayaks.  According to our experience a roughly 100 kg/190 cm tall person with normal body build will fit in our larger boats: a Romany RM/Explorer HV.  If you are larger than this, we welcome you to try out our kayaks ahead of the class, so we will see if we need any special arrangements (we can get larger kayaks for rent at extra cost).

All class participants should have basic swimming skills.  Additionally they need to be comfortable diving for a short duration (i.e. putting their head under water).

There is no age limit, but practically a person, who is less than 140 cm tall will find maneuvering a 5 m long sea kayak very challenging.    We do have one tandem in our fleet, and a smaller person or a kid can paddle the front cockpit of the tandem with a capable larger person in the rear cockpit actually propelling and maneuvering the craft.

Fitness wise paddling suits almost everybody.  If you have health problems affecting your balance or causing sudden loss of consciousness, or fobias regarding water or sitting in a semi-enclosed cockpit in a craft, you may not be able to participate.  

For 2- and 3-star classes, it is specially important for us to know if you have had any spinal injuries or shoulder problems.  Learning successfully skills like a high brace or eskimo roll will require mobility of the spine and healthy shoulder joints.

According to Finnish law everybody paddles at their own risk, knowing the limitations of their health.  If you have health problems, that you thing might get aggravated by paddling, you need to  inform your coach before the class.

Sea Kayaking Finland carries a standard 3rd party liability insurance, but does not insure its clients against accidents.  If the paddling tour is part of a corporate program, in Finland it is customary, that an employer would carry accident insurance for its employees participating in activities on company time. If this does not apply to you, and you need insurance coverage additional to the Finnish government's health insurance, please consider taking a personal accident insurance yourself.

All clients are required to sign a liability waiver before attending a tour or a class to demonstrate, that understand the potential risks associated with paddling.


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