Safety

Carry spare clothes, food and drink, and safety equipment. For example, a paddle float, pump or bailer, first aid equipment, hypothermia blanket.

Plan your route in advance and avoid busy boat channels.

Paddling in company is always safer. If you're paddling alone, be all the more equipped and careful and tell someone where you're going and when you're going back.

Practice self-rescue in advance.

When paddling in unfamiliar places, carry a map and compass or map app on your phone. Be careful that the map will not to be carried away by the wind. Remember your phone's backup power.

Pay attention to weather condition and forecast. When thunderstorms occur or are close to breaking out, do not enter or leave the waters, as lightning is especially dangerous when paddling. Be aware of the waves raised by the wind. The wind conditions dictate, so adapt your route to sheltered locations or don't go out on the water at all.

In summer, wear a hat and sunscreen unless you paddle very early in the morning or late in the evening. Please note that even cloudy days can turn sunny. Burning is a risk factor for health.

Always go canoeing with a friend.

Honestly evaluate your strength and skills.

If you are able to swim, always wear at least a proper life jacket or PFD. If your swimming skills are poor, always wear a CE marked life jacket of at least 50 Newtons. For those who do not know how to swim and children the right choice for the water is a 100 Newton life jacket. Prefer bright colours on your vests so that other traffic can spot you better and you can be found more easily in case of emergency.

Always know where you paddle and download the Suomi 112 app to your phone. If you need to call the emergency number, the app will tell your location. Keep an eye on your surroundings and stay away from the beach where people swim. Learn the navigation rules and good seamanship. Don't get in the way of other people on the water and follow the rules.

Please ensure your own insurance coverage. The club's insurance does not cover any incidents that may occur while you are paddling.

Everyman's Right means everyone's right to be in nature, regardless of who owns the area or is its holder. In order to use nature within the limits allowed by everyone's rights, you do not need the permission of the landowner and you do not have to pay anything for using the rights.

    Everyone is allowed to..

• walk, ski, cycle, or horseback ride freely (except very near homes and other private buildings or through farm fields and nursery plantations which could easily be damaged)
• camp out temporarily a reasonable distance from homes
• pick wild berries, mushrooms and flowers, as long as they are not protected species
• fish with a simple rod and line
• use boats, swim or bathe in inland waters and the sea
• walk, ski, or drive a motor vehicle or fish on frozen lakes, rivers, and the sea
• all the above can be restricted or forbidden in national parks and other nature reserves during certain seasons or year-round to protect sensitive areas and threatened species of plants or animals. Please pay close attention to any restrictions.

    It's NOT allowed to..

• disturb people or damage property
• disturb reindeer, game, breeding birds, their nests or young
• let pets off leash
• cut down or damage trees
• collect moss, lichen, or fallen trees from other people's property
• light open campfires without permission, except in an emergency
• disturb people's privacy by camping too near them or making too much noise
• leave litter
• drive motor vehicles off road without the landowner's permission
• hunt without the relevant permits

• fish with nets, traps, or a reel and lure without the relevant permits

Outdoor guide

Remember to follow outdoor etiquette