Welcome to the 1st ÄRJÄ ARCTIC SWIM CHALLENGE Open Water Swimming Event on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, from 13:00 to 16:00 at the beautiful Äirjä Island in Lake Oulujärvi, located in Kajaani.
This open water swimming experience is approximately 10 km long and is designed for experienced swimmers. The route will circle the sandy beaches and high sand cliffs of Äirjä Island, located near the widest inland waters of Finland, the Ärjänselkä.
We want the open water swimming event to be a memorable experience in the stunning landscapes of Äirjä Island, and we will make stops (4) at various beaches around the island. Participants will have the option to board a safety boat at any point during the swim or take a ride for part of the distance. All open water swimmers will receive a commemorative award from Äirjä Island. The start and finish areas are located at Vierasniemi on Äirjä Island, which was once a vacation spot for the management and guests of the Kajaani Paper Factory.
The first ÄRJÄ ARCTIC LAKE SWIM CHALLENGE open water swim event will accept the first 20 participants to register, with registration starting on April 1st, 2025. There will also be backup spots available for cancellations.
Categories and Preliminary Schedule:
Group start from Vierasniemi, Äirjä Island on August 3rd, 2025, at 13:00.
At the first break, we will divide swimmers into two groups: one for those who wish to swim at a faster pace and one for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.
Equipment:
Swimsuit/shorts
Orange ÄRJÄ ARCTIC LAKE SWIM swim cap, which you will receive at registration at Vierasniemi.
Wetsuits are mandatory.
The use of a safety buoy is compulsory.
Registration and Participation Fee: From April 1st to July 31st, 2025, €99. A maximum of 20 participants will be accepted in 2025.
In addition to the mandatory details in the online store’s checkout, please provide your birth year, the category you are entering, and your emergency contact details (name and phone number) in the message field.
After paying the participation fee, you will receive a code to book a boat ride of your choice from our online store. You can also purchase boat rides for your support crew.
The participation fee includes:
Boat transportation (round trip) from Ruunaniemi (Ruunaniementie 60, Kajaani) to Äirjä Vierasniemi and back, a boat journey of about 4 km.
ÄRJÄ ARCTIC LAKE SWIM swim cap.
Participation in the swimming event.
A light snack at the finish line.
Kupilka ÄRJÄ souvenir award.
Changing rooms and equipment storage at the Vierasniemi facilities.
Sauna access at the Vierasniemi sauna.
Safety boats and kayaks.
Medical assistance if needed.
Start: The start area is located on the sandy beach at Vierasniemi, between the start flags, and the event will start as a mass start.
Swimming Route: Route A: Vierasniemi – Mansikkatörmä – Karkeapää – Lentohiekka – Säippä – Vierasniemi.
Alternate Route B: Vierasniemi – Säippä – Lentohiekka – Karkeapää – Mansikkatörmä – Vierasniemi (Route B will be used depending on wind direction).
The route, approximately 10 km, primarily consists of shallow sandy bottom areas, so if you run out of energy, you can get out and rest or board a safety boat.
Finish: The finish area is located between the finish flags at Vierasniemi, the same location as the start.
Support: The Vierasniemi cabin and dining hall will serve as changing rooms, where you can leave your equipment during the event.
After the swim, there is an opportunity to sauna at the Vierasniemi sauna, which was once used by President Kekkonen as a guest of the Kajaani Paper Factory.
Communication and Photography: The names and hometowns/countries of participants will be published in the event’s start and results lists. Photos and videos will be taken during the event, and they may be used in the marketing of future events. Participants have the right to use these images in their own social media posts.
Insurance: The organizer does not provide insurance for participants, so everyone is advised to have valid accident insurance that covers any potential injuries during the event. Participation is at your own risk.
We reserve the right to make changes to the event and transportation schedules in case of weather conditions.
Cancellation Policy: Registration is binding and cannot be canceled after submission. However, it is possible to transfer your registration to another person free of charge or use it for next year’s event. Any transfers must be notified to the event organizer in advance via email at info@luonnollisesti.fi.
Do not throw trash in nature. Let’s keep Äirjä Island clean! Trash bins are available near the summer kiosk, and larger waste bins can be found at Ruunaniemi’s boat departure/return point.
Accommodation: Camping at Säippä on Äirjä Island is free. For cabin reservations, visit www.luontoon.fi.
For cabin/igloo accommodation, visit:
www.luonnollisesti.fi
www.arcticlakeexperience.com
www.kokkopellonlomatalot.fi
Camping is prohibited at Ruunaniemi parking area due to space constraints.
The nearest caravan site to Ruunaniemi is at Kohtauspaikka SFC, located 23 km from Kajaani at Luomatie 123, www.sfc-kohtauspaikka.com, and BestPark Kontiomäki, 40 km from Ruunaniemi, www.bestpark.com.
Hotel accommodation can be arranged at Kajaani hotels:
Peera Hotel Kajanus, Koskikatu 3, www.hotelkajanus.fi
Original Sokos Hotel Valjus, Kauppakatu 20, www.sokoshotels.fi/hotels/kajaani/original-sokos-hotel-valjus
We will also organize for the first time in summer 2025:
Saturday, August 9th, 2025 – ÄRJÄ ARCTIC SWIM: Open water swimming event "at a low threshold" for beginner open water swimmers. Swimming distance approximately 2 km, €79, with the first 100 registrants in 2025.
Sunday, August 17th, 2025 – ÄRJÄ ARCTIC TRAIL RUN: Trail running event around the beautiful Äirjä Island. Running distance approximately 10 km, €69, with the first 100 registrants in 2025.
Guided Hikes:
Sunday, June 15th, July 13th, and August 10th, 2025 – ÄRJÄ ARCTIC HIKE/WEST – Karkeapää loop, approx. 5 km, €59 including boat transport.
Sunday, June 29th, July 27th, and August 24th, 2025 – ÄRJÄ ARCTIC HIKE/EAST – Vierasniemi loop, approx. 5 km, €59 including boat transport.
By separate arrangement, suitable for company wellness days – ÄRJÄ ARCTIC HIKE/SHORT – Lentohiekan loop, approx. 2 km, €49 including boat transport.
Welcome to enjoy the Äirjä Arctic outdoor experiences at the beautiful Äirjä Island, located by the largest inland water body in Finland, Äirjänselkä!
About Äirjä Island:
Äirjä Island was once a summer retreat for workers of the Kajaani Paper Factory until the factory closed in 2008. In winter 2016, Greenpeace activists interrupted logging activities on Äirjä Island, and in June 2017, Äirjä Island was transferred from UPM to the Finnish government with funding from the Ministry of the Environment. The island is now managed by Metsähallitus Natural Services. The island is known for its high sand cliffs and expansive beaches and is part of a unique glacial formation stretching from Lieksa to Hailuoto.
You can reach Äirjä Island via fast boat transportation from Ruunaniemi, which is about 4 km from the island and 20 km from Kajaani city center. We can also arrange transportation from Kajaani for an additional fee, if arriving by public transport. In July, the historic steamship Kouta also operates day cruises from the Kalkkisilta bridge near the Kajaani castle ruins.
For more information on open water swimming routes and opportunities on Äirjä Island, check out Päivi Pälvimäki’s book "Uintiretkellä Avovesissä – Äirjän Ihanaa," available for purchase at the Äirjä summer kiosk.
The kiosk is open daily from 11:00 to 16:00 from June 1st to August 24th, 2025, offering coffee, refreshments, ice cream, and equipment rentals for kayaking and cycling.
Organizers of the ÄRJÄ ARCTIC SWIM event:
Luonnollisesti Oulujärvi Oy
www.luonnollisesti.fi
info@luonnollisesti.fi
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