II SUOMENLAHDEN SOUTU

was held on June 9-11, 2006 with the route of Porkkala - Naissaare - Kakumäe beach.

In the evening of June 9th we took the boats to Porkkala beach.

The first test rides were taken. The escort ship can be seen in the back.

We rowed away from Porkkala coast islands with a reasonable pace where everybody tried to find their own rhythm, fitted clothes and changed places. The speed was increased when reaching to the open sea; water was smooth and a competitive instinct kicked in for the most of the teams. In case of the smooth water the speed was 3.5 knots. Although we agreed to remain within a range of a couple of miles, but that’s that.

After arranging the balance and equipment we rowed ahead to a skerry island three miles away and set up the tents. After sitting by the fire for a while it was bedtime

Wakening in the morning of June 10 at 5 a.m. Around 7 a.m. we were in Porkkala port and we went through the border guard procedures. We agreed on the route and time with the escort ship Silkku and let the paddles bend.

Four crews participated in II SUOMENLAHDEN SOUTU 2006. Kiili paat 440 with 2 rowers; two boats Kaisla 525 ERA. One of these had two rowers, the other two rowers and a wheelman. A separate achieveme

The rowers of Kiili paat 440 Hannu Backman and Jukka Hietanen have also taken part in major rowing competitions. Hannu has a Sulkava Soutu medal to show.

The rowers’ line was dragging. Hannu and Jukka killed some time at the sea by sleeping (on the picture) and waited for the others to catch up.

The fairway had a relatively slow traffic, but at the same time there were more and more white wave-tops starting to arrive from the West until the wind blowing 10 m/s had most of the sea surface in its power. Crossed bow waves of the ships and wind waves made the ride harder. The i was dotted by getting cover at the northern point of Naissaare. The waves were bended around the northern corner of the island and became disturbing. As always after the difficulties the smooth water appeared.

The forest of Naissaare covered the wind and Hannu and Jukka went ashore with Kiili paat 440 to Naissaare port an hour and a half before the others.

A couple of hundred meters north of the port is a pleasant camping area with a place for a fire and clean sand. The weather was very warm and dry in Naissaare. After setting up the tents and eating it was time for bed within an hour. 10.5 hours of straight rowing had done its job. The wind turned to North and became strong over night. At the sunrise we had the feeling that our journey ends here, but by the morning the wind calmed down to 4-5 m/s and even more in the cover of the island.

On 11.06. at 10 a.m. we pushed the boats into water. We gave the unnecessary packs, tents and sleeping bags to the security launch and then it was time for me as well to grab the oars. 2.5 hours on the rear rowing seat of Kiili paat 440 caused the only blisters within the whole group in my hands.

 Finally at Kakumäe beach.