Rotary’s traditional “Silakkasoutu” (Rowing for the Baltic Herring) and Herring Hike brought together nearly 250 rowers, hikers, and volunteers on Sunday, 5 October. Despite forecasts of a storm on the morning of the event, the winds calmed down just in time, and no rain fell.
Silakkapatikka hikers at Tervasari. Photo: Essi Isomäki
“For safety reasons, we made a last-minute decision with the Maritime Rescue Service to shorten the rowing route. Instead of the traditional Market Square, the church boats landed at the Katajanokka guest harbor,” said rowing team leader Erkki Ilus from the Herttoniemi Rotary Club.
At Katajanokka, the rowers were welcomed by the Finnish Club’s brass band, bringing a festive atmosphere to the new landing site as well.
The hike took place in crisp autumn weather along a colorful route. At Tervasaari, hikers and boats were able to wave to each other. At the checkpoints, the cross-administrative Finnish marine biodiversity mapping program VELMU challenged participants to identify Baltic Sea species and learn about underwater life. At the Katajanokka pier, the WWF Finland station at the Rotary tent attracted the attention of rowers, demonstrating how oil spill response is conducted on the shoreline and the equipment used.
“I had no idea you could wrap an oiled bird in a pillowcase when transporting it for cleaning!” remarked Essi Isomäki from the Finlandia Hall Rotary Club’s social media team.
Learning about oil spill response at the WWF tent. Photo: Amanda Kauranne
New departure location with high-ranking guests
This year, due to flood protection work at Töölönlahti, the event’s starting point was changed. The opening ceremonies were held at the atmospheric Tokoinranta event venue. A brief memorial moment was held there for the late founder of the Silakkasoutu, rowing counsellor Markku Juhola, a member of the Riihimäki-Hausjärvi Rotary Club. District Governor Jere Jantunen from the Lohja Rotary Club also extended greetings on behalf of the district.
The patron of the event was Minister of the Environment and Climate, Sari Multala, who spoke about efforts to protect the Baltic Sea. Although the situation in the sensitive marine area remains challenging, improvements have been made in recent decades.
Silakkasoutu has grown since 2013 into a significant environmental event within the Rotary community, raising over €90,000 for the protection of the Baltic Sea. This year’s proceeds go to WWF Finland’s oil spill response efforts.
The Minister of Environment Sari Multala was the patron of the event. Photo: Essi Isomäki
“This year, Rotary’s theme is ‘Unite for Good.’ I think this event truly embodies that,” said Tarja Uitti, Chair of the Communications Committee of District 1420, from the Finlandia Hall Rotary Club.
“We saw Rotarians from many clubs in the Helsinki region and from other parts of Finland, Sweden, and even Germany. Exchange students from around the world, residents, and representatives from various organisations also joined. It was a joy to witness the lively conversations during the opening and over the herring lunch,” she continued.
A solid dose of knowledge about the Baltic Sea
The day culminated with a herring lunch and the mini-seminar “Forewarned is Forearmed” aboard Viking Line’s M/S Gabriella. WWF Finland’s Conservation Director, Elina Erkkilä, presented WWF’s extensive conservation work and emphasized the importance of volunteer participation in shoreline oil spill prevention. Commander Mika Uitti from the Finnish Border Guard highlighted the role of authorities and the effectiveness of cooperation in open-sea oil spill response.
“One of Silakkasoutu’s goals has always been to share expert, up-to-date information about the Baltic Sea with as many people as possible. This year’s event succeeded wonderfully in that,” said event host Juha Kuronen from the Helsinki Koillinen Rotary Club.
The most visible raffle prize this year was a plush fish that immediately became part of the action!
Teddyfish! Photo: Amanda Kauranne
Silakkasoutu is organized by eight Rotary clubs: Finlandia Hall (and its satellite clubs), Helsinki Baltic Sea, Helsinki International, Herttoniemi-Hertonäs, Meri-Espoo, Helsinki Koillinen, Riihimäki-Hausjärvi, and Vantaa-Myyrmäki, with support from District 1420.
This year’s supporters included Viking Line, K-Supermarket Hertta, Ventoniemi, Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, City of Helsinki’s Baltic Sea Challenge, the Finnish Club of Helsinki, and the Maritime Rescue Society.
Volunteers also came from Rotaract Helsinki, the Nordic Ocean Watch youth network, and scout groups Helsingin Metsänkävijät and Saharan Sissit.
People at the starting ceremonies. Photo: Paavo Kauranne
Header image: Amanda Kauranne
