Photo. Swamp Soccer (Suopotkupallo) - By Guthiwoody - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
From racing through swamps to hurling mobile phones, Finns have mastered the art of turning everyday activities into competitive (and hilariously bizarre) sporting events. Whether it's carrying your wife like a sack of potatoes or sitting on an ant-infested stump for glory, these games showcase Finland’s unique blend of creativity, humor, and absolute madness. So, lace up your boots (or take them off entirely), and let's dive into the world of Finland’s strangest, most side-splitting sports!
Here are some of the most notable quirky sports in Finland:
1. Swamp Soccer (Suopotkupallo): This is a muddy twist on traditional soccer, played in bogs. The Swamp Soccer World Championships are held annually in Hyrynsalmi, attracting numerous teams and spectators.
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Swamp football on Wikipedia
Finland’s swamp soccer and sauna endurance, BBC 24 June 2011
2. Wife Carrying (Eukonkanto): Originating from a 19th-century legend, this sport involves male competitors racing while carrying a female teammate, often their wife, through an obstacle course. The World Wife Carrying Championship takes place in Sonkajärvi every July.
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3. Air Guitar World Championships: Held annually in Oulu, participants showcase their imaginary guitar skills, performing to their favorite rock tracks. The event promotes world peace through "make-believe music."
VISITFINLAND.COM
4. Mobile Phone Throwing: In this modern sport, contestants compete to see who can throw a mobile phone the farthest. The Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships are organized in Savonlinna.
CHEAPFLIGHTS.CO.UK
5. Heavy Metal Knitting: Combining Finland's love for heavy metal music and knitting, participants knit to the rhythm of live heavy metal bands. The Heavy Metal Knitting World Championships are held in Joensuu.
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6. Mosquito Swatting Championship: Given Finland's abundant mosquito population, this event challenges participants to swat as many mosquitoes as possible within a set time. The championship is held in Pelkosenniemi.
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7. Berry Picking Competition: Capitalizing on Finland's rich berry harvest, teams compete to collect the most berries within a given timeframe. The event is organized in Suomussalmi.
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The World Sauna Championships were a legendary and extreme competition held in Heinola, Finland from 1999 until 2010. The contest attracted participants from around the world who aimed to endure the highest temperatures in a sauna for as long as possible. The event followed strict rules, with the sauna temperature set at 110°C (230°F) and half a liter of water poured onto the stones every 30 seconds.
The competition was abruptly discontinued in 2010 after a tragic incident. During the final round, Vladimir Ladyzhensky, a Russian contestant, lost consciousness and later died from severe burns and heatstroke. The other finalist, Timo Kaukonen from Finland, suffered severe burns and was hospitalized in critical condition.
Following the incident, the event's organizers and the Finnish authorities decided that the risks were too high, leading to the permanent cancellation of the championships. The tragedy highlighted the extreme nature of the competition and raised questions about safety regulations.
While no official replacement event exists, sauna culture remains deeply embedded in Finnish tradition, and some informal endurance competitions are still held locally, but without the extreme temperatures of the past.
These events are typically organized by local communities or dedicated associations and are often held annually during the summer months. They not only provide entertainment but also celebrate Finland's culture, environment, and sense of humor. The Finns have mastered the art of turning everyday absurdities into competitive sports. So, grab your rubber boots and a good sense of humor as we dive into the most bizarre and brilliant sporting events Finland has to offer!
Stein Morten Lund, February 2025
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