What’s It Like to Kayak for Finland’s National Team?
5-minute read
Iia Vuorenpaa is a member of the National Finnish Freestyle Kayak Team, competing on a global scale in 2024. We were happy to be able to ask her a few questions amid her busy training schedule.
Freestyle kayaker Iia Vuorenpaa
AQUA BOUND: How did you first get into freestyle kayaking?
IIA: I feel I have to explain a bit about how I started whitewater kayaking in the first place, to tell how I got into freestyle.
Every year, quite near my childhood hometown, there is held an extreme kayaking competition. My mother and I happened to be there watching the race in the spring of 2016. I was 13 years old at that time and so awestruck.
The moment one of the competitors swam down almost the whole rapid (Class IV) and the announcer advertised beginner's courses, I was sold. I remember how I twitched my mom's sleeve and begged to go to the course. And we did later that same summer.
The moment the spark for the sport was ignited was the last day of the beginner's course when I ran my first bigger rapid. I smiled for a week after that.
Those first summers were spent learning the basics and enjoying the flowing water. Before this, I hadn't been interested in kayaking at all. However, I have a sports background in orienteering which I still enjoy very much.
In the fall of 2017, I got my first freestyle kayak and the following spring I started to learn surfing in a small wave. That's when the spark turned into a flame and I truly fell in love with kayaking.
That same summer I was encouraged to participate in a junior freestyle camp and later in the fall, went to my first freestyle competition. And that was only the beginning.
As a side note, my first freestyle kayak was a red plastic Jackson Rockstar. I thought it was a bit boring so my mom suggested adding black dots to it. It became a ladybug, and the theme stayed!
AQUA BOUND: What do you love about competing in freestyle kayaking?
IIA: The community. The people in this sport are just amazing. In a way, they feel like another family. At the competitions, it's always so great to get to meet everyone after a long time and get to know new people.
While competing I absolutely love the adrenaline when you throw trick after trick. And the atmosphere, how you can feel the excitement. Everyone is ready to cheer others.
Plus you get to travel and see amazing places when competing.
[Watch a video of Iia’s freestyle kayaking on her Instagram page.]
AQUA BOUND: What does a typical training day look like for you?
IIA: On a typical training day I paddle two sessions—one in the morning after breakfast and the other in the evening. In between the sessions, I eat lunch and maybe watch some videos from the session, and then rest for a while. In the evening I do the same thing.
Due to long distances, I usually train for longer periods at once. For example for a weekend or a week. So it really is eat, paddle, sleep, repeat.
Active kayaking season in Finland lasts approximately from April to September. In winter, training is focused on strength training. There are also pool sessions once a week when I get to train in flatwater.
AQUA BOUND: What does it take to become a successful competitor in this sport?
IIA: I was once told that you have to want to win more than be afraid of failing. And that hit me hard. It takes a lot of determination and confidence to be successful. You have to believe in yourself. Trust yourself.
While training, you should focus on being smart and goal-oriented. Although most of the training is physical, you shouldn't forget the mental side of it. After all, mental strength really can settle the winner.
Kayaking can easily become a lifestyle. So how to manage your life outside the sport also plays a big role. By this I mean, for example, the financial side or the place you live. How you are able to balance everything when you give your everything to the sport you love.
AQUA BOUND: Do you do any recreational paddling? What’s your favorite location?
IIA: Training is not always as serious as it may seem, especially when having fun with friends. Sometimes I just enjoy throwing big tricks and flying through the air. I also enjoy just running down the rapids.
My favorite location is definitely Neitikoski in eastern Finland. In the beginning of the season it's more like a wave and when water levels drop it's a hole.
AQUA BOUND: Tell us about your Aerial paddle. Which model do you have and how does it perform for you?
IIA: I have the Aerial Major paddle. It's one piece with a straight shaft, 191 cm and 30° feather angle. It has bigger blades than Aerial Minor, so I think it is better for doing tricks in freestyle, at least for me.
The blades are really stiff and hardly bend at all. The blades also cut water well and don't get stuck while doing tricks. Paddling feels efficient.
I really like it when I know instantly which position the paddle is, because the shaft is a bit oval-shaped. Another thing I really like is its lightness. The paddle weighs about 1,090 grams. Overall the paddle is light, strong and responsive.
You can keep up with Iia on her Instagram page. (All photos courtesy of Iia Vuorenpaa)
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