Amazing Kymijoki Uinti

Arriving in Pyhtää, the road winds through a landscape defined by the Kymijoki river, a waterway that serves as both a natural artery and a historical divide. As you approach the riverbanks on the morning of July 19, the water appears as a quiet, steady presence, a stark contrast to the turbulent events that unfolded here during the 1918 Battle of Ahvenkoski. Looking across the surface, it is difficult to imagine the trenches that once lined these banks, where German forces and Red Guards fought their final engagements of the conflict. Today, the river provides a 3000-meter current-aided swim that leads participants downstream, passing through a geography shaped by heavy industrial and political history.

The river landscape

As you navigate the downstream flow, you pass the remnants of the border established by the 1743 Treaty of Åbo, which split the original parish into Swedish and Russian territories. The water route offers a perspective on the Munapirtti island geography, with its tight straits and small village clusters like Hinkaböle and Malmi appearing as you drift toward the Gulf of Finland. You will encounter the influence of the 1933 Ahvenkoski power plant, an 11.5-meter drop structure that permanently raised the river level and submerged the original rapids, effectively creating the current rhythm of the waterway. Further along, the course brings you near the Struka manual sea lock, a rare piece of engineering that remains the only hand-operated sea lock in Finland, maintaining a 2-meter drop that helps regulate the passage between the river and the sea.

Race day logistics

Organized by Uimaseura Aquila, this event is designed for experienced swimmers who have logged at least 2km in open water during the 2026 season. The 39 EUR entry fee covers the logistical support required for a point-to-point river swim, including the transport of your personal clothing bag to the finish line. Because of the river conditions and the potential for general boat traffic, a swim buoy is mandatory for visibility, and a wetsuit is strongly recommended to maintain comfort in the Finnish water temperatures. The race follows a no-pressure philosophy, focusing on the experience of the river current rather than competitive timing, with support provided by local kayakers from Pyhtään Melojat who guide the group along the course. As you finish, keep an eye out for the 1460s St. Henry’s stone church in Itäkirkonkylä, a landmark whose restored interior wall paintings reflect the long-standing cultural history of this river basin.