Programme

The event, intended for Rotary clubs, communities and companies, was held in Helsinki on the first Sunday of the Baltic Herring Market, 4 October 2026.

Programme

  • 9.00 - 10.30 Registration and morning coffee at the Juhla- ja kokoustila Tokoinranta, address: Eläintarhantie 12 Helsinki

  • 10.20 Opening of the event and instructions for participants.

  • 10.45 Team photoshoots in front of the venue. Walking to Kaisaniemenranta

  • 11.00 At Kaisaniemenranta, rowers board boats and row to the MarinaBay Harbour at Katajannokka. 

  • 11.00 Hiking groups continue through checkpoints to the Katajannokanlaituri at the Market Square and to lunch at m/s Vking Gabriella.

  • 11.45 - 12.00 Landing at the Katajannokka MarinaBay harbour.  Walking to the Rotary tent at the Katajannokanlaituri and to lunch in the m/s Viking Gabriella. 

  • 12.30–14.00 the Silakka lunch

  • 14.00 The Silakka seminar at the m/s Viking Gabriella nightclub

  • 16.00 End

Registration and morning coffee at Tokoinranta

Participants register and gather at the same table for morning coffee led by the boat's co-pilot or hiking group leader. 

Tickets for sale. Prizes are claimed immediately.

Annika Lindqvist with her accordion over morning coffee.

Opening of the event and instructions for participants

The event organizers will tell about the event and give instructions to boats and hikers.

  • Hosted by Juha Kuronen, Helsinki Northeast Rotary Club

  • District Governor Heldur Allese encourages the troops to travel.

Baltic herring rowing

Outdoor photography of the teams. Two photo locations: rowing teams and hiking teams.

Immediately after the photoshoot, the teams move to Kaisaniemenranta under the guidance of a skipper or a hiking group leader.

Guided church boat rowing, from Kaisaniemenranta to the MarinaBay guest harbour in Katajanokka. During the rowing, visual depth measurements are made.

  • The Helsinki Finnish Club's Wind Orchestra will entertain the audience on the terrace of the Marina Bay.

  • The Marina Bay Cafe is open to the public.

After the rowing, a walk through the Rotary tent at Katajanokanlaituri to the Katajanokka terminal and lunch at Viking Gabriella. Boarding passes are handed out at the terminal.

Hiking for Baltic herring

Hiking groups walk to the photo shoot and to the starting point of the boats.

The groups will walk from the Kaisaniemi Bay via Hakaniemi to Pohjoisranta and further to the Rotary tent at the Market Square.

Checkpoint 1 Tervasaari: Finnish Association for Nature Conservation/Uusimaa Section's Baltic Sea Section. Natur och Miljö, Anarchist Marthas.

Checkpoint 2 Katajanokanlaituri: Rotary tent. Rotary District 1420/ Baltic Sea Forum and Water Backpack, My Sea Association and Rotary waffles.

Baltic herring lunch and seminar

During lunch, lottery tickets will also be sold.

After the Baltic herring lunch, the participants will gather for a seminar on the Baltic Sea.

HERRING SEMINAR Long live the Baltic Sea – Honour the wetlands! at m/s Viking Gabriella, nightclub auditorium

How to protect the sea on land – the significance of catchment areas in water protection. Viivi Kaasonen, Conservation Specialist, WWF Finland

Multifunctional wetlands in water protection work. Pasi Valkama, Head of Unit, Sitowise, Water Services Department, Catchment Areas and Water Management Group

Conclusion: Results of rowing depth measurements and rewarding the best. Erkki Ilus, Baltic Herring Rowing Steering Group, Herttoniemi Rotary Club