Programme

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

Programme

  • 9 - 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. 

  • Hiking groups continue through checkpoints to the Katajannokanlaituri at the Market Square.

  • 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 auditorium. 

  • 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.

Opening of the event and instructions for participants

The event organizers will tell about the event and give instructions to boats and hikers. We will also hear greetings of Rotary District 1420.

Baltic herring rowing

The rowing groups will walk to the photo shoot and to the starting point of the boats.

Church boats will be rowed from the Kaisaniemi Bay via Hakaniemi to the MarinaBay harbour at Katajanokka going around Tervasaari. 

From the MarinaBay the groups will walk to lunch and a seminar to the Viking Line Gabriella at Katajannokka.

Hiking for Baltic herring

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

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

The groups will stop at two checkpoints on the way, where Baltic Sea issues will be presented.

From the Market Square, the groups will walk to lunch and a seminar at m/s Viking Line Gabriella.

Baltic herring lunch and seminar

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