The Suomi Meloo
2001 Brief

Update June 1st 2001

Left: Johannes Vogel and Tim Feist at Ribbingo 99 "Training Camp"
Background picture: Gill Martin in ice, spring 97

"Suomi Meloo" - whatsit?

The annual "Suomi Meloo" paddle is organized by "Suomen Latu", semiofficial Finnish Governement sponsored organisation for outdoor activities in Finland.
In June 2001 Suomi Meloo will be run 17th time, with Illustrious Kangaroo Team on the water 8th consecutive year.
"Suomi Meloo" is a relay - the kayaks move around clock ( light Nordic summer nights ), change paddlers every 15 - 30 Km.
Total distance covered during the week is 615 km, most run on sheltered lakes.
It's not a race, average speed between change points is 5 Km/h, deduct a few rest brakes and you get an average paddle speed of about 6 Km/h.
The turnout is massive with around 120 teams participating.
More facts from Suomi Meloo ry, Fabianinkatu 7, 00130 Helsinki, Finland / Phone 358 9 170101 / Fax 358 9 663 376.

When?

Caravan of cars, trailer, members leave Ribbingö Friday June 8th in the morning.
Suomi Meloo ends in Imatra Saturday June 16th.
Transport to Helsinki available, we arrive there June 16th before 19:00.

The Route

Kangaroo & SKK Team Members April 26th 2001 Kangaroo: AFS Exchange Students in Finland & friends from abroad SKK: Members of the Sipoon Kanoottiklubi & guests KANGAROO Team Members Charlie Pedlar / GB Lucy Pedlar / GB Josie Flynn / GB Kari Klemola / FINLAND Sara Nicte-Ha Soto Agurcia / AFS / HONDURAS Stephanie White / AFS / USA Kylie Sizer / AFS / AUSTRALIA Stacey Micallef / AFS / AUSTRALIA Terrana Gartland / AFS / USA Johan Braspennincks / AFS / BELGIUM Mariana Vilar / BRAZIL Ailie Spiji / MALAYSIA Tobias Flügge / GERMANY SKK Members & guests Hannu Holopainen Johan Sundman Marja Tuovinen Pontus Sundman Tom Sundman Tove Sundman Ulla Haikonen Lisbet ( Pippi) Söderholm

Responsibilities within the Kangaroo Team

Tom has final say. When shot by revolting team Second in Command takes over.
A Dispatcher, puzzles together wishes of who likes to paddle when.
The sustenance will be mastered by the Premier Chef.
Health problems care of the Veterinarian, dispenses Castor Oil for cough, etc. etc.
Other responsibilities headed by appointed participants.

Routines
• The shuttle - VW Polo or other "station wagon" - leaves camp with next stretch paddlers in time.
  
• At changeover point help arrivals out of the kayaks. Have a yarn about their trip.
• Launch next stretch paddler(s).
• Drive back to camp, arrivals hit the sack, next stretch paddlers watch time and get ready.
• Da Capo.

Paddling
• Most of the time changing paddlers goes smoothly.
  Sometimes 100+ car trying to get close to the water at the end of a nondescript road becomes a hassle.
• At start time about everyone is in their kayaks, the guide kayak honks and we are off.
• Sheep ( kayaks ) counted at gate formed by convoy rubberdingies, then on our way.
• Rule says don't get ahead of guide kayak.
• Average speed from start to end of stretch is a modest 5 km/hr.
  Says actual paddling speed about 6 km/h, brakes deducted
• Along the way one or more breaks when we raft up, sometimes one go ashore break

Kayaks
We have at least 2 K2 2-seaters + 5 K1 single seaters.
Pick your choice for your next stretch.

Wheels
• 3 Station wagons with trailer hook and roofrack
• Hired van, probably Mercedes Sprint 8 m3, with boxes for gear.
• Kayak trailer with rack for 15 kayaks.

Gear provided by Foundation
Kayaks, paddles, PFD's, neoprene boots, pogies, anoraks & trousers.
2 moval boxes/member for personal gear.

Take along personal gear

• Enough changes of clothes, washing gear.
• Air matress or other padding.
• Sleeping bag or blanket.

Camps
Fixed camp sites that move as the paddle progresses.
Cabins or other housing on Camp Sites.
Locations decided when lodging found and contracted.
Adequate supply of mosquitoes, courtesy of local authorities.

Grub
• At least one main meal each day.
• Coffee/tea/sandwiches whenever someone volunteers.

Sign on alternatives:
• Come to Ribbingö before Fri June 8th for a few days of paddling
• Be at Ribbingö Fri June 8th morning before 09:00 and board the caravan
• Be at Kerava Fri June 8th at 11:00. Either at Stacey Micallefs Finnish home at Kerava, Loitsutie 12 or at the Kerava Railway Station. Our caravan of cars stops at both.
• Show up at first Camp Site Fri June 8th in the evening. Call Clas 040 703 0864 for how-to.

Sign off
Sat June 18th after arrival to Imatra, about 16:00
Transport to Helsinki available. The team disband about 20:00 in Helsinki.

Costs

Kangaroo team participation is free, sponsored by the Fund of the Illuminati
Crummy transport, inadequate lodging and poor food provided free of charge.

References

The Illustrious Kangaroo Team is a bit unusual.
OK to check us out:

• Call Finland AFS co-ordinator Hilkka Molloy phone (09)666 644, from abroad 358 9 666 644,
  
• Contact previous years participants.
  Look up the name on the "Members" page, call Clas Hagelstam for their address / phone.
  ( For reasons of privacy we avoid addresses on the Internet. )
  
• Click "Wakes", click Suomi Meloo 2000 (when Clas eventually has uploaded it )

The Office
Clas Hagelstam, Ribbingö, 01100 Östersundom,
phone 09 8777738, e-mail clas_kayaker@hotmail.com
From civilisation phone +358 9 8777738,
fax +358 9 8777758, mobile phone +358 40 307 0864

Disclaimer

The american "go to court" disease is spreading - OK to sue someone if anything unpleasant happens.
In the Kangaroo Team and, to my knowledge, in Suomi Meloo there has been no bad accidents.
Just to put things straight:
Everyone joins the Illustrious Kangaroo Team at own risk
and will not take legal actions against Suomen Latu or the Illustrious Team for anything directly or indirectly connected to our kayaking.

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