Winter kicksledding fun

In this weeks edition:

Really wild swimming

WILD FOCUS : ‘Kicking’ around the winter forest

Correction: Last week’s Fifth Season Flood Competition article requested that readers predict the peak of the upcoming autumn flood in Soomaa. This of course should have been the spring flood. The author apologises for any confusion and blames the fact that he is from the southern hemisphere and still occasionally gets the seasons mixed up

REALLY WILD SWIMMING

Yes, Estonia may be thoroughly covered in snow and ice, but don’t you think that’s a great time to go swimming? Like cold water swimmers around the world, many people in Estonia enjoy dipping, plunging, swimming and even racing in icy waters, particularly if there’s a hot sauna waiting for them afterwards. The best known winter swimming event in Estonia is the Pirita Open which happens in early January. A video from the 2010 event can be seen here.

Of course, official swimming events aren’t the only way Estonians enjoy themselves in cold water. With the small country being home to over 1000 lakes and probably even more saunas, we are sure that plenty of Estonians know the pleasures of jumping into a watery hole in the ice. Some young and slightly crazy Estonian guys show off their love of ice swimming in this funny video below.

WILD FOCUS: ‘Kicking’ around the winter forest

Skates, skis and snowshoes are popular ways to get out into the wild in northern countries like Estonia, but another classic mode of transport is the kicksled (also known as a ‘spark’ or ‘kickspark’). Traditionally this is a small sled with handlebars that is propelled by foot and which may sometimes have a basket for the shopping or a small seat at the front.

In recent years, old style sleds have evolved across the nordic countries to become lighter and easier to use. Ice or hard packed snow is the best place to use a kicksled and modern designs can be very fast and sleek. The sport even has its own World Championship competition with average speeds reported to be around 30 km/h (19 mph).

There are a number of ways you can explore wintry Estonia by kicksled. Wild Estonia Weekly recommends the following:

Reimann Retked, one of Estonia’s best outdoor adventure companies, are offering short kicksled day trips (4-6hrs) amongst the hills and forest trails of North Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve which is around 50km east of Tallinn. Guided trips include kicksled hire, lunch and warm drinks. For more information, please contact Reimann Retked.

Sagadi Manor (Estonian: Sagadi Mõis) is offering the rental of kicksleds for its guests and visitors for only 5€ per hour. Sagadi Manor is situated in Lahemaa National Park on the northern coast of Estonia and is only around 90km from central Tallinn. The manor and the nearby environmental education centre are managed by RMK, the State Forest Management Centre. Lahemaa National Park is the oldest and largest National Park in Estonia and Sagadi Manor is the starting point for a variety of nature trails that let you explore through the park. For more information, please contact Sagadi Manor.

Does sledding along the famous Pärnu beach sound interesting? Or, perhaps through some of Pärnu’s large city parks? Soomaa.com will be offering the chance to try kicksleds at the Pärnu Ice Festival from 18 – 27 February. Special one-day snowshoeing adventures in the nearby Soomaa National Park will also be available during the festival. The price for readers of Wild Estonia Weekly is 50€ per person and includes a guided tour, snack, hot drink and transport. For more information please contact local tour providers Soomaa.com.