Finland is known for its stunning nature, sauna culture, and love for coffee. But did you know that the country also hosts some of the world’s most bizarre and entertaining competitions? Here are some of the most unique events that attract both locals and tourists from around the globe.
1. Wife Carrying World Championship
The Wife Carrying Championship is one of Finland’s most famous and quirky competitions. The event involves men carrying their wives or partners through an obstacle course filled with water hazards and other challenges. The winning couple receives the wife’s weight in beer as a prize! The competition has historical roots in Finland and has grown into a popular spectacle.
2. Air Guitar World Championships
Held annually in Oulu, the Air Guitar World Championships gather contestants from around the world to compete in playing invisible guitars on stage. This event is not just about pretending to play an instrument – it’s about attitude, showmanship, and pure fun. The competition has even taken on a symbolic message: “If everyone played air guitar, no one would fight wars.”
3. Mosquito Swatting Championships
Finnish summers bring hordes of mosquitoes, so why not turn pest control into a sport? In this unique championship, participants try to swat as many mosquitoes as possible within a set time limit. It may sound simple, but it requires speed and strategy.
4. Boot Throwing Competition
Boot throwing is a sport where participants compete to throw a rubber boot as far as possible. What started as a casual farmyard activity has evolved into a recognized sport with official rules and competitions. Finland even has an official boot-throwing federation!
5. Wife Carrying – A Thrilling Obstacle Race
This competition, held in Sonkajärvi, challenges men to carry their wives through a demanding obstacle course. Different carrying techniques are used, including the popular “Estonian style,” where the wife hangs upside down on the husband’s back with her legs wrapped around his neck. The fastest couple wins!
6. Sauna World Championship (Now Discontinued)
Finland loves saunas, and for years, it hosted the Sauna World Championships in Heinola. Participants would sit in an extremely hot sauna, and the last person remaining inside won. Unfortunately, after a tragic accident in 2010, the event was discontinued, but it remains a legendary part of Finnish history.
7. Swamp Football – Football in a Bog
Playing football on a regular field is challenging enough, but in Finland, they take it up a notch by playing in a muddy swamp. Swamp Football is a chaotic, fun, and physically demanding sport where teams battle to score goals while trudging through thick mud.
8. Mobile Phone Throwing Championships
With people more attached to their mobile phones than ever, Finland has found a creative way to release some frustration – by throwing them as far as possible. Some participants focus on technique, while others rely purely on strength to hurl their phones across the field.
9. Swamp Snorkeling Championships
This competition takes snorkeling to a whole new level – in a Finnish bog! Participants use fins and snorkels to navigate a 50-meter-long track through muddy, murky water. It might not be the most glamorous sport, but it is one of the most entertaining.
Finland is a land of unique and entertaining competitions that showcase the country’s humor, creativity, and love for challenges. Whether you want to test your skills in boot throwing, compete in mosquito swatting, or simply enjoy the spectacle, there is something for everyone. So next time you visit Finland, why not plan your trip around one of these unforgettable events?