Kayaking in Saimaa, Finland

[Hurme]

I made a return to kayaking after a 10 year break and went to Saimaa with my father and four others. Few random shots along the way here. No need for critique, they're here just for your viewing pleasure.

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2. This was our average weather for most of the trip. You could say we were lucky.

3. The one below was pretty fun experience. We kayaked to this wall of reed and finally pushed through it after I scouted ahead and figured it was possible to pass through. The reed extended some 400 meters and would have been unpassable if the water level hadn't been higher than normal.

4. One of our camping sites seen from a nearby hill.

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9. Me doing an eskimo roll, photo by my father.

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[Derrel]

Looks nice. I especially liked #4, the hilltop view of the campsite area!!! Nice!!!

 

[jfrabat]

I would be VERY afraid to take my camera on a kayak... Especially when doing things like #9!!! but good pictures!

 

[Hurme]

Thank you.

I thought about taking my camera for a while, but in the end taking no risks means no photos so it was easy enough choice. I had 5D MK II with 16-35 and 70-200. Most of the time the camera was sitting on my lap just under the spray cover. I usually only put it in a water tight bag during getting on and off the kayak. The weather was very good so there was no real risk of tipping over, so although freak accidents do happen things were well in hand.

If you want to see more my Facebook album for that trip is open to public.
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The trip itself was 162 km long and we spend a week on it. Some of the best parts were in Koloveden nationalpark where using motorpowered vehicles is not permitted at all. Total silence except for us and the wind.