Anyone kitesurfing/snowboarding/kayaking/Mt Biking and more

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:05 pm

Hi
I've now been in Helsinki city for about a week and I'm looking for things to do and people to meet.

I'm from New Zealand and really into my kitesurfing, done some
kite-snowboarding and loved it. Finland and Norway have great opportunities for kite-snowboarding. I would love to meet anyone who might be doing it!!! Though my kites have not arrived, I have my snowboard - just spent a week in Norway, Telemark, exhilarating!

If you are into any of the above sports as well as squash, badminton, soccer (indoor or out), volleyball or floorball (tried it the other day, heaps of fun).

Give me a shout. Maybe I can help your team out or give you a fresh challenge. Or if you know of places within the city that might be of interest please can you let me know where they are.

Look forward to hearing from you
Shaun

**Sponsor:**

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:18 pm

Are you into playing rugby, since you're from NZ had to ask

I know a few people who are regular kite boarders, and would most likely be interested in more company. Do some XC biking, but have not done much this past year.

Anyways welcome to Hel.

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:20 am

Hi jcooper, thanks its nice being here.

I prefer playing "touch" as to full on rugby, if you know of anyone playing I would be keen to join in for a game. As for you knowing some kite boarders I would be grateful if you can hook me up with them so I can find out what the situation is here, if there is any!

We had to start regulating certain beaches in NZ. The sport has become so popular in the last two years that crowding has slowly become a problem. We decided it would be in our best interest to take control of the situation before the councils try banning it. Not sure if thats an issue here but thought it best to find out!

I am always keen to do some biking so when you feel like getting back on the horse let me know. Though my gear only arrives some time in March.
- do people do any riding here in winter?
- and is there any dedicated Mt bike tracks?

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:16 pm

Hammer wrote:Hi

I'm from New Zealand and really into my kitesurfing, done some
kite-snowboarding and loved it. Finland and Norway have great opportunities for kite-snowboarding. I would love to meet anyone who might be doing it!!!

There is a snow kiteing festival in Lahti next weekend, I'll see if I can find you the link.

Dave

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:29 pm

Here you are.

http://www.kallviksurf.net/kite-jaos/in ... f91ae0ec04

Should be good if there is any wind, But then if there is no wind,Messila is only a couple of KM's away so you can go snowboarding instead.

jcooper · Post by **jcooper** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:26 pm

I've got a Swiss colleague who is kite boarding mad, I'll have a word with him. From what I've heard from him theres no problem with regulation, the sport is quite small and there are typically fair few other water users to contend with. Will post again tomorrow regards that.

I did some biking last winter myself, but certainly the only time I took on some trails, dealing with upto .5 metre deep snow holes. Was a major pain in the butt and since I've stuck to biking only in the summer. There are dedicated tracks, but typically theres not dedicated single track, I just go for it and hope not to have to do much portaging.

Sure thing on the touch rugby, I play touch myself but I'm not a fan.

OliBlom · Post by **OliBlom** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:17 pm

Hey Shaun! And Welcome to Helsinki.

Maybe not this Saturday, but week on Saturday I could be heading up to Himos for a day's snowboarding - check out the website http://www.himos.fi - there is a bus service from Helsinki, though I might sort a car for the day, so get in touch if you are interested.

Touch would good - I played a bit when I was in NZ - should look at starting - have you been in touch with Helsinki Rugby Club? http://www.helsinkirugby.org

Cheers for now,

Oliver

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:34 pm

Hi Dave thanks for that info about the festival. I checked out the link but its all in Finnish not that thats a bad thing but unfortunately right now my Finnish is not quite there that I can not understand all of it.

If you can offer me an English translation that would be great, I have posted a listing asking for English details about the event. Hopefully I can get a reply before the weekend. Either way I will just show up there before 10am and hopefully meet up with the guys.

Thanks for the help

Hammer · Post by **Hammer** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:45 pm

Hi Oliver,
yes I would be very keen to meet up and and head out to Himos. If you can get a car greaty or getting on the bus would be just as good. Means we don't have to worry about having a drink or two on the way back!

Setting up a game of touch sounds like a good idea. Do you have a ball?
I will follow up on the rugby link and see what the club has to say.

Let me know how you get on with setting up a plan to head to Himos, car or bus I am in!

OliBlom · Post by **OliBlom** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:51 pm

Ok cool. Bus is €40 Return, incl the lift pass - leaves at 7am and returns by 8pm. Car is a bit better as the place gets quieter mid afternoon as the buses begin to leave and the whole place is floodlit anyway. But either way I will be in touch if a plan comes together.

No rugby ball, but sure HRC will sort something out.

Cheers.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:01 am

Would that be a day trip to Himos? Why not make it a long weekend a Tahko?

Horse

OliBlom · Post by **OliBlom** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:22 am

Horse wrote:Would that be a day trip to Himos? Why not make it a long weekend a Tahko?

Horse

Yes a day trip. Don't have the time for a long weekend.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 11:55 am

All that way for one day's skiing. Who wants to come to Tahko for a long weekend?

Horse

Horse · Post by **Horse** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:50 pm

What the heck, mind if I tag along to Himos weekend after next?

OliBlom · Post by **OliBlom** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:36 pm

It's only 220Km?........not sure if I will drive as yet, otherwise its the Himos Bus (see above).
Check with me next week - you can only book Himos Bus from the Wednesday onwards, so will make decision before then.

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