FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
&
Answers
How do we get to the start point of the tour?
The customer arrives with their own vehicle or public transport.
Traveling by public transport:
The center of Porvoo can be reached by train or bus.
Train: https://www.vr.fi/
Bus: https://www.matkahuolto.fi/
The distance from the center of Porvoo to Tirmo is approx. 35 km, you can get there by taxi or by ordering a ride from us.
If necessary, we offer a ride from the train station, Porvoo to the kayaking spot for a price
80€/ groups of 1-4 people,
160€/groups of 5-10 people
(Only for trips to Porvoo)
The starting points of the trips vary, so we will send you the address of the meeting place in a confirmation email and text message.
What are meeting times?
We will meet latest by 9.30AM in the Meeting point for safety briefing , instructions and lifejacket fitting.
The take off is 10AM from the shore.
Is previous experience necessary for this tour?
No. You don’t need any previous experience for this tour. Your guide will teach you how to paddle and give you all relevant advices regarding the tour.
We will take into account participant´s skill and fitness level while planning the route.
What fitness level is required for kayaking tour?
Some basic fitness level is enough for participation on the kayaking tour.
We modify the trips according to participants´ fitness level and wishes about pace. feel free to express your wishes to us.
Do I need to be a swimmer to participate kayaking tour?
No. We provide you with life vests, that keeps you floating and the guides will assist you on the way.
In case you have poor swimming skills or a panic fear of water you should notice the guides or decide not to book the tour.
What are the temperatures of the sea?
Do you offer safety and skill guidance before kayaking?
Yes. Our guides will provide you safety brifing and teach you the basics of kayaking before the trip and continue to instruct you along the way if needed. You are in good hands with us.
Am I going to get wet during the tour?
Possibly. When paddling, water easily splashes from the paddles, so it is best to wear a swimming suit or wetsuit depending on the weather.
However, our kayaks have opening covers that prevent water from entering the kayak for the most part, so your feet and lap stay relatively dry.
You should choose your shoes for the trip in such a way that you take into account that your shoes will get wet when you get out of the kayak into the shallow coastal water.
Make sure you have enough warm and dry clothes with you for island stops and kayaking. Please also take into account that the Finnish summer weather may surprise you with showers, even if the weather reports promise rain. We recommend bringing at least 2 extra changes of clothes.
You can store your clothes and other items in a waterproof storage space inside the kayak (for example, in a plastic bag, or in a waterproof bag intended for that purpose).
Are the kayaks stable on the water?
The kayaks we use are very stable in the water and easy to handle.
We have not had any falls with kayaks during the trips.
However, we can't guarantee that you won't fall over while kayaking.
When paddling, falls rarely happen if you follow the rules of paddling. Falling in itself is not dangerous and you can prepare for it by learning how to behave and act if a fall occurs.
Remember to carefully listen to the safety instructions from your guides at the beginning of your trip.
What equipment is provided on the tour?
You are provided with single sea kayaks, paddles, life vests, cockpit cover for the kayak (to prevent water from getting inside of the kayak)
and water sealed cases for your belongings.
Note: Excursions do not include food or drink.
What should I bring with me?
- Water bottle
(so that you have enough water for the whole day for your own needs. Recommendation 2 liters/person)
- Meals/snacks for the entire trip
(possibility of cooking on a campfire, you can also bring your own camping stove suitable for nature, e.g. trangia). We make some of the trips to the beach cafe according to the wishes of the group. Tell us your wishes when booking.
- Sunscreen:
sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (UV protected/polaroid)
- Clothing according to the weather:
Swimwear and towel, water repellent/windproof jacket, layering in cooler weather. (Bring at least two extra changes of clothes and a towel in case of getting wet.)
- Toilet paper or wet wipes and hand sanitizer can be useful on the excursion islands we visit.
- Insect repellent may be needed on excursion islands.
- You can bring your own life jacket if you have one. Otherwise, we will provide you with life vests.
Are meals and drinks included?
No. Meals or drinks are not included in our tour packages. We recommend participants to enjoy a hearty and nutritious breakfast before the trip and to bring meals for the trip and snacks after the activity.
On some of our trips we stop at a beach cafe, you can make a request for this when booking the trip.
Is alcohol or narcotics allowed before or during the tour?
No. The use of any kind of alcoholic beverages or drugs is strictly prohibited before or during the kayaking trip!
Participants who are already under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not participate in the excursion.
https://www.viisaastivesilla.fi/etusivu/pelastu_ja_pelasta/alkoholi
We also ask you to take into account that the use of intoxicants at sea not only puts the user himself in danger, but also other people in the group and makes the excursion experience of other participants in the excursion unpleasant.
We hope that you will respect the other people on the trip, as well as our guides.
Medical conditions and usage of medication during the tour
If you have a medical condition that we should be aware of, you must notify our guides.
You can contact our guides privately before the trip and let them know.
If you need your medication (such as asthma inhalers) or pills during the trip, you can keep them with you during the trip.
In more serious health problems, we have to consider how we act on a case-by-case basis. If you feel that your health may affect your ability to participate in a kayaking trip, feel free to contact us before booking the trip, and we will see together if we can tailor a package that suits you.
In this case, we recommend participating in our smaller groups (less than 5 people) so that we can offer help more easily on an individual basis if necessary.
Are there restrooms or showers in the locations?
There are toilets at the starting points.
Excursion island destinations also have outdoor toilets, or when we stop at a cafe, you can enjoy the luxury of indoor toilets.
We stop on our tours at islands with dry toilets. Bring toilet paper/wet wipes and hand sanitizer just in case.
Unfortunately, we cannot provide shower facilities.
Can I book a private tour?
Yes. If you don't want to go on a kayaking trip with other participants, you can book a private trip on request.
The price varies according to the number of participants and additional wishes, so contact us by filling out the form here.
What happens in case of rain?
Small surprising rain showers can be expected in Finnish summer, even if the weather reports promise rain, we organize kayaking trips regularly regardless. You should take the rain reservation into account in your clothing.
In the event of heavy rain, wind or a thunderstorm, we cancel the excursion for safety reasons and the excursion is moved to the next available date.
If we have to cancel the trip completely, you will receive a refund for the trip you paid for.
Our guides actively monitor local marine weather reports and notify before the start of the trip if the kayaking trip has to be canceled due to the weather. We take safety seriously and do not defy the forces of nature.
How do I pay for the trip?
Payment is made when confirming the tour reservation on our website.
When you book a customized excursion kayaking package from us, we will send you the payment information by email.
The reservation is confirmed when the payment has arrived and you receive a receipt in your email.
How safe is kayaking? What if an accident happens during the trip?
We take the safety of our customers and guides seriously.
Our guides have undergone sea kayaking safety training and the necessary first aid training. We plan the trips with safety and comfort in mind, according to the customers' physical condition and skill level, in order to avoid unnecessary risks.
For safety's sake, we keep a weather reservation and do not go out to sea in too windy or stormy weather. We are equipped with a first aid kit and marine emergency equipment, which are in our guides' kayaks during the excursion. Together with the guides, we have gone through risk assessments and safety measures.
Please note that you carefully listen to the safety instructions and do not cause unnecessary risks to yourself or other participants by your own actions.
Despite all precautions, unexpected accidents can happen, as kayaking at sea involves risks, so we strongly recommend taking out personal accident insurance.
Suomen Retkimelonta | Adventure Kayaking Fi is not responsible for compensating expenses incurred in accidents.
