A Packraft Adventure for Everyone

Join Kairacross Etelä to paddle and trek through the picturesque lake region of Southern Finland, blending nature exploration with a friendly competitive spirit.

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To whom?

Although Kairacross Etelä is a competition, it’s just as suitable for ordinary outdoor enthusiasts and recreational adventurers as it is for seasoned adventure racers.

Some basic navigation skills are required, but in the recreational category you may use a mobile phone to help with navigation.

Participants under 18 can join with a guardian or with the guardian’s written permission.

Teams consist of 2–5 members.

What?

The goal is to complete either a 40-kilometre or 15-kilometre route as fast as possible – or simply get as far as you can within the 8-hour or 4-hour time limits.

The course is marked on a map with checkpoints, some of which are accessible only by water.
The best way to travel is with a lightweight, packable packraft, but at least the shorter route can also be done with a heavier craft, such as a canoe.

Where?

The race will take place within 150 km of Helsinki. The exact location will be announced in October.

The race centre offers overnight accommodation.

When?

Preliminary schedule

Subject to minor changes

Saturday 23.5.2026

09:00–10:00 Registration & map pickup
11:00 Start
16:00 Deadline for 4-hour categories
20:00 Deadline for 8-hour categories

How?

Tracking

Each team will receive a GPS tracker so their progress can be followed online (a link will be published no later than the race start).

During the race, we’ll share live updates on Kairacross’s Instagram – follow us there!

Some updates will also appear on Kairacross’s Facebook page.

Hashtags: #kairacrossetela #kairacross

Rent a Packraft

Kairacross partner Rastipisto rents out packraft packages suited for Kairacross events. Each package includes double packraft, two paddles, hand pump and electric pump, inflation bag, repair kit.

Book your packraft »

Join In!

Entry Fee

The entry fee includes: two map sets per team, race souvenir, post-race refreshments, showers and sauna at the event centre, photos for personal use

Register

8-hour categories

  • 69 € / participant – until 31 Oct 2025

  • 79 € / participant – until 31 Dec 2025

  • 89 € / participant – until 31 Mar 2026

  • 99 € / participant – until 31 Apr 2026

Late registration until 15 May 2026: 109 € / participant

4-hour categories

  • 39 € / participant – until 31 Oct 2025

  • 49 € / participant – until 31 Dec 2025

  • 54 € / participant – until 31 Mar 2026

  • 59 € / participant – until 31 Apr 2026

Late registration until 15 May 2026: 64 € / participant

 

Changes & Cancellations

Teams may switch categories free of charge until 21 May. After that, a €10 change fee applies.

Moving to a shorter course will not result in a refund. Moving to a longer course requires paying the price difference.

A team’s entry may be transferred to another team if the organiser is informed by 21 May.

The entry fee is refunded only if the event is cancelled; in that case, €10 will be deducted from the refund.

In case of illness, participation may be transferred to the following year.

All changes must be reported by email: info@kairacross.fi

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Insurance

Participants take part at their own risk. The organiser carries organiser’s liability insurance but does not provide personal insurance for competitors.

We recommend that all participants have their own sports or accident insurance that covers participation in outdoor racing events.

Organiser

The event is organised by Kairacross Oy.

Race Director: Jouni Junkkaala, tel. +358 40 342 4493