Now the beauty of what we do here is getting to share our experiences, and I’ve been won over to Suomi with funky Finns my latest hobby horse.
Maybe it’s living in a land of a thousand lakes or being surrounded by 75% forests with all the sport that that offers.
Or that it’s the home of the sauna and Santa, and his reindeer live here too.
But mostly it’s because they are up for the craic (whatever that is in Finnish).
And have some of the weirdest competitions going.
Strumthing else
I’d been steered to Suomi by my old columnist Mal Rodgers who flagged up the extravaganza that is the World Air Guitar Championships.
If only I’d known about that when I was channeling my inner Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend as a teen heavy rock fan.
They’ve been strumming the air since 1966.
And champion and hall of famer Nanami ‘Seven Seas’ Nagura and the competition will return to Oulu next year from August 21-23.
While, of course, if you’ve done your dates and have been keeping up with Suomi, or Finland.
Then you’ll know Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in its 60th year in 2026.
Everyone needs a hobby
But I found the Hobby Horse Championships all on my own.
Which is run over ten classes.
And I can’t help thinking Arthur and his knights in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
But there is also showjumping and the gamut of equestrian events.
Finnish fun doesn’t stop there, of course.
Suomi swamp football
And what else would our friends try as an alternative soccer than swamp (or Suomi) football in Hyrynsalmi, in its 25th year.
Pastimes come in many guises.
And who knew that you could make a sport out of mobile throwing (well, maybe Naomi Campbell).
Wife is life
Or wife carrying, the world championship for which take place in Sonkajarvi every June.
The wife can be carried piggyback, fireman’s carry.
Or Estonian-style (the wife hangs upside-down with her legs around the husband’s shoulders, holding onto his waist).
And what’s best about this wacky contest is the prize.
All of which is determined by the weight of the man’s female teammate and is paid in beer.
So saddle up… funky Finns my latest hobby can be yours too.