Päijänne on the Rocks – Freediving under the ice of stunning Lake Päijänne

Päijänne on the Rocks 2021

Päijänne on the Rocks 2021 cancelled due the covid-19 restrictions. I hope we will meet again at 2022. The dates are from 17th to 20th of March 2022.

If you have ever dreamed about diving under the ice or you want to find the restful peace under water the best place would be the Päijänne on the Rocks ice diving event in Lake District in Finland.

This traditional winter fun event will be again from 18th to 21nd of March 2021 in Asikkala, Finland. The Lake Päijänne has drinkable water and the tranquillity under the ice will be amazing, as always. Welcome freedivers around the world to see this wonderful under ice world.

The event is for everyone who has a certification in freediving. There is no competition part of the challenge below. It is just to have fun together with fellow divers and enjoy the feelings in the nature’s own cathedral under the white ice cover. All special safety issues regarding diving under the ice will be covered in pre dive briefing. Remember to bring your lanyard.

Due the nature of the event the number of participants is limited. To make sure you will have a place, please, make your registration before 31st of January 2020. First come first served. Note! Due to corona virus restrictions the 2021 event will be cancelled.

Don’t be shy to ask if you have any requests or wishes. We would love to make this happening the best possible for you. For any contact send me an email, please.

Program 2021*:

Thursday 18th of March

08-09 Safety briefing (lanyard check & signing in for the Arctic Static Challenge)
09-10 Transportation to Lake Sonnanen (bus will be organised and the persons taking the bus will share the expenses)
10-16 Diving day in Lake Sonnanen
16-17 Transportation from Sonnanen to Lehmonkärki

Friday 19th of March

10-13 Briefing & Arctic Static Challenge (no neoprene allowed)
13-17 Ski-doo safari, cross country skiing, ice-fishing…
17-18 Safety briefing (lanyard & light check)
18-22 Night dive “Ice of Fire”

Saturdays 20th of March

09-10 Safety briefing (lanyard check)
10-16 Päijänne on the Rocks 2020
17-22 Special dinner with presentations

Sunday 21st of March

Packing, checking out and departure home

*Changes possible

Accommodations

Surroundings in the event will be absolutely wonderful since the location is a fantastic holiday resort Lehmonkärki. The wood heated sauna on the shore has a glass wall to the lake and accommodation will be in luxury villas in double rooms by the lake. All villas have saunas, fireplaces, equipped kitchens and cosy interiors.

Lehmonkärki has also a variation of winter activities offered by them or by co-operative companies such as skidoo driving, ice fishing, skiing and many others. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any requests or wishes.

Basic package will include the accommodation for two nights, from Friday the 19th to Sunday the 21st. The other possibility will be 4 days (from Wednesday the 17th to Sunday the 21st). If you have any other wishes, please, send us an email and express them.

There is no grocery shop nearby the resort. Every shopping possibility is so far you will need a car to get there. Always possible to ask people with cars to help you and also the local taxi is available, ask mobile number if necessary.

Prices per person:

Participation fee weekend (Fri-Sun) 350 €

Participation fee four days (Wed-Sun) 490 €

Participation fee includes accommodation in double/twin room, bed linens and towels in villa, the special dinner at Saturday evening, all the diving and all the saunas during the program. (Transportation not included)

Organiser

Antero Joki

Antero Joki is a highly experienced freediver having represented team Finland in 15 world championships so far. He has done several Finnish national records in all four competitive depth disciplines. Antero has grown near Lake Päijänne and has been training several years in this drinkable lake. Antero is also freediving instructor trainer and the trainer of the German freediving national team. He was AIDA International Technical Officer from 2012 to 2017 and he has also organised several world record dives under the ice.

Special events

DNF without a suit under ice world record

Johanna Nordblad made her Guinness World Record – freediving under ice no fins no suit – in Päijänne on the Rocks 2015.

DYN under ice world record

My friend, Arthur Guerin Boëri, the man who made the first time ever a 300 meter long dive in a pool, did another record dive under the ice of the Lake Sonnanen, Finland. Check the video below.

The record dive event was organised by Antero Joki, the owner of Päijänne on the Rocks. He was taking care of the accommodation and logistics, planning and building the track, looking after all the safety issues, finding the safety divers and briefing them. Thank you all safety divers and special thanks to Ville Laine from Sukelluskeskus EW Dive Oy (https://ewdive.com/) and Lars Skofelt from Latemar Oy (https://www.latemar.fi/).

“One Breath Around the World”

When Guillaume Nery and Julie Gautier-Nery were filming their amazing video “One Breath Around the World” they needed a place to film under ice. Of course that was found in Finland. Antero Joki/ Päijänne on the Rocks organised the location and prepared everything for the film crew to do their job. EW Dive supported with scuba equipment for photographers. Do you like the result?

CWT under ice world record

New Zealander living in Australia, Ant Williams, had a dream of making the deepest freedive under ice in the world. He came to Päijänne on the Rocks for the first time at 2017 for training and two years later he returned. After Päijänne on the Rocks we traveled to Norway to make the record since the Lake Päijänne was not deep enough. The whole expedition to Norway was amazing and crowned by Ant’s fantastic world record. A trip to remember!

How to arrive

How to arrive

Closest airport is Helsinki (HEL). From there it is possible to rent a car and drive about 1,5 hours to the location.

Driving instructions to Lehmonkärki: Drive from airport (Kehä III itään) to Lahti on the highway (E75). Take the exit to Vääksy (exit to road 24, by shopping mall Karisma). At Vääksy take the exit on the right to road 314 towards Sysmä (drive about 8 km) where you see a road turning left to Myllykselä (road Pätiäläntie), continue along this road about 4 km and you’ll see guide signs to the right to Lehmonkärki.

Navigation address: Lehmonkärjentie 180, 17320 Asikkala, Finland

Public Transportation: it is possible to take a bus from the airport to Lahti. Buses leave in front of the terminal 2/ Scandic (see the map below). Bus costs about 10-15€ and takes 1,5 hours to Lahti. Also, trains are possible but you must change a train in Helsinki.

Notice the big building site in the airport!

More info about public transportation, see https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/helsinki-airport/airport

Timetables bus, see https://matkahuolto.fi/en/, (from Helsinki airport terminal 2 to Lahti)

Timetables trains, see https://www.vr.fi/en/timetables , (from Helsinki airport to Lahti)

From Lahti bus/train station (Matkakeskus) to the location, Lehmonkärki Holiday Resort, you should take a taxi. Local taxi Hannu Huovinen, mobile +358 50 5505036, 1-4 persons cost for the ride is about 80€. Preferably booked in advance. Also, possible to use the taxis in front of the bus station in Lahti.

Airport map