Mail rowing between Björkö in Finland to Holmön

Tomorrow Saturday, the traditional mail rowing between Björkö and Holmön will be carried out after several canceled rowings due to the pandemic. It is the 31st rowing (the 40th with canceled rowing) and normally the rowing goes from Holmön to Björkö even years and odd years in the other direction. But the weather gods rule and if the forecast is unfavorable for the normal direction, the rowing direction can be changed, which happened this year. Therefore, it will be rowing from Björkö to Holmön.

The start is at 9 local time. The distance is 36 distance minutes and in calm weather and only rowing, the crossing takes from about 8 hours up to significantly more depending on how rowing the boat team is. With tailwinds and sailing it goes a little faster and with headwinds it takes longer.

The purpose of the mail row over Kvarken is to:

  • revive the historic transport route between Björkö and Holmön
  • safeguard the peasant culture
  • promote cooperation in the Kvarken region
  • honor the memory of the Björkö and Holmö residents' obligations to carry travelers and mail across the Kvarken for centuries

The mail rowing boats are traditional boat types for the Kvarken area. These are wooden tugs, which were used in the past in fishing with tugs (nets). They are about 7-8 m with 2-3 year-old pairs and rudders. The crew is normally 6 - 8 men. The boats normally have two sailing sails and can sail in tailwinds, but not cross. Another type of boat, which is a little larger, is the so-called Fäälbåten, It is a boat of about 10 m, which was used in seal hunting. It usually has 3-year-old pairs and a fork rig and can also be sailed in tailwinds. It has a crew of 8 - 10 men. This year, a Viking ship will also participate. It is a replica of an ancient Viking ship, the so-called "Lapuri boat" was found in southern Finland in 1976.

A report from the rowing with pictures comes later after the rowing has been completed.

For those of you who want to know more about rowing, you can read more at Holmöns Postroddsföreningen website.