Finland, a seemingly typical Scandinavian country, reveals its unique character upon closer inspection. Its proximity to Russia and Estonia gives it a distinct Baltic flavor, setting it apart from its Swedish and Norwegian neighbors. A short ferry ride from Helsinki can transport you to Estonia, offering a taste of a different, more raw, and budget-friendly experience, much like crossing the border from the USA to Mexico. But our main purpose for visiting Helsinki was to dive deep into its vibrant skateboarding scene, specifically the Helsinki HELride and Koff Race events.
A skateboarder performs a trick at the Helsinki HELride event, with spectators watching in the background
The HELride is essentially a more grassroots version of the CPH Pro, where organizers create obstacles at various downtown street spots. Skaters battle it out for cash prizes while the crowd cheers them on. The atmosphere is intense, reminiscent of a gladiator arena, with the crowd’s energy fueling the skaters. The Koff Race, on the other hand, is a local favorite featuring a downhill bomb and a rail-over-pond obstacle – yes, the one where a skater’s unfortunate nut shot went viral.
A skateboarder grinds on a rail at the Helsinki HELride event
Beyond skateboarding, saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture. Given the long, dark winters, saunas serve as a means of warmth and a way to release endorphins, helping to combat seasonal depression. If Finland’s flag were to be redesigned, it would likely include stripes, a sauna, and a beer, representing the country’s core essence.
One memorable night, we visited Sompasauna, a 24/7 DIY sauna run by the local community. We arrived tipsy at 1 AM on a Monday to find a group of people, completely naked, enjoying beers, and singing along to piano tunes between sauna sessions. It was an amazing experience—no phones, just pure, primal forest vibes, almost like a new-age swingers gathering.
A skater in action during the Helsinki event
Another quirky aspect of Finnish culture is their love of “Mega Pussi.” In Finnish, “Pussi” means package, and “Mega” means mega. While portions are generally moderate in Finland, finding big bags of chips at the grocery store means you’ve struck gold, the massive bags proudly displaying “Mega Pussi” branding to emphasize their size.
A skateboarder performs a trick at a street spot in Helsinki
Finland is also a paradise for those who admire blonde hair, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes. The country is full of beautiful people in all kinds of roles: from police officers and McDonald’s employees to handymen. It makes you wonder if these people realize that they could be successful models if they wanted to.
A skater performs a trick at the Helsinki HELride event, with the crowd in the background
Despite its relatively small population, Finland boasts some incredibly versatile and internationally recognized skaters. Arto is the godfather, Marius Syvanen has been a leading figure in skating for over two decades, and then there’s Jaakko, Eetu, Eniz Fazliov, and Lizzi Armanto. We had the pleasure of featuring three of these five skaters; if you can guess which ones, we might just give you a small reward.
A skateboarder catches air at the Helsinki event
We feel fortunate to have attended this year because the HELride event is gaining popularity quickly, and it will soon be on par with events like CPH Open. We felt honored to be invited before the crowds and other major media outlets started to descend upon this scene.
A skater performs a trick at the Helsinki HELride event
Having traveled with Marius Syvanen before, I’m always impressed by his ability to make everyone feel welcome. He engages with others, showing a genuine interest in who you are. This is refreshing compared to some other pro skaters who only focus on themselves. It’s important to remember that the world doesn’t revolve solely around the skateboard industry, and some pros will learn that the hard way when their careers are over.
A view of Helsinki at night with the city's architecture in view
You don’t need to be “in the industry” to be part of this experience. All it takes is a plane ticket to be met with high-caliber skateboarding, genuine smiles, and a new circle of friends. It’s like summer camp, you might feel hesitant at first, but by the end of the weekend, you’ll know all the locals, and everyone will know who you made out with.
Skaters hanging out at a street spot in Helsinki
While in the US, you need a beard and tattoos to establish DIY building credibility, in Helsinki, two young guys are shaping the scene with their own concrete ramps, built using “found” materials. Their creations may not be perfect, but they’re a refreshing change to the polished skateparks throughout the capital. Who knew you’d crave to skate some garbage after skating the best parks.
Skaters gathering at a skate spot in Helsinki
Finland has produced some notable musical acts as well. HIM, Bomfunk MCs, and Darude have all achieved international fame. HIM is the band that Bam Margera got a tattoo of above his dick, Bomfunk MCs are known for the iconic song “Freestyler”, and Darude created “Sandstorm”, which is like the original Rickroll. The staircase featured in the “Sandstorm” music video is near the event, making this contest the second most exciting thing to happen in this spot.
A view of a concrete staircase in Helsinki
The ultimate highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the Japanese-style obstacle, the “death trap,” which looked like something from a Japanese game show. The obstacle was incredibly dangerous, with only a few daring skaters even attempting it. It quickly turned into a mix of a slip-n-slide, nut-shot fails, and only a few highly skilled skaters made it to the other side. Pat Duffy was among those who succeeded, even managing a 50-50 grind and a smith grind while soaked. It’s also worth mentioning that he is the same age as some of the attendee’s fathers.
A view of stairs in Helsinki, similar to those in Darude's "Sandstorm" music video
A funny anecdote from our trip: on the flight over, our filmer Greg was upgraded to business class, and he was seated next to two girls who were clearly in party mode. They were ordering beer and shots throughout the flight, and they kept bringing up how spacious the business class bathroom was. Nothing came of it because Greg is happily in a relationship but sometimes, if you have it, more is just given to you.
A skater grinding a rail at the Helsinki event
Overall, Helsinki’s skate scene is a welcoming community filled with great skating and a unique culture. You don’t need connections to have a good time; all you need is a plane ticket and a love for skateboarding. The city, with its unique blend of Baltic, Scandinavian, and raw skate culture, provides an unforgettable experience, leaving you eager to return.
A skater performs a trick at the Helsinki event, with other skaters and obstacles in the background
Photos by: Greg Navarro
Historical inaccuracies: Ian Michna
