Event Info - Downhillswim

Unique swimming event in Oulankajoki, Kuusamo

Registration instructions

A pair registers at once, meaning one person from the pair registers both participants.

Required information: swim distance, team name, swimmers’ names, phone numbers, emails, nationality, and the contact person’s name and phone number.

Schedule 2026

Fri 31.7.2026

14.00–21.00 Event office open

17.00 24km info in Finnish

18.00 Info in English (12 & 24 km)

19.00 12km info in Finnish

The event office is located within the Scandic Rukahovi premises.

Sat 1.8.2026

6.00–7.00 Event office open

6.45-7.00 Transportation to the start of 24km

9.15-9.30 Transportation to the start of 12km

Transfers depart from the Ruka Kumpare bus stop, which is located approximately 100–150 meters from Scandic Rukahovi.

8.00 and 8.20 24km start

10.45 and 11.00 12km start

10.30 Supporter transportation

12.00- First swimmers at the finish line

12.00–17.30 Food and saunas in the finish area

From 14.30 Transportation to Ruka

16.15 Finish line closes

21.00 Award ceremony and after party in Ruka

12 km or 24 km of swimming

An open water swimming event where one advances 24 (15mi) in Oulankajoki, Finland.
Participants sign up and advance in pairs. The 24 km version includes short transitions on
foot.

Long distance: 24 km (15 mi)
Short distance 12 km (7,5 mi)

Number of participants 2026

In 2026, there were 500 swimming spots available

Registration fee

TBC

Bus transportation from Rovaniemi Airport to Ruka and back

Downhill Swim organizes bus transportation from Rovaniemi Airport to Ruka and back. Transportation is organized on Friday 31 July at 13.35 a.m. for the flight arriving from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and on Sunday 2 August at 2:15 p.m. for the flight departing from Rovaniemi.

The bus will wait passengers outside of terminal, at Charter bus area.

Return transport leaves on Sunday 2nd August at 9:30 a.m. from Ruka (Kumpare Bus Stop) towards Rovaniemi.
The transport arrives in the village of Ruka and departs from there.

Supporter transportation - SOLD OUT

The transportation departs from the Kumpare bus stop in Ruka Village and returns from the finish area back to the same location. The bus leaves at 10:30 AM, with an estimated arrival at the finish area around 11:15 AM. The first swimmers are expected to finish between 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM. Return buses will depart from the finish area one at a time as they fill up.

The price 80 euros includes round-trip transportation and a meal at the finish area.

SOLD OUT

Traffic Arrangements in the Event Area

On the event day, access to the event area by private vehicles is prohibited. Access to the area is controlled.

This restriction is in place to ensure that event shuttle buses, organiser service vehicles, and any emergency and official vehicles can operate safely and without obstruction. The roads within the event area are narrow gravel roads and do not have sufficient space to accommodate private vehicle traffic alongside event operations. There is also no parking available within the event area.

There are no traffic restrictions in the Ruka village area.