Pirkansoutu, Finland´s largest urban rowing event is held annually around the end of July/beginning of August on Lake Pyhäjärvi. It is mainly intended for wooden boats (long boats, doubles and singles) but there is also a fun competition for ordinary fibreglass or plastic boats and canoes and kayaks are also welcome at the event.
The main full route for long boats is a 35 km loop leaving from the shore at Hatanpää not far from the centre of Tampere and it goes round a large island in the waters of the town of Nokia. There are two departures on the day of the event. The morning departure is a competition for teams in their own boats. The afternoon event ”Toinen aalto” allows smaller groups and individual rowers to come together and form crews for the event
Small wooden boats (one or two person boats) row a distance of 25 km made up of two loops from the shore at Hatanpää round the tiny island of Selkäsaari. This 25 km row is the middle distance event for small wooden boats at the Finnish Championships level.
Fibreglass and plastic ”summer cottage” boats compete in a 12,5 km competition called ”Aironmän”.
The week after the main Pirkansoutu event the non-timed Retkisoutu event rows the same 35 km route as in the main event. Long boats, small boats and canoes can participate in the Retkisoutu
Pirkansoutu is part to the Pirkan kierros, which includes ski-ing, cycling, rowing and running events. The Retkisoutu qualifies as the rowing part of the Pirkan kierrosThe rowing event, Pirkansoutu, is organised by Takon soutajat rowing club.
In 2016 there were 1030 participants in Pirkansoutu.
The next Pirkansoutu is scheduled for Saturday 27th July 2019. The Retkisoutu will take place on Wednesday 31st July.