Rules of the Blue White Ribbon and Blue White Double Ribbon

The rules are valid since 2009, contact information changed 2014. The rules was updated december, 12 2017 and January, 23 2020.

This self-contained paddling expedition follows the Finnish sea coastline between Sweden and Russia. The direction may be chosen by the paddler(s).

The vessel is to be a kayak,  canoe or sup-board. The crew consists of one or more paddlers.

1. The departure port and arrival to the goal port –  as well as the possible interruption of the expedition – is to be announced to the Finnish Expedition Paddlers’ Association, and, that is to be sent to the person of contact of the association. Please add The Blue White Ribbon as the title of your e-mail or letter.

There are no age limits. There are no fees to be paid.

One end point of the expedition is at the village of Virojoki, the other end is Pukulmi Boat slip in Tornio.

In case one paddles also the Swedish Blå Bandet it is enough to report from the Swedish end point.

Notice of departure should contain the following information

• names of the crew and the crew’s person of contact
• dates of birth (year, month, day) for each crew member
• addresses and emails of the crew
• telephone numbers to home and during the expedition
• point of departure (Tornio or Virojoki)
• vessel type (mark and model)
• safety equipment on board
• planned day of departure. Report real day of departure after start.
• possible webpage of the expedition and information if the association can publish the address

The arrival at the port of goal is to be sent within a week of the arrival to Association’s  ribbon person of contact.

The arrival notice should include:

• the real date of departure and the departure port
• the date of arriving at the arrival port
• the number of days paddled
• the total length of the paddled route in kilometers.

2. the Expedition is to be paddled on the given vessel  as a self-contained sea expedition. The paddler or the crew are transporting their own equipment and food without support by others. It is not allowed to change the crew, nor the use of a rendez-vour car for supplements or reducing equipment. In case the vessel is stolen one can resort to others’  help, as well as  safety equipment, paddles, floatation, PFDs, spraydecks and the compass.  The crew gets restocked independently and also repairs the boat when needed during the expedition.
3. Daily legs paddled are to be marked in a map or sea chart and written in a log book. All days including the days of departure and arrival are counted as expedition days. The expedition is to be fulfilled within a calendar year.
4. The expedition is to be paddled in one direction (Virojoki – Tornio, or, Tornio – Virojoki) as a continuing route. It shall not include any portages. The route on the sea has to be one line from departure point to the goal port. To paddle on canals and in sweet water estuaries like in Canal of Raahe or Larsmorsjön is allowed.
5. The forward propelling is allowed only by the kayak or canoe paddle, no other means like sail, kite or other are allowed.
6. The expedition is not controlled during it; the paddler’s honour is the guarantee of following the rules.
7. Each person who has paddled the whole of the Finnish Sea Coastline from boarder to boarder will receive a Finnish Expedition Paddlers’ Association Blue White Ribbon or Double Ribbon regardless of the days spent on the sea. The same paddler may be given the ribbon multiple  times.
8. If there are any questions about these rules, please ask before your departure.
9. The Finnish Expedition Paddlers’ Association is administering the Blue White Ribbon and Blue White Double Ribbon.It is also responsible for publicing the names of these expeditioning paddlers  and archiving their expedition reports.

The board of the association has the right to change the rules of the Blue White Ribbon and Double Ribbon.

The main idea is that the paddlers of the ribbon rely only on crew’s own abilities, skills, and navigating, and, good seamanship.  The paddler or the crew paddle all  the way without outsiders’ help.

And – as always – each paddler is  responsible for herself  or himself.

Inquiries to the person of contact of the Association.

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One end point of the expedition is at the village of Virojoki in East of Finland, the other end is Pukulmi Boat slip in Tornio (the boat slip is next to the Pukulmi road leading from the mainland to the Pukulmi Island) in Tornio. (In case one paddles also the Swedish Blå Bandet it is enough to report from the Swedish end point).

 The main idea is that the paddlers of the ribbon rely only on crew’s own abilities, skills, and navigating, and, good seamanship.  The paddler or the crew paddle all  the way without outsiders’ help.

And – as always – each paddler is  responsible for herself  or himself.

Inquiries to the person of contact of the Association.