Tavinsulka
Tavinsulka is an expert organization specialised in open aquatic nature experiences across the stunning Finnish Lakeland. Our service palette expands through education, sports, leisure, tourism, research and development.
With over 35 years of experience, since 1989, Tavinsulka provides a wide range of services, including guided paddling tours, self-guided tours and customised excursions on canoes, kayaks, SUP boards and snowshoes for individuals, families, and groups.
Whether you are looking for a peaceful self-guided trip, an educational nature tour, or an adventurous multi-day expedition, Tavinsulka will provide you expert guidance and high-quality gear to ensure a safe and memorable experience in the wilderness.
Programs
Our programs include guided tours from 90 minutes to 3 weeks in duration to destinations all around Finland.
Our tours are inclusive and can be adapted to different skill levels, special needs or physical disabilities. We encourage everyone to get out on the water, even if you have no previous experience of being on the water.
Our staff will guide you in the use of equipment and offer route recommendations before setting off.
Shared pleasure is double pleasure, so sign up to our guided programs and courses!
Our name
Tavinsulka, meaning Teal’s Feather in Finnish, is inspired by the Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca), a small waterbird commonly found in Finland’s many lakes.
The teal is naturally comfortable in aquatic environments, just as we aim to make our customers feel when exploring the water with us. Its feather, when it falls, floats lightly on the surface, moving with the waves—much like our well-designed equipment ensures a smooth and effortless experience.
Our name reflects our connection to Finland’s waters and our mission to provide safe, enjoyable, and nature-friendly adventures.
Tavinsulka’s 4 Pillars
In Tavinsulka we operate according to four core pillars:
Teaching and Education
We understand the importance and value of education, for that reason we educate customers on:
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Kayak, canoe paddling, SUP boarding or windsurf techniques.
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Safety on open water.
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Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia.
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Physical education classes for primary, secondary and third level of education.
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Teachers’ further education.
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Integrated STEAM -teaching methods.
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Elite sport coaching.
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Activities for people and groups with special needs.
Recreation-, Wellbeing-, Sport Services, and Events
We believe in the power of nature and its effects on individual and community wellbeing, for that reason we offer services like
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Guided and unsupervised free-time paddling
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Aquatic classes: nature-based yoga, body control, meditation etc.
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Outdoor programs.
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Sports events.
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Team building events.
Activity- and Nature tourism
We promote healthy activity and nature exploration, for that reason we organise tours and excursions to:
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National Parks.
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Historical sights.
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Cultural Heritage sights.
Research and Development
We constantly strive to develop the best and newest sport technology to deliver top notch aquatic experiences for our customers.
For that reason we actively initiate and participate in field related RDI programs in cooperation with leading industrial stakeholders for:
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Equipment design.
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Material and structural applications.
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Service protocol design.
Values
Quality
Quality permeates all aspects of our operations.
We strive to provide the highest quality guidance, equipment and programs to ensure a customer’s seamless experience.
Quality is not just a status for us, but a process.
Ecological Responsibility
Tavinsulka participates in the GreenCare Finland programme, is a contracted service provider of Parks & Wilderness Finland (Metsähallitus) and actively contributes to the development of related policies in cooperation with public authorities.
We practice a strict No-trace-behind policy and aim to reduce our ecological footprint in our activities. Our equipment, tools and other accessories are selected to be high quality and long lasting.
Social Responsibility
In Tavinsulka, we cooperate with organisations like MALIKE, ValtEri, CP Liitto, Nuorisopsykiatria, Partio and alike to provide inclusive programs.
We aim to make a positive impact on our customers. For that, all our activities are inclusive to all skill levels, educational, enjoyable and safe.
We support and favour local partners and purchase our products directly from producers whenever possible. This allows us to shorten supply chains and ensure the highest benefits for the suppliers.
Sustainability
We are committed to sustainable tourism – and are proud holders of the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate, which reflects directly in all our operations. We think of sustainability in every action Tavinsulka makes. We consider the long-term effects on nature, society and our economy.
Equipment is always state-of-the-art quality, long lasting and maintained at high standard to minimise the contribution to the waste industry and its impact on the environment.
We actively cooperate with industry leading manufacturers, producers and participate in the development of product process and design development.