We organized a paddling event on an October day in Nuuksio National Park. The event by Höllä and Trans*Creative came from the realization that there are no paddling events available in Finland specifically for queer people.

Höllä is a community that arranges outdoor excursions for queer people and their friends. Its core values include respect for nature and the creation of a safe community built on mutual respect and appreciation. Safety, for Höllä, means more than equipment and plans — it is the calm of knowing that care has been woven into every ripple of the day. It allows us to breathe easier, to let go, to try something new. The words “höllä” and “höllääminen” mean easing, loosening, allowing space and lightness, a gentler way of being.

And so, on an astonishingly beautiful autumn day, we slipped our kayaks into the water. The sun shone warm and low, trees blazed in their fiery autumn dress, and the wind, fierce and playful, carved whitecaps on the lake. A little thrill ran through us, but our guides, Elina and Eelia, steady as the shoreline itself, assured us that we’d manage just fine if we followed their instructions. Their calm presence and steady guidance gave everyone confidence. It is rare to paddle in the company of such skill and care.

Our gear was checked, our life vests snug, and we revisited the rhythm of the basics — for even those who have paddled before sometimes need to be reminded that water teaches best when we begin again. One by one, we glided out onto the lake, a graceful line of fourteen kayaks gleaming in the sunlight. Some of us were seasoned paddlers; others, beginners or long-away returnees to the water. With the wind at our backs, we moved swiftly, almost effortlessly, though precision was still required, for the waves could turn us off course in a heartbeat. We practiced together, each stroke a little steadier than the last, our confidence growing with every ripple.

As the trip went on, the gusts grew stronger. We turned back earlier than planned, for the headwind promised a challenge of its own. At times, the wind pressed so fiercely that the kayaks could barely move forward; even holding position during short breaks became its own small test of balance and patience. Yet with calm focus, steady rhythm, and quiet determination, we found our way. It was almost miraculous how smoothly our group handled the changing water. The guides praised us warmly, calling us an exceptionally skilled and capable team.

We functioned beautifully as a group, finding an easy unity as we moved through the water. It reminded us of Trans*Creative’s first queer nature trip, where the same magic had appeared: when everyone feels safe, when each person has space to simply be, it becomes effortless to relax, to step into nature together, and to share the experience as one.

After canoeing, we gathered to reflect — what was the best moment? what did we learn? what would we carry home from this day? Many shared how beautiful the experience had been, how good it felt to be on the water, to move through nature, and to spend the day in such warm company. Everyone agreed that the atmosphere was safe and welcoming. Many mentioned how secure they had felt within the group, and how grateful they were to the guides, who took care of everything. It felt natural to let go, to enjoy, to challenge ourselves gently and feel held all the while.

Though the paddling conditions were demanding, the challenges were easy to overcome with such skilled and encouraging guidance. Most of us stayed afterward to enjoy the lakeside sauna and grilled food, bathed in the gold of the afternoon sun.

Thank you, Höllä — and all you beautiful paddlers. It was, in every way, a day of good and beautiful things.

Photos: Jonne Sippola