SUP board rental at Repovesi National Park

At the Lapinsalmi paddling base there is a Hang Outdoors self-service point where you can book SUP boards from dawn to dusk. Make your reservation at least 1 hour before the start of the rental period. Experience Repovesi from the water!

The SUP boards are Mistral's trek boards, which allow you to carry your camping equipment with you.

After making your reservation, you will receive instructions and a lock code 45 minutes before to pick up your equipment. The paddling base is located in the immediate vicinity of the Lapinsalmi parking area. The distance from the base to the pier is 100 m.

The SUP board is easy to carry with several handles, alone or together, and weighs about 10 kg. The board has a carrying capacity of 130 kg. You can attach your rucksack and belongings to the rubber straps on the deck. The board also has two bottom fins, one in the middle and one at the back - these increase directional stability and reduce the impact of crosswinds when crossing waterways.

In the words of a customer, "Yes, the Repovesi is more impressive from the water than from land."

The price of the SUP rental includes

SUP board, kayak and paddle
1 buonancy vest for swimming skilled adult, weight 40 - 130 kg
Waterproof bag for mobile phone
Waterproof bag 10 litres

Safety

Swimming skills are compulsory.
Wearing a buoyancy vest is compulsory.
Renters are always on the water at their own risk and are fully responsible for their own safety.
Do not stand on the board near the beach or rocks, go ashore on your knees or sitting down.
If you are afraid of the water or have particularly weak arm strength and balance problems we do not recommend renting a SUP board without guide. We also offer guided kayaking trips.

General

Classification

Stand up paddling

Location

Kouvola
Riippusillantie 55, 47910 Hillosensalmi

Languages

Finland, English

Difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Swimming skills, good physical condition

Connections and services

Services

Services at the Lapinsalmi entrance

Lapinsalmi is the most popular entrance to Repovesi National Park and offers the best services in the park. At the entrance you will find:

Café and information.
The RepoTassu café-kiosk at the entrance serves coffee, snacks and light meals such as soups during the season.

Equipment rental. Canoes, kayaks and other outdoor equipment can be rented right at the entrance — a canoe shelter along the path from the parking area to the Kapiavesi shore houses rental services from several local operators, including a self-service rental point. There is a canoe pier and launch spot on the shore of Kapiavesi, making Lapinsalmi an ideal starting point for paddling trips.

Trails. The park's most popular route, the Ketunlenkki loop trail, starts at Lapinsalmi, as does the longer Kaakkurinkierros circuit. The famous Lapinsalmi suspension bridge is a short walk from the entrance.

Facilities. Parking area, an accessible toilet, and the Lapinsalmi campfire site with a Lappish hut (kota) and lean-to only 500 metres from the entrance — a family-friendly spot that also has two piers, one suitable for the water bus.

Water connections. A water bus operates on Kapiavesi in the summer season, and there is also a boat ramp at the shore.

For up-to-date information on trail conditions, the suspension bridge and services in the park, please check the official Repovesi National Park page at nationalparks.fi.

Traffic connections

How to get to the Lapinsalmi paddling base, Repovesi National Park

By car (approx. 2.5 hours) from Helsinki
Drive from Helsinki towards Lahti and Kouvola (roads E75 and 12), then continue north from Kouvola following signs to Repovesi National Park. The Lapinsalmi entrance is the main gateway to the park (address: Riippusillantie, Kouvola). There is a parking area at the entrance, a short walk from the paddling base.

By train (approx. 2–2.5 hours) from Helsinki
Take a train from Helsinki Central Station or from Helsinki Vantaa Airport to Kouvola (about 1.5 hours). From Kouvola, continue north on the Mikkeli-bound line to Hillosensalmi station, the closest railway stop to Repovesi National Park, about 7 km from the Lapinsalmi entrance. Note that only some trains stop at Hillosensalmi, so please check the timetables at vr.fi in advance.

By bus from Kouvola
In the summer season, there is a bus connection from Kouvola railway station to the Lapinsalmi entrance. Check the current timetables before your trip. Kouvola.digitransit.fi

Driving instructions

How to get to the Lapinsalmi paddling base, Repovesi National Park, from Helsinki
By car (approx. 2.5 hours)
Drive from Helsinki towards Lahti and Kouvola (roads E75 and 12), then continue north from Kouvola following signs to Repovesi National Park. The Lapinsalmi entrance is the main gateway to the park (address: Riippusillantie, Kouvola). There is a parking area at the entrance, a short walk from the paddling base.