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Athletes have been making full use of the unique conditions offered by the venue. Thanks to Finland’s famous midsummer period and its almost continuous daylight, training opportunities have extended far beyond the official schedule, with paddlers frequently taking to the water late into the night. According to competitors, the feature provides the possibility to perform virtually every trick in the sport, promising an exciting blend of wave and hole moves throughout the championship. Stable water levels have also ensured consistent conditions for all teams, allowing athletes to focus entirely on fine-tuning their performances rather than adapting to changing circumstances.

On Tuesday evening, the event was officially welcomed to Lieksa with an opening ceremony in the city centre. Athletes marched through the streets accompanied by local residents and dignitaries, with speeches delivered by Lieksa Mayor Pirre Seppänen, Finnish Canoeing and Rowing Federation Secretary General Juho Allonen and Paddle Europe Vice President Andrej Jelenc. The ceremony also featured a taste of the city’s upcoming brass music festival, adding a local cultural touch to the occasion.

Competition will begin with the 2026 Euro Freestyle Cadets, a development initiative designed to provide young athletes under the age of 15 with international competition experience. Although not an official championship category, the cadets will perform under the supervision of the event’s official judging panel. The opening day will then continue with the K1 Women and K1 Junior Men categories.

For Paddle Europe Freestyle Chair Terry Best, the championship already represents a success even before the first medals are awarded.

“With just one day to go before competition begins, excitement is building here in Lieksa. Yesterday’s Team Leaders Meeting ran smoothly, with final schedules confirmed and heat lists now published. Today, athletes continue their preparations and, with 24 hours of daylight and a river that never stops flowing, there is no shortage of opportunities to get on the water.”

Best highlighted the outstanding work of the local organisers and the unique atmosphere created by the Finnish hosts.

“Lieksa may be remote, but it is truly a spectacular setting for a European Championship. The natural beauty of this region provides an unforgettable backdrop, while our Finnish hosts have been exceptional. Their warmth, professionalism and willingness to help have been evident at every stage of the event.”

He also underlined the significance of bringing a major international freestyle event to Finland.

“The Finnish freestyle community has been quietly and steadily growing for many years, and its introduction to the international spotlight is long overdue. I sincerely hope this championship will serve as a catalyst for more major freestyle events in Finland and a stronger presence on the international circuit in the years ahead.”

With the official opening ceremony completed and final technical preparations concluded, everything is now in place for what promises to be an outstanding edition of the Paddle Europe Freestyle Championships.