Salli Paddler – new innovation invites people to try water sports

The Finnish company Salli Systems, best known for its handmade Salli Saddle Chairs, developed a new kind of canoe with unprecedented comfort, safety and training benefits.

Finnish rowing legend, three-time Olympic gold medalist, Pertti Karppinen, got acquainted with Salli Paddler before its official launching, together with Jeremy Hakala and Miika Dietrich from the Finnish national rowing team, and sports instructors from Vierumäki and Pajulahti sports institutes. The whole group recommends the new canoe personally.

Salli Paddler was launched in Blue Peter restaurant in Helsinki, Finland, on 30 November 2018. Several experts were present.

Salli Paddler received a warm reception, from e.g., skipper/explorer Kari "Ruffe" Nurmi, who tested it in the stormy weather. Also Petri Rissanen from Vau Ry (Finnish Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities), was present and especially interested in the safety Salli Paddler offers to special groups.

Even though Salli Paddler is rather susceptible to crosswind, it is very stable (leaning and steering), which eliminates the fear of overturning and lowers the threshold to try canoeing. It can also be steered by a rudder. Paddler can accommodate up to three persons, and lots of gear.

In Salli Paddler one sits on a saddle seat that instantly makes the posture good and allows muscles to work properly. Paddling is effective and comprehensive exercise from toes to fingers. The wide hip and knee angles of about 135 degrees are favorable for health.

Text continues after the picture. Veli-Jussi Jalkanen, the inventor of Salli Paddler.

There will also be extra equipment for fishermen. The paddle guarantees good ergonomics for wrists and fingers. A small electric outboard motor can be attached to the tailboard. Due to its stability, Salli Paddler is also well suited for using a canoe sail.

The main target group will be fitness enthusiasts who want to train hands, shoulders, and core and back muscles. Salli Paddler is also ideal for those who suffer from low back pain. Pleasant canoeing diminishes stress efficiently.

Salli Paddler weighs 58 kilos, and it takes two persons to carry it.

Salli Systems exports saddle chairs to about 60 countries and has started with Salli Paddler with an equally ambitious attitude. It will be presented throughout Europe during winter 2019.

In the future Finland will be famous also for the ergonomic canoes.