Tenth anniversary of organised Nordic walking celebrated

The tenth anniversary of the outdoor activity pioneered in Finland and known as "Nordic walking" was celebrated at the Paloheinä recreational area in the north of Helsinki on Sunday.
      Nordic walkers, who have a pole in each hand to walk in a manner similar to cross-country skiing, can be seen every evening at the Paloheinä area. There are organised Nordic walking events at Paloheinä twice a week.
      On Sunday, a group braved the rain to mark ten years of organised Nordic walking at Paloheinä.
     
The Finnish outdoor recreation association Suomen Latu estimates that 720,000 Finns regularly practice Nordic walking. Last year 1.5 million Finns tried it at least once.
      The group has organised collective Nordic walking events Tuesdays and Sundays for ten years. At first there were about 300 people taking part in the events. It has since tapered off to about 50.
      Tuomo Jantunen, Executive Director of Suomen Latu, says that Nordic walking is a good exercise activity that is suitable for people of all ages. He says that it is most rewarding in the company of a friend.
     
Walking with poles has been around for more than ten years. Jantunen says that cross-country skiers first practiced it in the summer months already in the 1930s. The first public event was organised by Suomen Latu in 1988. However, it did not take wind at that time.
      The activity has an estimated seven million adherents worldwide. Enthusiasts claim a number of benefits, including more thorough exercise involving more muscle groups, and more efficient calorie burning than with ordinary walking or running.
      "The best thing about Nordic walking is that it is almost free. All you need is a pair of poles and you can join us on our walks", Jantunen says. Those without poles can even borrow them on the spot.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Nordic walking to the Olympics! (10.3.2007)
  When Finland "Nordic walked" itself onto the world map (23.1.2007)

Links:
  Nordic walking - Wikipedia
  About.com: Nordic walking
  Nordic walking - Exel (pole manufacturer) website
  International Nordic Walking Association