Behind the Work: Sails Up and to the Waves
For Raumaster Paper’s Mechanical Installation Foreman Sami Kuniala, sailing was love at first sight. To him, a boat is a summer home moving freely based on feeling, where any sense of rush disappears and the whole family can create memories together.
“All else but sailing is dispensable, that’s all humanity”. This sentiment, roughly translated from Finnish lyrics by legendary singer-songwriter Juha Vainio in Lasse Mårtenson’s famous song, rings true for Sami Kuniala.
"From my very first sailing experience, I was struck by the silence and peace it brings. Sailing is such a natural form of travel. You can feel the sea's power through the wind, and it’s at its most real. At sea, we are truly immersed in nature and the present. It’s a break from the everyday, a chance to recharge", Kuniala says.
Kuniala bought his own sailing boat around 15 years ago, and ever since, his summers have been spent on the water. Sailing is a family affair, as he sails together with his wife and their two young children, aged three and one.
"Both our kids were born in May, so they were just six weeks old on their first sailing trips. On the boat, we reach unique places and have adventures that give the kids great experiences and memories."
Freedom to Follow the Feeling
Kuniala describes sailing as a year-round lifestyle. His boat’s home port in the summer is in Uusikaupunki, on Finland’s southern coast, and in the winter, it is docked in Eurajoki in Kuniala’s home garden, patiently waiting to be at sea again. During summer weekends and summer holidays, the family lives on the boat.
"We often head out to the Archipelago Sea, which has deep waters and great shores. Many sailors say that it is not even worth heading north, as the routes there are quite monotonous, especially for slower-moving vessels", says Kuniala.
This past summer, the family embarked on a month-long journey from Uusikaupunki to Helsinki, stopping in Kustavi, Naantali, Hanko, and several smaller islands at the along the way. In Helsinki, the family visited Korkeasaari Zoo.
"A month of sailing includes long and short legs, and sometimes we just stay put – at sea we travel freely, guided by feeling, with no rush whatsoever."
Sailing Through Life’s Phases
Before becoming a parent, Kuniala often sailed to Sweden together with his wife, exploring the archipelago between Norrtälje and Nyneshamn. He has also participated in Gotland Runt Offshore Race, the Helsinki Suursaari Race as crew, and raced his own boat in the Rauman Matala Race for several years.
"I’ve not had any major success, and I stepped aside from racing after having kids. Competitive sailing is a whole different world compared to recreational sailing. Both have their charm, but peaceful cruising suits this stage of life better", says Kuniala.
