We roared into Tampere like a pack of deranged lunatics, chasing the ghost of Gonzo himself. This is the sauna capital of the world, the beating heart of the happiest skate community on earth, and damn it, the warmest, most welcoming one too. Finally, the cursed ice has melted, and spring and summer have poked their noses out. The day circled in blood-red on my calendar has arrived: Manserama festival! This year is a grand affair—ten years, ten candles. Time has flown faster than a backside air over the channel, and I’m struggling to catch my breath.
Nothing’s changed this year: skating, friends, heavy sessions, hugs, sweat, beer, sauna more hugs — all the sacred ingredients. The Pirkanmaan Kaarikoirat ry crew, mad alchemists that they are, have concocted a memory that will be etched in our minds forever.
The fun began midweek, spreading like a wildfire through town, with a crucial stop at Iso Villunen bowl. But the real madness kicked off Friday evening at Kenneli DIY. The indoor bowl, an inferno of tricks, chaos reigning supreme. Then, a chill jam session on the outdoor bowl. Some local curb wizard laid down a concrete masterpiece on one transition, and the mayhem continued. The Finnish sun, ever the insomniac, refused to set — Finland’s summer light is a surreal, perpetual glow. Thrash bands screamed into the night, the soundtrack to our frenzy.
If your hunger wasn’t sated, the main event was a spectacle—the Vert contest at Muovitehdas skatepark, a stone’s throw from Kenneli. If you had any legs left on Sunday morning, this was the place to be.
The Brits invaded again: Jesse Thomas, George O’Neill, Lilly Stratchan, Jack Wallbridge, and their motley crew, charging in with adrenaline-fueled ferocity.
The Danish contingent, reliable as death and taxes, brought Jonas “Ginger” Bünger, Bjørn Lillesøe, and the legendary Nicky Guerrero. Heavy hitters.
Bob Joosten, looking like a madman in a Van Basten orange jersey, wasn’t kidding around. He dragged along Lars Stout, the Dutch cannonball.
The Finns? Shy? Hell no! From the youngest groms to the seasoned veterans, they were all in. Sampo Martimo and Ossi Perämäki made it clear: Finland’s skateboarding future is blindingly bright. Jussi Korhonen, Mikko Kymäläinen, Luca Karhu, and the ever-impressive Bob Joosten—Finnish warriors through and through.
McTwists were as common as the mosquitoes, with young Heili Sirviö making it look like a warm-up trick. Jesse Thomas’s McTwist? He practically dusted the ceiling with his nose, reaching stratospheric heights.
In the women’s category, Lady Meek from the US was a revelation. Locals Heini Luotola, Heili Sirviö, and Miila Sirviö shredded like no one could hold them back, while Lilly Stratchan stormed her way to second place with some killer runs.
The grand orchestrator, Teemu Grönlund, and his magnificent team of local heroes, crafted a weekend of beautiful chaos. I fought the urge to drop my duffel bag and just stay forever. Manserama, you magnificent beast, you’ve done it again. Big love to you all! See you next year, if we survive.
Words and photos by Nicolas Bouvy (@pool_fight_club)
Lady Meek smith grind at Kenneli DIY
Jesse Thomas judo lien air
Jack Wallbridge frontside air one foot
Tino Riekki, handplant at Kenneli DIY
Luca Karhu transfer at Kenneli DIY
Crazy Road Walls dude Blunt one foot at Kenneli DIY
Heili Sirviö frontside air
Heini Luotola frontside grind
Arina Rahman from Malaysia, frontside grind at Kenneli DIY
Ville Natunen crail slide at Kenneli DIY
Jesse Thomas McTwist
Tino Riekki Egg plant at Kenneli DIY
Kellen Turner andrecht
Mikko Kymäläinen frontside grind revert
HobeKuul band from Estonia
Miila Sirviö backside air
Lady Meek frontside invert
Dallas Rockvam passing the torch
Lilly Stratchan Stalefish at Kenneli DIY
Jonas “Ginger” Bünger, nose blunt
Bjørn Lillesøe frontside air
Bjørn Lillesøe backside disaster
Lars Stout indy air
Heili Sirviö kickflip indy
Luca Karhu slob fast plant
Mikko Kymäläinen japan air under the eye of Keke Leppala
Teemu Grönlund smith grind at Kenneli DIY
Bob Joosten, lien to tail
Lars Stout stalefish over the channel
Bjørn Lillesøe frontside air over the channel
Lars Stout one foot frontside invert
Jack Wallbridge sweeper
Nicky Guerrero finger flip to tail
Bjørn Lillesøe nose grind at Kenneli DIY
Teemu Grönlund enjoying the vibes at Kenneli DIY
Léo Suger frontside rock at Kenneli DIY
Ville Natunen, Jim Jam at Kenneli DIY
Members of Smert band from Latvia
Jussi Korhonen frontside air over the channel
Tommi Matalamäki frontside carve grind
Robin Selin, body varial at Kenneli DIY
Lilly Stratchan monty grind
Jonas “Ginger” Bünger frontside disaster
Nicky Guerrero lien air
Check out the Manserama 2023 report here!