Sulkavan Suursoudut is the World's biggest rowing race, held every July in Sulkava, Southern Savonia, Eastern Finland.
The first competition was held in 1968. The boats used in competitions are Finnish traditional style wooden rowing boats, normally now made of plywood. Since 1984 there have been competitions in 40 foot 'church-boats', 14 seat craft plus a cox that were traditionally used in church trips. The race route is approximately 60 kilometers. Current records of the competition are 5.05.50 for men singles, 6.05.53 for women singles; the church boats travel the distance in about 4 hours.
Between 7- and 8,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators take part in Sulkavan Suursoudut every July. 2010 saw the introduction of the World Masters Rowing Event for church-boats, attracting 13 crews from abroad. The competition was held over distances of 2 and 60 kilometers. The fastest foreign crew over the latter distance was the squad Eco from Russia, finishing in 4 hours 48 minutes, 45 minutes behind the winning squad, Joutele from Helsinki, Finland