Beneath the Ice with Freediving Fisherman & Friends: The Power of Sauna and Recovery
Freediving beneath ice, rising back into crisp Nordic air, and stepping into a warm, wood-burning sauna is the perfect way to recover for the team at Freediving Fisherman & Friends. Together with Harvia, they are bringing this unique blend of freediving expertise and sauna tradition to events across Finland. Founded by four passionate freediving instructors, Freediving Fisherman & Friends has grown into a respected hub for ice-diving events, courses, and community gatherings. At its core is a simple truth: the cycle of challenge and recovery helps athletes perform better and feel calmer. Read on to find out more.
A Shared Love of Hot-Cold Therapy
Freediving Fisherman & Friends officially launched in 2021, but its roots trace back to 2018, when founders Olaavi Paananen, Tommi Pasanen and Arto Tuomainen met on a freediving course. Soon after, diving became a shared rhythm - week after week, dive after dive. When bigger ice-diving events came into the picture, Miro Suonperä joined, rounding the company to four co-owners, each a certified freediving instructor.
Their experiences run deep, but their approach remains grounded: professional, safety-driven, and focused on opening the underwater world to anyone willing to experience it.
What Makes Freediving Different?
Freediving is often framed as an extreme sport defined by records and incredible feats. Yet the team emphasizes the opposite.
Many people don’t realize that freediving is incredibly relaxing and can bring very deep relaxation
Most divers pursue freediving for its profound calm. Submerging into still water, slowing the breath, activating the parasympathetic nervous system - these are the elements that make freediving a sanctuary from stress. The silence, the focus, and the sense of entering “another world” draw many to the sport and keep them returning, season after season.
From World Records to Community Events
In March 2025, the expertise of Freediving Fisherman & Friends played a crucial role in a world-record under-ice dive in Siikajärvi, Central Finland. The Freediving Fisherman & Friends team managed the entire safety framework, ensuring a controlled environment where the athlete could focus fully on the dive. The effort paid off - Finland reclaimed the record for the longest distance swum under ice.
Beyond major milestones, the team hosts a range of events throughout the year: Winter ice-diving experiences from small private sessions to groups of around 30. Open-water freediving courses in summer. Pool training courses during the colder months.
Each event is crafted with precision, care, and respect for both participants and nature.
The Role of Heat: Why Sauna Matters
In icy environments, the body faces intense cold exposure and recovery becomes essential. This is where sauna steps in. For divers new to cold water, warmth isn’t just comfort; it’s safety and performance.
With portable tent saunas and efficient heaters, participants can warm up quickly between dives. This hot-cold cycle boosts circulation, enhances muscle recovery, and helps divers stay focused and energized throughout the day.
Why Harvia - and Why the Harvia M3 wood-burning heater
The team chose Harvia because of shared values: excellence, reliability, and deep Finnish roots. Located near Harvia’s headquarters, founder Tommi had seen firsthand the brand’s quality over the years. When earlier tent sauna heaters proved too weak for ice conditions, they turned to Harvia’s M3 wood-burning heater. Compact yet powerful, the M3 delivered strong, steady heat even on frozen lakes - keeping divers comfortable and ready for their next descent.
Values Anchored in Nature
Freediving Fisherman & Friends operates on three core values:
Strong professional expertise
Uncompromising safety
Respect for people and nature
These principles guide everything they do, from teaching beginners to organizing world-record attempts. Every lakeshore is left cleaner than they found it, and every participant is welcomed with care. Sauna, freediving, and Finnish wilderness come together naturally in this approach: challenging oneself while honoring the environment that makes it possible.
The partnership between Freediving Fisherman & Friends and Harvia celebrates two powerful Finnish traditions: exploring icy waters and restoring the body through heat. Together, they show how the hot-cold cycle can sharpen the senses, speed recovery, and deepen our connection to the outdoors. Whether diving beneath winter ice or relaxing by a warm fire after a long day, the experience reminds us of a timeless truth - strength grows when we embrace both challenge and renewal.
