Who we are -
We’re Päivi and Matt—
The founders of Swim Lapland. Päivi brings deep local knowledge of Lapland and years of intercultural and customer service experience, with a real understanding of what British visitors look for in a trip. Matt brings the same warmth and reliability, along with a shared passion for open water swimming that goes well beyond the professional — we’re triathletes and committed swimmers ourselves.
Safety comes first in everything we do. We hold British Swimming Teachers’ Association qualifications in Open Water Coaching and Safety— the highest standard recognised in open water swimming — and we follow both British and Finnish safety standards, so you’re in experienced, careful hands from start to finish.
In summer, Lapland’s waters are warmed by the midnight sun, making for a uniquely beautiful and surprisingly gentle swimming experience under endless daylight. Beyond the qualifications, we’re simply two people who love this place and want to share it properly: friendly, approachable, and fluent in English, with the local insight to take you somewhere genuinely special.
Photo: Terhi Tuovinen
We're a British-Finnish couple — who chose this small corner of the Arctic to build our life and our swimming holidays around.
Every swim we guide comes from real local knowledge, proper safety training and a shared love of this region and its water.
Together we bring local knowledge, real experience and a genuine love of this region to every swim we guide.
Collective Excellence
The Founders and Coaches of Swim Lapland:
Päivi Leivo De Lacy
Matthew De Lacy
I came to open water swimming as a triathlete first, long before I even thought about guiding. Ironman Wales in 2014 hooked me and I have enjoyed triathlons and long-distance swims ever since. The most recent one being the Downhill Swim (24 Km) in Finland. I hold the same STA Open Water coaching and safety qualifications as Päivi, so you are in properly trained hands. I can’t wait to show you this amazing unique location for open water swimming.
I grew up in Inari, Lapland and these lakes and rivers have been part of my life and the highlight of my summer holidays in the last 25 years while I was living in the UK. I trained as a STA Open Water coach because I wanted to share this place properly. It is not just to show you these amazing lake and river swims, but to help you feel confident and safe in them.
Founder of Swim LaplandFounder of Swim Lapland● Contact Matt and Päivi today —