Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships, Finland

Posted by Jill Bowen on Sun 1st July 2007 at 02:09 AM, Filed in

Yes, honestly there is such an event! Frequently I feel like throwing other peoples mobile phones into the nearest large stretch of water when they ring in restaurants, cinemas, theatres. Actually, I’ll let you into a secret…I hate the things, I find them intrusive, always amazed at the amount of money people spend on the latest ‘must have designer’ ones. A ridiculous fixed appendage to peoples hands…. and those stupid things a lot of folk have stuck to their ears…. what do they look like!  Spock in Star Trek!!! Do I own one? Yes, an ancient model that I might use three times a year.

So maybe I’ll join the hundreds of people each August (this year the 25th ) who gather from around the world in Savonlinna, Finland for the annual Mobile Phone Throwing Championship.

This event has been arranged every year since 2000, and is now spreading worldwide! The record stands at the present time at 82.55 metres for the ‘original’ over the shoulder throw.

Why do people throw them? Surely not everyone hates them as much as me! Oh no, in fashion conscious Finland (known as the home of the mobile phone) to have the latest one is de ‘rigour’. According to the insurance companies there are lots of phones laying in the thousands of lakes in Finland! Actually most of the phones are returned to stores in exchange for new ones and then become a toxic waste.  But before mobile phones become toxic waste they can be recycled in this amazing sport…. the only sport where you can pay back all the frustrations you incur from using them!

Don’t bring your old model along to throw…. you can only use the ones provided. The organisers receive many styles and makes of phone; they are checked and then approved as official Championship equipment. The weights vary from 220 gram to over 400 grams.  Competitors are allowed to choice which one they want to throw. Some folk think heavier phones go further than the lighter ones, and others the opposite!

Photograph of Savonlinna

What are the rules and categories?

• Only official phones can be used
• The competitor must stay within the throwing area (step over and disqualified)
• The phone must land within the marked throwing sector
• The jury’s decision in final
• No dope testing – but the competitor must be in a fit state to throw, and can be excluded if he/she is considered a danger to him/herself or to others!

Four categories;

Junior; – under 12, traditional over the shoulder throw to be used, the furthest throw is the winner, one throw per competitor

Freestyle; no age limit, team (maximum of 3 per team) and individual event, style and aesthetics will be judges, overall appearance is crucial, competitor with highest score wins, one throw per competitor

Original; traditional over the shoulder throw, just the length of the throw, the furthest throw is the winner, one throw per competitor, own series for men and women

Team original; traditional over the shoulder throw, max. 3 persons per team, team can be men or women, teams members scores added – the highest score wins, one throw per competitor.

All that’s needed to enter is a strong arm – and a good sense of humour.  Maybe this could be a new event you’re your local town/village fete?

Anyway, mobile phone throwing could be a good excuse to visit the beautiful Savonlinna which is in Europe’s largest lake district.  The town is built on 3 islands joined by bridges and boasts a mediaeval castle (St Olaf’s) which dates from the 15th century.  The town does host some rather more high-brow events with a ballet festival in June and an Opera festival in July.

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