Jyri Jäppinen
El Capitano Jyri – expert in safety, adventure and Lake Saimaa
Jyri Jäppinen is the cornerstone and backbone of Saimaa Wild Crew Oy – an experienced captain, adventure organizer and everyday all-rounder who makes sure that every experience on Lake Saimaa is both safe and unforgettable.
Alongside Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, Jyri also works as an entrepreneur at Open Shores Saimaa Oy, where he is responsible for planning and carrying out adventure cruises and nature experiences. He has strong small vessel expertise, excellent navigation skills and extensive practical experience on the water, even in demanding conditions.
As the captain of the Polaris 1 adventure vessel and on Saimaa Wild Crew adventures, Jyri ensures that every trip is smooth, safe and full of experiences.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Jyri worked for over 16 years as a police officer, a significant part of that time as a police dog handler and in search and rescue operations.
This background has given him exceptionally strong safety expertise, pressure tolerance and the ability to act responsibly in all situations.
In addition, he has experience in security duties with the Finnish Defence Forces and training related to crisis management. By nature, Jyri is relaxed, approachable and social – but at the same time a firm professional you can trust in any situation.
El Capitano guides, arranges and organizes all Saimaa Wild Crew Oy activities on trips and adventures, taking responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the guests.
MarkuS Luukkonen
Forest Man Markus – enabler of nature’s peace, traditions and adventure
Markus Luukkonen, or Metsäkeisari Luukkonen among friends, is the calm organizer of Saimaa Wild Crew Oy – a man whose roots run deep in nature and whose way of life is built on peace, doing things hands-on and respecting the world around him.
Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, Markus has lived surrounded by work, responsibility and initiative throughout his life. Later, he became an entrepreneur himself, continuing the operations of Loma-Autio, a partner of Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, and developing it into a nature-oriented, sustainable and customer-focused whole.
For Markus, entrepreneurship is not a project or a destination – it is a lifelong journey where learning, development and hands-on work go hand in hand.
He is the one who makes sure that the setting is in place, the environment works and nature remains part of the experience – not as a backdrop, but as a living partner.
Metsäkeisari Luukkonen can easily be described as a calm, thoughtful and determined visionary. At the same time, he has a deep interest in traditions – old ways of doing things sustainably and respectfully.
At Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, Markus is the enabler and creator of the setting – the calm force that allows adventures, events and experiences to happen smoothly. He creates the foundation on which experiences are built: sustainable surroundings and a way of working that respects nature.
Mika stömberg
All-rounder Mika aka PuuhaKeke – experience builder, motivator and master of complete packages
Mika Strömberg is one of the key driving forces behind Saimaa Wild Crew Oy – a versatile doer who combines decades of experience in coaching, event organization and nature experiences into functional and memorable packages.
Mika has nearly 30 years of experience in sports and professional coaching, during which he has developed strong skills in inspiring people, building cooperation and solving different situations quickly and flexibly. His natural strengths include organizing, leading and managing complete packages – skills that show in smooth events, well-functioning schedules and a relaxed yet professional atmosphere.
During more than ten years spent in Switzerland, the Alps became an important part of Mika’s life. He has guided and taken friends and acquaintances on numerous ski touring and hiking trips in the mountains, gaining strong experience in carrying out outdoor activities safely and memorably in demanding conditions.
In Finland as well, nature – especially the Saimaa region – has been an important place for Mika to recover, make long excursions and build experiences. Over the years, he has organized numerous events, trips and adventures for friends and acquaintances, continuously developing his ability to combine experience, safety and community into functional packages.
By nature, PuuhaKeke is firm but easy to approach, social and inspiring – the kind of person who gets ideas moving and people involved. He is the enabler who makes sure things actually happen and do not just remain plans.
At Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, Mika is responsible for planning and carrying out many events, excursions and experience packages – ensuring that every experience is smooth, safe and full of good energy.
PuuhaKeke makes adventures happen – putting people first, respecting nature and creating experiences.
Klasu Lindholm
Papa Luigi – builder of customer experiences and shared adventures
Klasu Lindholm, better known as Papa Luigi, is Saimaa Wild Crew Oy’s sunny all-rounder – a man who combines decades of experience in sales, marketing and business development with a strong sense of adventure and a people-oriented way of working.
In Papa Luigi’s world, the best customer encounters are built on trust, genuine presence, a good atmosphere and the ability to meet people as they are.
Over the years, Klasu has seen the world widely. His adventures have taken him from the mountain landscapes of Mont Blanc to diving trips in Norway and travel adventures in Asia. Experiences from different environments, people and cultures have created a strong foundation for the way he operates both at work and in everyday life.
In recent years, Lake Saimaa and its unique peace have become an important part of his life. Boating, spending time in nature, fishing and shared moments by the campfire are the environments where Papa Luigi feels most at home.
Although Klasu is known as a talkative storyteller, bringer of humour and builder of team spirit, he also knows how to pause in the moment and let nature do its work.
At Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, Papa Luigi brings community spirit, positive energy, strong business expertise and people-oriented service skills to the team.
Adrian Kuntz
Ädu – a man of practical work, nature and adventure
Ädu – a man of practical work, nature and adventure
Adrian Kunz, better known as Ädu, is one of Saimaa Wild Crew Oy’s hands-on doers – a man whose strengths include initiative, practical know-how and the ability to take action in any situation.
Raised in Switzerland, Adrian grew up on a farm surrounded by hard work, responsibility and initiative. Practical work, spending time in nature and different kinds of projects have long been part of his everyday life.
Over the years, Adrian has become familiar with Lake Saimaa through several visits. With time, the area became an important place for him, and its nature, waters and surroundings left a lasting impression.
By nature, Ädu is calm, approachable and good-humoured. He enjoys being in nature, by the water and doing things together with others. His practical way of working and his desire to do things carefully are clearly reflected in the way he operates.
At Saimaa Wild Crew Oy, Adrian takes part in developing the operations and carrying out practical tasks, bringing an international perspective to the company and strengthening connections towards Switzerland.
