While Vladivostok is known for its summer SUP festivals, the most unique and famous annual tradition for the local paddleboarding community is the “Ice Floe Theft” (or “Hijacking”), which marks the opening of the spring season . This quirky event usually takes place in early spring (March) in the Amur Bay. What began as a spontaneous prank in 2009 has evolved into a major yearly gathering where dozens of enthusiasts, often wearing full-body wetsuits, land on a large piece of drift ice . Once on the ice, participants celebrate the end of winter with picnics, circle dances (khorovods), and even barbecue parties, symbolizing their “theft” of the last ice from nature as they eagerly await warmer waters .

The ceremony serves as a significant social kickoff for the city’s vibrant SUP community and just so happens to be one of the city’s biggest parties of the year. According to local organizers and instructors, the event is carefully planned with safety in mind—organizers monitor wind and weather maps closely to ensure participants are not at risk from the freezing water temperatures, which hover around 0°C (32°F) at that time of year . While this marks the cold start of the season, the community also celebrates the peak of summer with larger events like the “SUP FEST” in November at Patrokl Bay, which features competitive racing and draws hundreds of guests from across Russia . However, the “Ice Floe Theft” remains the most iconic ritual, showcasing the adventurous spirit of Vladivostok’s paddleboarders who refuse to let the cold weather keep them off the water .