Rafting - what is it? What you need to know about rafting. Reviews about rafting

Many people have recently been interested: rafting - what is it? In general terms, rafting is an alloy rafting rivers with rapids on frameless inflatable boats of large sizes. Rafts are quite reliable and stable, they have a lot of buoyancy, so you can not worry about your safety. One of the most important advantages of this recreation is the capacity of the raft (from 6 to 12 people), and this allows you to go to the extreme swimming of a large company.

Rafting in detail

Let's all understand: rafting - what is it, swimming solely along the rivers? In fact, this is a vast concept and means all kinds of extreme recreation on the rivers, rapids and waterfalls. This is not just a risk, but a spirit of rivalry and overcoming. And a break in the full sense of the word - from the earth, civilization and habitual way of life.

Rafting is an original way to get acquainted with the water element. Often under rafting means any activities on the water, where rafts are used. Since water tourism implies a certain risk, it was exclusively a privilege of professionals. But it was so until they invented a raft-vessel, which can be used for rafting on water bodies of any complexity.

Russian Rafting Federation

In Russia, rafting has been recognized as the official sport since 2003. The Russian Rafting Federation is a non-profit organization and has been operating since 2001. This organization received accreditation in 2003. Competitions for this sport are included in the calendar of international, all-Russian and inter-regional sporting events. The Russian Rafting Federation is also a member of the International Rafting Federation. Judges in this sport must meet certain qualification requirements.

Preparing for the alloy

Each of the participants of the raft is primarily obliged to think about their safety. Ships must be of high quality, and equipment - reliable. The design of the raft must provide extreme sportsmen additional insurance against falling overboard (inflatable cross-pieces that fix the legs). Participants in the swim also wear a helmet and a life jacket. In addition, sometimes additional equipment will be superfluous. For example, if the water in the river is ice, then you should think about a wet suit, you can also pick up comfortable shoes - shoes with ribbed rubber soles. Rafting tours can be performed only by those who can swim, because even if you are in a life jacket, he can not deliver a man to the shore by himself.

At the same time, the most reliable rescuer is the raft itself, and if you suddenly find yourself overboard in a stormy river, it is better to pass through all obstacles by holding tightly behind the raft than to reach the shore with a self-floating car.

How to take part in a rafting tour?

To participate in rafting rafting, a participant must evaluate the difficulty of the route. In particular, it depends on obstacles that need to be overcome. Obstacles will be stones in the riverbed, rapids (areas with a difference in water level), as well as other irregularities in the water flow (shafts, plums, barrels). It is worth noting that the big difficulties are caused by barrels - areas with the reverse flow that occurs in the place where the water masses fall from the sink. It can hinder the movement of the court and carry it back into the stream of water, where you can turn over. There is a world classification of the complexity of obstacles in water bodies. There are 6 categories of complexity. Consequently, the higher the number of complexity, the more dangerous and riskier the route.

Reviews

Every year more and more people want to feel the fullness of emotions that rafting can give. Feedback on this lesson is only positive. Moreover, many fans of this sport say that it's worth trying once for a ride - and then it's impossible to stop. Even many fans of passive recreation note that after they swam in the raft along the mountain river, they absolutely did not regret that they ventured to do something unusual for themselves.

How does the swim go?

For people who do not have special training, it is permissible to overcome obstacles not higher than the 3rd category. Those who want to fully experience the adrenaline in large doses, are offered special expeditions. However, such a risk dares only those tourists who have not once descended the steep rapids.

During the trip, people sit on the sides of the raft and under the guidance of an instructor rowing with oars. The guide will give simple commands about the direction of work oars. On complex routes, the instructors of the part are athletes. Rafting is not only rowing, but also stops in beautiful places with cooking on the fire, overnight stays, songs with a guitar.

Geography of travel

Now that we have figured out all the details, we hope you will not be wondering any more: rafting - what is it? Therefore, let us turn to the survey of the most popular routes. The most famous centers of rafting are Karelia, the Caucasus and Altai. However, there are other, no less interesting, routes: the Kola Peninsula, Siberia, Yakutia, the Far East, the Urals. Within the framework of such tours, you can not only do rowing, but also get acquainted with the amazing beauty of the reserved and wild regions of Russia.

Karelia

Our country has a lot of unique water routes, which can be traveled from spring to autumn. A large number of rafting tours are organized in Karelia. For rafting rafting, there is plenty to choose from. The most popular are such rivers as Suna, Shuya, Ohta, Chirka-Kem and others. On Shuya even children can participate in rafting. This river flows through densely populated places on steep high banks covered with pine forest. There are also many beaches and, of course, rapids of the second degree of complexity. Those who want to get especially acute sensations, can go on a journey through the difficult rapids of the river Ohta. Rafting in Karelia is a great variety of route options. This fascinating occupation is also suitable for the Psta River, which runs through the northern part of the republic and flows into the White Sea.

A characteristic property of the rivers of Karelia is the alternation of lake areas with river ones. One of the most exciting is the "Janisjoki-Valaam-Ladoga Skerries" tour, which is designed for a week. It includes a journey through the rocky bays among the Ladoga islands, rafting along the river Janisjoki and a tour of the estate of the Valaam monastery, which is located in a fabulously beautiful place. Rafting in Karelia is an unforgettable experience on routes of different complexity.

Murmansk

Quite an interesting route for rafting enthusiasts is the Umbozera River (Murmansk region). Throughout its length there are rapids, reaches, lakes (there are places up to the 4th category of complexity). The best place for rafting along this river is July-August. Such a holiday will appeal to those who love active, but secluded rest, fishing, northern berries and mushrooms.

Caucasus

In the Caucasus, the attention of tourists is attracted by the Belaya and Mzymta rivers . By the way, it is on them, as well as on the mountain rivers of Altai, the rafting federation conducts the stages of the Russian Rafting Championships. The source of Mzymta is in the mountains, then it flows through a narrow valley and flows near Adler to the Black Sea. The rafting from the Akh-Tsu gorge is in demand among mothers with children, because here the rafting passes almost along calm water. But there are also more complex routes: from Krasnopolyanskaya HPP to the Akh-tsu gorge. In some areas, the raft even begins to jump over huge shafts, overcoming the stormy water depths.

The way along the Belaya River is one of the most extreme. Here a number of thresholds are concentrated in a small area: Teatralny, Topori, Kishi-1, Kishi-2 and Topory. The last three are considered the fifth category of complexity. Threshold Ax is generally insurmountable, so the participants carry the rafts along the shore, and the threshold of Kishi-2 passes through additional insurance. Only for the bravest and brave is this excursion suitable. Rafting is really a test not only of the body, but also of the spirit.

Altai

In the Altai most rivers have a mountainous turbulent character. In the region, the most common alloys on the Katun and its tributary Chuye. Chuya is a mountain river with rather complicated rapids. Katun is a large and wide pond with mighty ramparts, it originates from the slope of the highest mountain of Siberia - Belukha. You can also go through the two ponds sequentially. Rafting on the river Chuya is considered much more difficult: during rafting tourists overcome thresholds from the third to the fifth category of complexity. In order for them to pass successfully, teamwork, composure and self-control are required. Particularly striking is the threshold "Horizon", here the river Chuya is boiling and roaring between two narrow rocky cliffs, and then turns abruptly to as much as 90 degrees. But on this threshold does not end. Only in the lower reaches of the Katun can you relax, there is no particular danger, this route is even allowed to take children.

You'll like it!

So, rafting - what is it? This is an exciting adventure, and the release of emotion, and victory over yourself and the water element. At the same time, remember, there are clear rules that need to be followed. Only if rafting is a safe rest, it can bring a lot of pleasure.