Daria Tatarkova

Every season thousand of extreme sports fans all over the world respond to a call of white water

Geographical landscape of Kyrgyzstan – a mountainous country situated in the heart of Asia – is presented by majestic Tien - Shan ranges, picturesque gorges, mountain rivers and lakes. It is difficult to imagine more suitable natural conditions for extreme sports and recreation development. Rock climbing, downhill skiing, mountaineering, mountain tourism and other kinds of sports attract thousands of fearless extreme fans. But perhaps special place of thrill-seeker’s tourist life is occupied by rafting.

To conquer capricious mountain river is not easier than to conquer a mountain top. The risk level depends on route difficulty. Obligatory conditions are good physical qualification, absence of heart diseases and normal pressure and of course psychological tendency to risk.

- If a person has a feeling that something will go wrong it is better for him not to start a trip. When a person feels fear in any even not dangerous situation he starts panic, does not listen to instructor and does not follow his commands. This way a person lets down all team and can cause a real extreme situation, - shares Valerii, the main instructor and administrator of water tourism and sport Center. He has been organizing tourist as well as professional river rafting in Kyrgyzstan for six years.

“Rapids, steep rapids…”

“…tumultuous river does not have a level road” – song says. When you are preparing to rafting there is no level road indeed. Because difficulty of this or that river part depends on the quantity of rapids – river sections with water level fall and accompanying irregularity of water flow, stones in river bed and so called “barrels” – sections with reflux flow, which appears in the area of water fall. “Barrels” are dangerous by their ability to block boat motion and to carry it off under the stream where the boat can overturn.

According to the international classification of obstacles difficulty, every section of mountain river is given one of six categories. The higher the number, the more serious and dangerous are the obstacles, so the route is more difficult too.

Instructors organize routes versus physical qualification and experience of a tourist. They choose river sections appropriate in difficulty. Except raft – an inflatable boat for 6-12 people, one can also use kayak – single-seater boat, or mountain canoe which can also be single our two - seater. Kayak and canoe are smaller that raft. So, they are more maneuverable and unstable in water.

For people who open the world of rafting for the first time professionals advise to start with raft.

- A person should not start his struggle with mountain river without an appropriate outfit. Helmet, wet suit, life jacket, shoes – is necessary outfit for a sportsman, - Valerii continues.

Along the water route

Specialists of the Center worked out routes system

1. Chu river (Issyk – Kul valley)

This program perfectly suits people who decided to raft mountain river for the first time. The difficulty of the section corresponds with two points in a six-point international system. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor one can master oar usage and boat control. Water trip is meant for healthy people of any age, for children below 10 with parents. Rafting begins 10 km from Balykchy town, 1 km from Kayamat Kurkol station (158 km of Bishkek – Balykchy highway).

Period: May – September

2. Chu river (Chui valley)

Rafting begins on 113 km of Bishkek – Balykchy highway and ends at Burulday bridge. Length of rafting section is about 15 km. The difficulty of the section corresponds with three points of international system. Relatively calm sections alternate by tumultuous sections with great waves and rapid flow. This is the most interesting program for those who drives along the river to Issyk – Kul and back to Bishkek.

Period: July - August

3. Chu river (Boom gorge)

The most dynamic, interesting and risky rafting section of Chu river in Boom gorge can be called national arena of “white water”. It is considered to be the best in Central Asia. Here in tumultuous rapids among rocks even the most exacting thrill-seeker is able to get maximal adrenalin dose. The river difficulty sometimes exceeds four points of six-point scale.

Period: May-September

4. Rafting in Inner Tien-Shan (Kekemeren river)

Usually trip starts in the second part of the day. In three hours by car one should reach tunnel at Tua-Ashuu pass (3582 m), get over the Kyrgyz range and to get to Susamyr valley. It will take two more hours to get to the starting point through Susamyr valley and Kekemeren gorge.

Rafting starts in Dgumgal valley, then in picturesque canyon between Sary-Kamysh and Kara-Teke ranges. River difficulty corresponds with the second – third class, calm sections alternate by short tumultuous sections.

Period: April-May, September – November

These are the most popular routes of unforgettable water tours in Kyrgyzstan. Tour operators can offer week tours on Kekemeren river, Naryn and Chatkal rivers depending on qualification and preferences of tourists.

Tested myself

Everyone can find here something of his own, understandable and close for him only.

- Every new trip is not the same. River is different all the time. It is true that one can not go into the same river for the second time,- instructor Denis says, - after the first rafting I decided to devote myself to it. Moreover earlier I felt just delight but now I have a real sporting interest. I always strive to get over more difficult river sections. Of course rafting trains moral qualities as well as any other kind of sport.

Observing Denis getting over stones and rocks by agile hands and with calm face one can barely doubt in his words about moral qualities.

Opinions of tourists who decided to try rafting for the first time were more emotional.

- It was super! Our raft was getting up, then it was getting down so it seemed that we got into funnel, then we were getting up again, hardly evading stones and sticks. I got a great pleasure, - says Anya, wiping her face.

On the next wave I could not keep in raft and fall into the water. I got under the raft and could not get from it, than I was helped to get into the raft again. I was frightened. But everything is ok now, - says Ruslan, taking breath.

I could not help testing my own strength of mind and decided to struggle with an obstinate element personally. And…

… ice-cold splashes cover my face, and I am waiting for the next command, snatched at oar with all my strength.

- Right! –the instructor cries with all his might to be heard here among the peculiar but always unique song of mountain river. By learned movements I try to make a stroke but do not feel usual water resistance. Amazed I look out from the raft  - at this moment wave throws our raft up and I see water playing near us, breaking on thousands of silver tears, flowing behind the next mountain jut. I am crying shrilly from fear or from delight as well as other brave rafting participants. Cries are lost in a terrible roar and at this moment white water is taking us softly back to the bank.

Only now one can have a look around, taking the breath after such an exciting rafting. Beautiful inaccessible and indifferent to human civilization existence rocks, moss-grown cold juts, mysterious, magic caves, bridges. Such picture can never be seen observing freaks of mountain river from road or bank.

Pityingly we are dragging raft to the bank – the route is passed and we have to moor. And white water sparkling in the sun continues calling lovers of water element.

Even now sitting in a stuffy office it seems to me that I hear a hostile song of mountain river as it can be considered for the first glance.

So it’s high time to prepare for journey. In May water tourism and sport Center will officially open the season by new routs, unforgettable impressions, enthusiastic emotions and of course initiation of fearless extreme lovers into the world of rafting.

History of rafting

Rafting appeared in 1920s, in the USA as a commercial undertaking. Big inflatable boats with great buoyancy, safe and stable in water were created and became precondition of appearance of “classical rafting”. With the appearance of this kind of boat rafting on tumultuous rivers ceased to be a privilege of water tourists. During many years they traditionally carried out amateur kayak and float rafting. Grand Canyon in Colorado is considered to be the first mountain rafting. Today rafting is included in tourist program of many countries all over the world.

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Water tourism and sport Center

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