This fall, one of our Russian Retailers supported and organized a whitewater festival called WW-Run- here is a little report on the events that took place! Enjoy:
WW-RUN whitewater festival was held on the river Belaya, Adygea region, Caucasus Mountains, Russia in August 22-26. It was the first such festival in Russia and it was a big success. The festival was devoted to kayakers of different levels – from begginers to crazy paddlers.
The first day was kayak-ball. This was the most fun event. 4 big (about 1 meter in diameter) balls are thrown from the bridge. 4 paddlers should drive their balls to the finish line. Paddler can touch his own ball anyway (by hand, boat or paddle) but the balls of others only with hand or boat – not with paddle. Physical contacts are not allowed. 2 first paddlers, who crosse the line with the ball go to the next round. Here wins not the most experienced rider, but the most crafty. That’s because you can push your ball to the finish or you can push rival’s ball to the eddy or to the shore. And he will lose a lot of time.Next day was double-travers: Team competitions. The team consists of 2 paddlers. Each paddler of the team starts from the eddy of its own bank. On the start signal each paddler starts crossing of the river. After first paddler touches the bank he needs to wait until second paddler touches the banner or the bank. This action is one complete double travers. The task is to make as many as possible such double traverses on the restricted river section. The team which made more double traverses wins.
Such kinds of competition like double-travers and kayak-ball were held for the first time in Russia. Especially people liked kayak-ball, it was interesting to compete and funny to watch.
Next 2 days were long runs for normal paddlers and extreme race for crazy paddlers. It was very low water level on the river and water was more simple than expected. That’s why extreme race was really not so extreme. But all people were glad and everyone had a lot of fun.
Winners were awarded with medals and different prizes from our sponsors Piranha, Shred Ready, Immersion Research, Halti. Extreme race winner had got a new Piranha Molan, second place – IR Lucky Charm skirt; long run winner had got Standard Fullface helmet from Shred Ready. The best man and best woman got Union Suits from Immersion Research. Other winners got hoodies, t-shirts and caps from SR and IR.
And of course party every night is also important part of fistival!
We hope this festival will become an regular event and will collect more and more people. ~Semen Lurie
Nice!