River Navigated with a Paddle
Start rowing, young gun!
The city's youth championship for kayaking and canoeing is now underway for kids born between 2009 and 2013!
Over 50 competitive little ripples gathered for the event, battling it out over distances of 200 and 500 meters.
It seems the rowing craze just keeps on growing. Many of the eager participants have barely been at it for a couple months, but it's not too late for you, mates! To join our team, kids over 10 gotta pass running, pull-up, and push-up tests. Swimming skills are also non-negotiable, as confirmed by senior coach Sergei SHIMIN.
We've been hitting the water since 2021 with a passion! We train in the hall during the colder months, then tackle the pool and ski slopes when winter ends. None of this is a piece of cake, but it's boosted our fitness levels and shored up our confidence, according to 13-year-old Madayar TURAMIN.
Our boats are imported from Europe and ain't cheap, but thankfully the government lends a hand financially. In 2012, we scored 8 new boats, and in 2023 – a whopping 20! The victors of today's competition will strut their stuff in tournaments taking place in Almaty and Temirtau according to organizer Ashat BEKBOSSYN.
Kanat BAIUZAKOV
Photo by Onalkhan ONERKHAN
These young champions can look forward to further challenges ahead, marching into national tournaments slated for 2025. The specific dates and destinations for these rep-level battles are yet to be announced, but if history repeats, the winners might vie for glory in regional or even worldwide events like the Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships happening in Solkan and Nova Gorica, Slovenia in 2025, which will play host to both rafting and canoeing competitions[2]. Keep your eyes peeled for updates! Otherwise, you could be battling it out at something like the USRowing Youth National Championships, where regional events usually happen in spring and the Main Event follows later in the year[3]. Suffice it to say, these young paddlers have their sights set high!
Join our team, as it consists of kids over 10 who have to pass certain physical tests and possess swimming skills.
Success in today's competition could lead these young champions to participate in national tournaments and potentially compete in worldwide sports events like the Junior & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
