productive leisure, boating, river tourism, tourism, rest
My first swimming
(August, 1990)
In the beginning of August, 1990. The industrial practice on which it was possible to earn on those times not small money (about 400 Soviet roubles) has just ended. My messmate Andrey, with whom we together passed to practice, has suggested to buy kayaks. I saw kayaks alive only sports earlier and, to tell the truth, hardly imagined as on such not a steady vessel it is possible to travel on the river without certain skills but as it has appeared, it was a question of tourist kayak Timen. This kayak was on sale in two bags: one in the form of a backpack with a cover from gummed fabrics, another long with elements of a skeleton from duralumin. I have bought 2-seater (weight - 32 kg), and Andrey 3-seater (weight - 45 kg).
I would not like to test acquisition, and Andrey has suggested it to make in Schurovo (settlement on Severski Donets), his wife in camp medical university there had a rest. We have agreed to go there by the bus, taking with ourselves my kayak. The idea consisted in simply to collect it, to float and swim for a while a little.
On road service station it has appeared, that the bus which goes through Schurovo, will be only next day, but there was a bus on Slavyanogorsk (now Svyatogorsk) which too is on Severski Donets somewhere not far from Schurovo. Andrey has suggested to go in Slavyanogorsk, and from it on a kayak to reach to Schurovo. It is necessary to notice, that the card at us with itself was not, but we have decided, that even if that does not leave somehow we will return back.
Have arrived in Slavyanogorsk somewhere to 4 pm, have collected a kayak under the instruction. It is necessary to tell, that the most difficult was to pull bulwark (we did it by means of usual flat keys from a door-lock, I advise for these purposes to take a screw-driver). On assemblage at us 1 hour has left. Have spent interrogation lounging around people on a subject, in what party Schurovo further, here opinions were divided: one said that to float it is necessary upwards on the river, others - downwards. We have decided what to go down stream a little bit more pleasantly, had a bite, lodge in a kayak and have floated.
I wish to tell about some properties of this vessel now. Not loaded boat gives not big to a deposit somewhere 10 see to Turn it is practically impossible even if to shake, standing unless will fall. Very maneuverable, it is behind equipped by a wheel with the pedal draught, giving the chance to do smooth turns without loss of speed. Council: if for the speed it is necessary to turn sharply, dip an oar to input from that party where wish to turn, and row mightily into the opposite party from movement. Develops decent speed what precisely I will not tell, but usual boats nearby did not roll. Somehow we were overtaken by drunk men on motor boat laugh our vessel. And somewhere in half an hour them motor boat has got stuck in the middle of the river, and they asked them to extend us, but neither at us, nor they did not have a superfluous cord, and already we from them have mocked.
While floated, from time to time asked anglers, whether it is far to Schurovo, some "e;optimistically"e; answered, that by the morning we will reach. The sun already came, when on a left-hand side has begun enough dense wood, there were also many snags, the washed away trees falling over the river. Almost has absolutely darkened, when we floated by the old and rusty ferry. Somewhere to 10:30 we have come to Schurovo. It is necessary to tell, that we not all time of rowing, a hand get tired, the current helped us, sometimes a wind caught oars. A kayak have left at boat station medical university, have spent the night in a room at girls. Next day have swum behind corn against a current, it is a little bit more difficult as to row all time at least by turns is necessary. Near Schurovo is small creek in which white water-lilies grow.
After a dinner have dried a kayak (to dry it it is desirable in the collected condition), have disassembled (at assemblage-dismantling watch, that sand did not get to skeleton elements if has got, try to clear them). Have spent the night in camp one more night and have left by bus to Donetsk in the morning.
Have then measured on a card distance which we have overcome on the river from Slavyanogorsk to Schurovo, it turned out about 40 km so judge speed. We inspired by the first successful experience have decided to type a command and to float on 2 kayaks, with tents and other equipment of days on 10, read about it here.
Constantin Fyodorov
05.02.2008
Русская версия
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