Water Sports

1. Rafting

There are numerous rivers in the Rize region offering significant opportunities for tourism activities. However, rafting is an activity filled with adrenaline and requires high levels of safety. Getting assistance from guides familiar with the river’s path will enhance the enjoyment of this activity. It is mandatory to have the necessary safety equipment for all stages.

   Rafting Difficulty Levels

   – Level 1: Very simple current, suitable for small and easy passages.

   – Level 2: Low current; a regular flow with small rocks and waves, suitable for simple passages without any danger.

   – Level 3: Moderate difficulty; waves up to a meter in this class. Limited visibility.

   – Level 4: Very challenging with large rapids, challenging to predict the beginning and end of drops. Class filled with rough crossings and difficult obstacles.

   – Level 5: Extremely difficult, high flow and current, dangerous rocks, steep slopes, consecutive drops, limited passages for progression. Not recommended for amateur rafters.

   – Level 6: Water pours from meters above the river; filled with frequent obstacles. Even expert rafters find passage difficult or impossible.

   Routes

   a.*Fırtına River: Starting from Çamlıhemşin town in Rize to the sea, this 22-kilometer course offers various stages for amateurs and professionals. The section between Çamlıhemşin and Dikkaya village, which is categorized as level 3 under normal flow conditions during the summer season, is suitable for semi-professionals. The 6-kilometer stretch with level 4 difficulty from Dikkaya to Şenyamaç is aimed at professionals. The 10-kilometer segment from Şenyamaç village downwards, rated level 3, is recommended for amateurs and beginners.

   b.Tunca River: Starting from Tunca village to the confluence with the Fırtına River, this 13.5-kilometer section can be extended an additional 3 kilometers to the sea. The technical features of this course are suitable for semi-professionals, rated at level 3. Characterized as full-down (continuous flow), it’s ideal between June and September.

 

2. Cataraft

   – Cataraft, of Russian origin, has recently been actively used in our region. Especially Russian adventure enthusiasts have started embracing adventure in our region during the lively waters period using the cataraft. As it is designed for more turbulent waters, it’s a sport conducted in rough waters.

   Routes

   a. Fırtına River: Connected to Ülküköy bridge in Çamlıhemşin town, an 8.5-kilometer section along with a total course to the town center offers a 30-kilometer course reaching the sea. Some parts of this section reach level 5 difficulty, making it a fully professional stage. Recommended season: April to June. The canyon encountered after 7 kilometers requires high technical skills due to high water flow. It’s advisable to make a reconnaissance hike beforehand due to rocks in the canyon obstructing passage without sufficient water flow. It’s recommended to seek assistance from a river guide familiar with the area to navigate this full-down section in floodwaters.

   b. Tunca River: A suitable and easy section for catarafting, Tunca Valley is recommended when waters are high in April and May.

   c. **İkizdere River:** Starting from Dereköy to the town center of İkizdere, this 9-kilometer challenging stretch is suitable for professionals due to its narrow and continuous flow. Recommended season: April and May.

 

3. River Canoeing

Canoeing, due to its structure, can navigate both deep and shallow waters, making it suitable for almost any river. Fırtına, Hemşin, Senoz, and Salarha (Askoroz) rivers are suitable areas for river canoeing.

 

4. Lake Canoeing

Most of the glacial lakes within the borders of Rize offer extremely suitable courses for lake canoeing. However, the biggest disadvantage for those interested in this sport is that most glacial lakes require reaching them on foot. Enthusiasts can engage in canoeing at İkizdere district’s Büyük Akçaağıl, Dipsiz, and Ovit Dağbaşı, and in Ardeşen district’s Ovit lakes, relatively easier to reach as they are located along the road.

 

5. Sailing

Young people aged 8-18 can benefit from water sports clubs located in the Rize city center for free. These centers, where canoeing, rafting, and sailing activities take place, have been nurturing athletes for the canoeing and rafting national teams for years. Sailing is one of the most important disciplines among them. After training in shallow waters during school age, students tend to specialize in branches where they show talent, enhancing their inclination towards sports and aiming for a healthy body with a sports consciousness.

 

6. Diving

The Black Sea Divers Sports Club, operating in the city center, conducts advanced level diving training and organizes diving activities in the Black Sea and glacial lakes. The region’s abundance of aquatic areas and the presence of ancient wrecks in the sea are the resources for diving tourism. Particularly, glacial lakes are potential areas for altitude diving. The existence of endemic species underwater makes it appealing for academic researchers and underwater photographers seeking to create documentaries.

 

7. Rope Activities

This sport, increasingly popular in recent years, provides adventurous moments for adventure enthusiasts. Conducted especially by agencies along the Fırtına River, this sport involves crossing a strong river using a pulley system rope stretched between two banks.

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