A sport catamaran is not just a tool for active leisure. It represents national pride and history. This extraordinary watercraft, capable of conquering the most complex cascades and being the fastest vessel for its weight category, was born from the self-driven water tourism in the USSR .
Soviet Tourism Poster
Hiking and mountaineering stayed at the forefront for a long time: mountains exuded heroism and romance, while hiking required neither specialized technical skills nor expensive gear. But the desire to conquer whitewater on mountain rivers paved the way for designing new types of watercraft.
The Kayak Came First
The kayak was the first vessel specifically developed for water tourism. Before it, there was simply no proper vessel for handling challenging waters, and rafting on makeshift rafts was considered the domain of fishermen, daredevil enthusiasts, or just kids’ fun.
One of the first sport kayaks
The concept was borrowed from northern peoples, then modernized to meet tourists’ needs. By the 1960s, kayakers in the Soviet Union began actively exploring rafting as a sport.
The frame-based kayak unlocked incredible opportunities for Soviet tourist-rafters. Along with serene forest rivers, the Soviet Union boasted challenging mountain rivers, which presented significant sporting interest.
1974: Amateur tourist-rafters in action
Creating the First Sport Catamaran
Soviet tourist-rafters began experimenting with homemade gear as they gained experience. The boldest among them attempted to navigate high-category routes on kayaks, but such vessels were not designed to meet the challenge.
Thus, in 1977, the first inflatable sport catamaran was designed by Sergey Papush.
Diagram of Sergey Papush's catamaran
Along with a group of fellow rafters, Papush was preparing for a kayaking expedition on one of the most challenging rivers—the Altai Bashkaus. Even for today’s professional extreme sports enthusiasts, equipped with first-class gear, this river remains a daunting test. The situation was even riskier for the kayakers of that time. However, the young athletes had little choice: they either used what they had or invented something new.
The goal was to create a multi-seater vessel, suitable for slaloming, with high load capacity and easy transportability. The challenge was to combine design elements of a raft and a kayak, an idea that seemed impossible at first. Yet, the resourceful Soviet tourist managed to meet this challenge.
Kirillov's design and implementation
Together with friends, Papush assembled his first catamaran from old rubberized nylon and mattress fabric. He tested it on the Kuban River’s Amahknit Rapids. The craft lived up to all expectations, and in 1978, the group finally set out for the Bashkaus. They completed the route successfully, with some members traveling by kayak, while the catamarans provided safety support. That famous expedition won the Union’s water tourism championship.
Sizov's Catamaran
Since then, Papush’s idea has continued to inspire people passionate about rafting. Starting in the late ’70s, tourists began creating homemade catamarans with floaters made from canvas covers stuffed with volleyball bladders or other inflatable materials. Catamaran builders refined design elements according to their individual preferences, creating new, more convenient and safer models.
The Evolution of the Catamaran
Many years have passed since the first voyages in catamarans. Experience has been accumulated, new materials discovered, and techniques from foreign colleagues have been adopted. As a result, specific standards for sport watercraft have emerged.
Homemade inflatable sport catamaran construction
Today, in Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union, several manufacturers are renowned on both sides of the Ural Mountains. Among them are “Triton,” “Belraft,” and “Raftmaster.” In addition, most cities have their own companies producing recreational catamarans and other rafting equipment. Enthusiastic enthusiasts have even learned to sew and assemble catamarans independently, including custom orders, so purchasing a suitable vessel nowadays is not difficult. This situation opens up all sorts of opportunities for water adventure lovers, making catamaraning a very popular activity.
It has reached the point where, during the May holidays, when most water tourists head out on trips, it can be challenging to find a free camping spot on the most frequented rivers.
The Catamaran Today
A catamaran is a reliable and stable watercraft that, unlike a kayak, is less prone to capsizing due to sudden movements.
In its disassembled state, it consists of several separate parts, which simplifies transportation. Its high payload capacity allows you to take a considerable amount of luggage and additional passengers with you.
Inflatable watercraft
Categorized Rafting
To participate in categorized rafting expeditions, a tourist must have the necessary experience and equipment, as these activities involve risks to life.
Everything is planned in advance: the river is selected, the features of the surrounding area are studied, the group composition is confirmed, and route documents are prepared. Such thoroughness and forethought are not coincidental; the challenges of water tourism are not limited to overcoming complex rapids.
Categorized descent
Many rivers are located in places inaccessible even to off-road vehicles, so getting to the starting point often requires hiking. Furthermore, the very conditions of autonomy can be potentially dangerous, as tourists have to rely solely on themselves in any situation. In many sections of the route, there is no cellular coverage to call for help, and even if rescuers can be reached, there’s no guarantee they will arrive quickly.
However, risks come with rewards. Water adventurers who conquer challenging rivers enjoy the thrill of the extreme, and if the trip is registered with the route qualification commission, they also receive a certificate verifying their expertise.
Selecting the right river for rafting , suited to the skill level of a particular group of water tourists, is crucial.
Sailing on Inflatable Vessels
Sails have always fascinated romantics. In our country, the most popular vessel in this category is the inflatable, collapsible catamaran.
It is relatively inexpensive, takes up little space when disassembled, making it easy to transport, and can even be stored at home in a cabinet or attic.
Inflatable sailboat
The ideal environment for sailboats includes vast bodies of water where wind can be harnessed: reservoirs, large lakes, and sea bays. Participants in this kind of rafting must have the skills to manage the sail structure, which they can acquire on simpler water trips with more experienced peers. These activities are an excellent form of active recreation.
Although a seasonal activity, catamaraning is currently not as widespread as, for example, rock climbing, which can be practiced year-round at indoor climbing gyms. However, passionate water-sports enthusiasts have solved this issue: specialized rowing pools are being opened in cities where people can train while rivers are covered in ice. And once the season arrives, anyone can try their hand at it.
The accessibility of this exciting activity has led to a growing number of catamaran enthusiasts. New sports schools are opening, techniques and equipment are improving, and water adventurers are exploring new routes, including those abroad. In short, what was once a camping hobby for Soviet tourists has undergone comprehensive development in our country and is becoming increasingly popular every year.
References
- “Water Tourism in the USSR (Sports and Mass Activities in Rowing Sports)” Instructional Guide for Students, GTSOLIFK, 1986.
- “Journey on Rowing Vessels” by Boldyrev S., Zhmurov V., FiS, 1979.
- “Water Tourism” by Romashkov E.G., FiS, 1957.
