Representatives from 19 countries participated international rafting forum in Russia’s Altai (PHOTO)

By Davit Yeghiazaryan from Altai

International rafting forum titled “White Water of Siberia 2017” was held for the second time in Russia’s Altai region.

The forum is organized within New General project launched by Rossotrudnichestvo federal agency.

This year the event brought together 41 participants from 19 countries: Brazil, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Russia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Mongolia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan. Armenia was represented by editor David Yeghiazaryan and sports journalist Artur Shahinyan.

It all started in the city of Tomsk, where the opening ceremony of the forum took place followed by a football match between the world team and the locals that ended in a draw.

The forum involved both professional rafters and newcomers interested in this sport. World champions as well as participants of world and European championships were among the guests.

After three days spent in Tomsk we arrived in Altai, where we visited a number of beautiful places along the route Lake Teletskoye -Chulyshman River.

If you want to see the incredibly beautiful nature, endless mountains and enjoy fresh air - you should definitely visit Altai.

Armenians are everywhere, but certainly not in Altai, one may think. You are mistaken. According to locals, many Armenians moved to Altai in the 80s and, mainly, are engaged in construction and hotel business.

Altai hosts two rafting teams - Altai raft and GAGU, which are one of the leaders of the Russian championship.

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