site.btaBulgaria to Host European, Balkan Cups in Whitewater Rafting in April

Bulgaria will host the European and Balkan Cups in whitewater rafting and kayaking in April. The championships will take place between April 19 and 21 on the Struma River in the Kresna Gorge (Southwestern Bulgaria). The events are part of the prestigious International Rafting Federation (IRF) series, held annually in various rafting centres across Europe. The races will be held in Bulgaria for the 8th time and are organized by the Adventure Net extreme sports club.

Emilia Peneva, founder of Adventure Net and member of the IRF Board of Directors, said that Struma is one of the most suitable rivers for rafting and kayaking both in Bulgaria and the Balkans. Struma has a variety of sections with different degrees of difficulty, making it suitable for both amateurs and experienced racers. For years, Adventure Net has been developing the Kresna Gorge area and it is becoming an increasingly popular destination for rafting and kayaking, she explained.

The European and Balkan Cups in whitewater rafting and kayaking bring together teams from various countries, including Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Greece, among others. Prior to the competitions, specialized courses for rafting and kayaking guides, as well as for judges certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF), will be held.

Once again in 2024, the organizers expect to welcome dozens of water sports enthusiasts for the opening of the rafting season. Traditionally, it takes place on the torrential Struma River in the Kresna Gorge in the spring, which has long become a favorite place for rafting and kayaking fans. The organizers continue to work actively on the promotion of extreme water sports in Bulgaria, and their ambition is the Kresna Gorge to become a European and world-renowned destination for rafting and kayaking.