Catamaran rafting on the Pistajoki River in Karelia

Sports rafting on catamarans, passing the thresholds of 3-4 k.s.

The route passes through the territory of the border zone, a pass is issued for each participant of the tour. 

When visiting a route included in the border zone, the tourist must have a passport with him. 

Foreign citizens are not allowed to participate in the tour. 

Fishing: fishing is prohibited on the river until July 15, and fishing with float gear is allowed from July 15 (spinning fishing is prohibited). 

An outboard motor on a catamaran is used to move around the lakes. 

Age restrictions are for children over 10 years old.

Rafting equipment: catamarans are special deckless inflatable vessels for rafting in rough water. The landing is knee-high. Paddles, life jackets, safety helmets, and hard hats are proven, user–friendly equipment. 

Camp equipment: three–person tents. Check-in for 3 people. Each participant is provided with an individual thermal insulation mat. Tableware – everyone needs to have personal tableware. Boilers, trays and other cooking utensils are provided. 

Personal equipment: please inform us about the availability of your own equipment that you plan to take on the tour, as well as the need for a 2-bed tent when booking the tour. 

Meals on the route: three meals a day. Sometimes, based on the conditions of the route, lunch can be replaced with a snack. The instructor prepares the food, the help of tourists is not prohibited. The menu includes fresh vegetables and soups. 

Physical activity: on a Pistajoki River tour, you need a fairly high level of physical fitness, because crossing lakes and steering a catamaran requires the work of each participant, the rapids are difficult and each takes a lot of physical strength. 

Mobile communication on the route: there is a steady signal only at the finish of the route. Megafon and MTS operators have a better signal. Please warn your family. 

The route has been announced by the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Depending on the water level, the danger of the rapids varies. The instructor has the right to make a decision on the removal of dangerous areas and not to let unprepared or drunk participants into the threshold.

On the water, participants always wear life jackets, and when passing dangerous rapids, they wear helmets. Study the recommendations for a set of things when participating in a water trip, so that your vacation will be perfect. The manager will provide you with detailed information.

The company does not accept your personal belongings for storage during active tours. During the rafting, we provide sealed packages with a volume of 80 liters, they can compactly accommodate everything you need. 

We kindly ask you not to take things with you in excess of the norm, as this leads to overload and violates safety regulations.

The route option can be changed while maintaining the main elements that make up the program.

Additional medical insurance is not included in the price of the tour. If you wish, you can apply for insurance on the website of a Large Country without commission directly from insurance companies.

Failure to comply with safety regulations (personal safety) while on the water causes increased risks to life and health. Therefore, follow these instructions.

Before going out on the water:

• Listen to the safety briefing from the instructor and sign for it.;
• match the size of the life jacket and helmet, adjust all the fasteners;
• take a seat in the boat so that it is comfortable and safe.

General rules on the water:

• do not smoke on the ship;
• do not drink alcoholic beverages on the water;
• Always collect loose ropes;
• make sure that the packaging of things is tight and securely fastened to the ship.;
• carefully pack the piercing and cutting objects.;
• do not move around the ship without warning the instructor.;
• always moor (tie up) the vessel when going ashore;
• Secure oars, helmets, and life jackets when going ashore.;
• go ashore carefully, avoiding falling into the water, as well as on the shore on wet rocks, if necessary, ask for help from an instructor or other group members.;
• It is forbidden to swim or dive from the ship.;
• observe the interval and order of movement of the vessels set by the instructor.;
• You can unbutton and take off your life jacket and helmet only with the instructor's permission.;
• Follow the instructor's commands and instructions.;
• do not exceed the standard number of people in the vessel;
• when on the water in sunny weather, use sunglasses, sunscreen and cover the exposed areas of the body and head.;
• Do not stay on the water during thunderstorms.

When passing the thresholds:

• anyone can refuse to pass the threshold;
• before the threshold, check the reliability of securing things, the assembly of ropes, the degree of pumping of the vessel, if something is wrong, inform the instructor.;
• Be sure to fasten your safety vest and helmet.;
• check that your clothes comply with the recommendations (neoprene, closed elbows and knees, shoes fixed on the foot);
• Secure your legs so that you can hold on securely, but you can easily free yourself when the ship turns over.;
• do not tie yourself to the boat, do not tie an oar to yourself, etc.;
• Follow the instructor's commands without doing anything unauthorized.;
• do not move around the ship;
• do not push off the rocks with an oar without an instructor's command;
• Do not jump out onto rocks or into the water without an instructor's command.

In case of contact with water:

Before difficult thresholds, ask the instructor in detail about your actions again. If possible, practice in advance to get on the ship from the water yourself, swim in a life jacket, etc.

• assess the situation, do not panic (remember that you are wearing a life jacket);
• if your boat or a safety vessel is nearby, swim up to it so that you are upstream, grab the harness (rail);
• if the ship is far away, but you have been thrown a safety helmet, take the safety helmet and hold it firmly without attaching it to yourself or wrapping it around your hand;
• if you are swimming in the stream, and the threshold does not end, turn on your back, with your feet downstream, bending them slightly at the knees, and swim, controlling the paddle.;
• if the "barrel" does not let you go, hold your breath and try to dive down where there is a jet.;
• do not let go of the paddle, it is useful for steering on the jet, for going ashore.;
• do not try to stand on the bottom in a strong stream, avoid sticking your feet in the rocks.;
• If you are fishing, avoid wrapping it around your body, neck, etc.

The peak activity of ticks is in spring and early summer, the distribution area is Southern and Middle Karelia.

To prevent tick-borne encephalitis, it is necessary to stay on the shore in clothes that tightly wrap around the wrists, lower back, ankles, and wear a hood.

Avoid walking through deciduous areas of the forest, dry grass.

It is necessary to inspect the clothes every two hours.

Railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.

Active recreation tours are associated with physical activity and exposure to adverse climatic factors. Therefore, for the safe passage of the route, we recommend:

• evaluate your physical abilities when choosing a tour;
• undergo a medical examination, follow the recommendations of doctors;
• Take your personal equipment with you in accordance with the recommendations of the travel agency.;
• Take a personal first aid kit with you;
• get prevention of tick-borne encephalitis.