Legendary Rafting trip down the Krutynia River - reactivated!

After several years of absence, the legendary “Spływa Twardzieli” (Hard Dive Rafting) returns to the calendar of diving events. The event which takes place in the freezing waters of the beautiful Krutynia River, is a great opportunity to test one’s own abilities against other daredevils, to promote diving as a form of recreation and to promote one of the most beautiful regions in Poland – Masuria.

The upcoming 16th edition of the Rafting of the Tough will take place on Saturday, 3 March 2018. For the first start after a couple of years break, the organisers decided to choose a rather intimate formula. There will be 20 places for swimmers, the event is organised by our own efforts, without sponsors and has a non-profit character. The cost of participation is 30 PLN (commemorative T-shirt) + 0 PLN for belaying and all other attractions.

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The event will traditionally start in Krutyński Pieck (Zatoka Młyńska) at 10.00 a.m. and finish in Ukta, at least for the real Tough Guys. Registration on the list of participants is on a first come first served basis. As always, the event is a 2-day event. After the Rafting of the Hardcore there will be a party and accommodation with breakfast. More details and contact information can be found on event page and here.

The rafting trip organised by the diving club “Płetwal” from Giżycko dates back to the mid-1990s, when a dozen or so enthusiasts decided to use their excess of free time in an exceptionally challenging way.

The first edition of the rafting trip took place in 1994. At that time sixteen participants swam down a 22 km section of the river. In the following years the name of the event evolved and so did the route. And so the All-Poland Rafting Race of the Hardened was transformed into the International Rafting Race of the Hardened, and the route from the extreme 22 km was limited to the very demanding 12 km.

Interestingly, the event organisers do not run any classification and the time of completing the route is of no importance. In previous editions, the title of “Hardman” confirmed by a certificate and a commemorative “Hardman” statuette was awarded to each participant who completed the designated route in a wet suit and diving ABC.

The originator of the event was the late Andrzej “Balon” Tarasiewicz. A man of legend when we talk about diving in Poland, especially in the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes. Today, colleagues and alumni of “Balon” revive this wonderful event, which, after the death of Andrzej, has also become his memorial.

Source: Organiser