Rowing slalom
For those who are interested in rowing slalom, I would like to make a short digression into the history of this type of rowing. Ancient peoples living in the mountains used boats made of wood to go down. Skillfully avoiding rapids and other obstacles that abound on mountain rivers, they achieved their goal. These people, most likely, were the progenitors of rowing slalom.
In the world, the development of rowing slalom is carried out by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), which was formed on October 20, 1948, and then this type of rowing was officially recognized. The first competition recognized by the ICF was held in 1933 on the Aare River in Switzerland. The first World Championship took place in 1949 near Geneva.
Rowing slalom was included in the program of the 1972 Olympic Games as one of the sports at the suggestion of the organizers. The competition was held in the city of Augsburg, 70 km from Munich, on an artificial slalom canal. At the next Olympics, there was no rowing slalom. But since 1992, at the Barcelona Olympics, this type of rowing was again included in the Olympic program and has since been constantly represented among the Olympic sports.
Team races are also held in each class of vessel (a team consists of 3 crews).
At the Olympic Games, only individual races are held in 4 classes of boats.
The beginning of the development of rowing slalom in Uzbekistan can be considered October 1996, when by order of the State Sports Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the Russian School of Water Sports, a department of this type of rowing was opened. Branches appeared in Tashkent, Tashkent, Samarkand, Syrdarya, Fergana regions, DFSO trade unions, TashGorFSO trade unions, “YOSHLIK”, in the Tourism Center, in the RSDYUSHOR DFSO trade unions.
The first major rowing slalom competitions in our Republic were held in 1973. It was the USSR Championship. The venue chosen was rapids and fast-flowing rivers in the Yaktash region near the city of Angren.
The first international competitions, where slalom rowers of Uzbekistan went, took place in November 1997 - the International Regatta in Pakistan. In January 1998, competitions of Asian countries were held in Malaysia, in which 6 athletes from Uzbekistan participated. In June 1998, our athletes participated in competitions in Germany, then in August 1998 in France at the International Universiade and in October 1998 in the Open Championship of Poland.
Today our slalom rowers already have quite good results in competitions at various levels. You can trace the dynamics of the skill development of slalom rowers of Uzbekistan by the results that they showed in different years.
The participation of our slalomists in the Asian Championships was especially successful.
Myagkiy I., Myagkiy Yu., Naumkin A. K1x3 SpSl 3rd place
Myagkiy I., Myagkiy Yu., Naumkin A. K1x3 SkSp 3rd place
Khavantsev V., Nikolaev A., Zubarev A. S1x3 SpSl 3rd place
Naumkin A., Zubarev A.
Myagky I., Myagky Yu. S2x3 SpSl 3rd place S2x3 SkSp 2nd place
Nikolaev A., Khavantsev V.
Myagky Yu. K-1 SkSp 3rd place
Khavantsev V. S-1 SkSp 3rd place
Naumkin A., Zubarev A. S-2 SkSp 3rd place
Nikolaev A. S-1 SpSp 3rd place
At the XYI Asian Games, which took place in May 2010 in Guangzhou (China), our slalomists A. Naumkin and A. Zubarev took 3rd place in the double canoe downhill (S-2 SkSp).
At World Championships and Cups, the achievements of our athletes are much more modest, but participation in such competitions helps them improve their skills and gain experience in participating in international competitions of the highest class.
Over the years of independence of our Republic, thanks to the serious contribution of the state to the development of Uzbek sports, as well as thanks to the work of the National Canoe Federation and the support of sponsors, the position of this sport in the international arena has strengthened and serious prospects have emerged for the participation of our rowers in various international competitions.
Modern rowing bases have been built that meet the requirements of international standards, where competitions are held with the participation of athletes from the Central Asian region. The preparation of the Samarkand rowing canal for the international competition “Samarkand Stars” is in full swing, the tasks of providing our rowers with modern vessels are being solved, and the victories of Uzbek athletes serve to strengthen the authority of our state.
Today, our slalomists, as well as rowers of other types, have the opportunity to participate in training camps on an ongoing basis, both in Uzbekistan and abroad. A large number of events are being held for the dynamic development of rowing slalom in Uzbekistan. All this undoubtedly brings its own benefits - this is the acquisition of experience, and the development of skills and other positive aspects.
But elite sport begins with children’s and youth sports. Every year in our Republic we hold competitions for young athletes, and this year was no exception.
According to slalom rowers of Uzbekistan, the main thing that should be present in the character of an athlete in this sport is the ability to overcome oneself and one’s fears. Be disciplined, do not feel sorry for yourself in the process of achieving your goal. Constant work on yourself, training, the desire to overcome all obstacles - this is the key to success!