Water sports

Water sports in Slovakia

A large number of rivers, lakes, weeds, ponds or artificial water reservoirs provide many water activities and water sports in Slovakia.

Canoeing

During the summer season there are several popular places for sailing or sailing, such as: Liptovska Mara dams or Palcmanska Masa in Slovak Paradise.

Water sports is also a popular sporting activity in Slovakia. Boating clubs have been operating since 1931 and our athletes regularly participate in various paddling championships as well as at the Olympic Games.

Motor boats

One of the good ways to spend time near the water surfaces are trips and boating motor boats, yachts or jet skis. Holidaymakers can use them on the water areas Liptovská Mara, Orava dam, Zemplínska Šírava, Zlaté Piesky, Slnečné jazerá. Motorboats can be replaced by hovercraft that are safer, fast and easy to use not only on the water.

Rafting

Rafting is the rafting of fast and cascading rivers on a large rubber boat. Experienced hikers or qualified instructors are recommended as companions in this sport. Because this sport can be quite dangerous for inexperienced people.

Slovakia, thanks to its dense river network of various shapes, offers the possibility to navigate streams of various sizes and types. Lovers of traditional longer passages usually choose rivers Hron, Váh, Nitra, Ipeľ, Orava or Ondava. Navigating the Little Danube River and the arms of the Danube River or the Morava River are easy and sought-after.

Due to the oscillating groundwater level throughout the year, some smaller rivers can only be navigated at certain times. In this group, at the time of snow melting, there are rivers such as Bela, Revuca, White Vah. Čierny Váh is navigable from its confluence near Liptovská Teplička. For example, rivers such as Dunajec and Hornád are popular. Less demanding rafting can be experienced on the river Váh from Bešeňová through Ružomberok to Kraľovany.

Water bikes

In Slovakia it is usually possible to rent a water bike on large water bodies or natural pools. Currently, there are several types of water bikes that are normally available to holidaymakers on every water surface, from the simplest for individuals to group ones, which are able to carry 4-6 people. All water bikes are usually easy to operate and can reach speeds of up to 10 to 15 km / h without effort.

Water skiing

This discipline is the king of water sports and has been very popular for a long time. It has two forms – traditional motor boat pulling and ski towing. Beginners are recommended to take a lift; more advanced skiers can be towed by boat.

Water skiing can be enjoyed in Blatno near Senec, Ružín, Bukovci and Čani near Košice. The Košice Center was twice the venue of the World Championship.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is the youngest of the water sports family. It was created by a combination of surfing and yachting. The most prestigious competition Eurosaturn Cup is held every year on the Senec Lakes.

Slovakia really has many good places for recreational surfing compared to neighboring countries. Our best known water reservoirs and dams are Orava, Domasa, Zemplinska Sirava and some smaller ones, Sĺňava, Ružiná, Šamorín.

Rafting

Wooden rafting is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the north of Slovakia.

One of the unforgettable experiences is certainly rafting on the Dunajec River in the beautiful natural scenery of the Pieniny National Park.

The wooden vessel is made of logs, beams or boards. In addition to wood transfer, they are used to transfer various materials, sometimes people.

The best known route is rafting down the Dunajec Gorge from Červený Kláštor. The end of the route is located near the cottage Pieniny, where you can listen to Goral music and taste Goral specialties.

The rafting season usually starts on 1 May and ends on 31 October. Tourists can also see the rafts on the river Váh below the Strečno mountain or on the river Orava.