Racing rivers

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Unique adventure

A hundred rafters from 10 countries, including China, Britain, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Costa Rica, competed in the Yushu World Cup from July 19 to 21 last year.

The three-day event was the second leg of the three-stop 2016 World Cup series. It was open to male and female rafters from around the world.

They competed in four disciplines: the sprint, head-to-head, the slalom and downriver.

Yushu government has gone all out to develop rafting in recent years.

The rivers' environments have improved. Facilities have been built. Routes have been established. Rescue personnel have been hired.

Yushu has worked with the Aquatic Sports Administrative Center of China to build a national-level high-altitude training facility.

"Yushu offers a distinctive rafting experience with sceneries typical of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau's hinterlands," says Wen Bao, a senior official with Yushu's government.

Tibetan elements, such as the Princess Wencheng Temple and King Gesar Square, are highlights, Wen adds.

Yushu is working to host the 2018 World Rafting Championship.

Yu is pleased to see Yushu's rafting development.

"There has been great progress in terms of equipment and the competitions," he says.

"We have so many great rivers. I'm happy to see a lot of young rafters engaging in the sport."