In Tunceli, students get acquainted with water sports at Munzur Stream and Keban Dam Lake

Students who are interested in water sports in Tunceli improve their skills with the training they do in Munzur Stream and Keban Dam Lake.

In the city, which has many untouched natural beauties, sports activities are becoming more common every year thanks to the facilities offered.

Keban Dam Lake in the Pertek district of the city and Munzur Stream, which has its source in the Ovacık district, also attract attention with their suitability for rafting and canoeing.

In this context, the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports implements projects at certain periods in order to introduce water sports to students studying in primary and high schools in the city.

Students receive training at Pertek Water Sports Center and Şehit Kaymakam Muhammed Fatih Safitürk Water Sports Center in the city center.

Athletes between the ages of 13 and 17, who first receive theoretical information from their coaches, then learn to ride rafting boats and row in groups.

They are preparing for domestic and international competitions

After a few months of study, students who improve in rafting also have the opportunity to participate in competitions held domestically and abroad.

Coach Mustafa Ali Akbulut, in his statement to the AA correspondent, said that Tunceli is a suitable place for water sports with its rivers and lakes.

Stating that they opened rafting basic training camps for students in many provinces of Turkey, Akbulut said:

“In these camps, we brought together our athletes who were introduced to rafting for the first time and who had already started this sport. We initially subjected them to a basic training program and informed them about the sport of rafting. We are currently continuing to work with our students on advanced technical training in rafting.”

Serhat Yıldız: “Trainings are done in stagnant and streams”

Coach Serhat Yıldız, who works at Pertek Water Sports Center, also explained that athletes are actively trained in canoeing and rafting in the city.

Stating that they are trying to increase the number of athletes, Yıldız said, “Currently, there are 30 canoeists and 35 rafting athletes participating in the training at Pertek Water Sports Center. We have 30 rafting athletes in Tunceli center. Trainings are carried out in both stagnant and river waters.” he said.