Do you have what it takes to become a wood raft guide?

New wood rafting season in northern Slovakia.

Another wood rafting season has begun in the Žilina Region.Another wood rafting season has begun in the Žilina Region. (Source: TASR/Erika Ďurčová)

Another wood rafting season on the Váh river has kicked off again, though the number of wooden raft "captains" is on the decline.

The keys to the river given to the "captains" by a water sprite named Jurko in late April has become a tradition, the My Žilina website writes.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The tradition of wood rafting declined after the advent of railway transport, but it was restored in 1999 after 60 years.

The rafting adventure near the settlement of Strečno takes 50 minutes and seven kilometres to complete. During the trip, rafters can observe several bridges, two castles, the Margita and Besná rocks, as well as entertaining stories told by the captains.

SkryťTurn off ads

Every year, 5,000 people decide to set out on the river adventure.

Wood raft guides wanted

Today, the Prvá Pltnícka A Raftingová Spoločnosť company employs from 30 to 50 wood raft guides, or "captains", if you like.

However, outside holidays or on working days, the company has to rely on the unemployed or pensioners.

Anyone who is 18 years old or over can undergo a short training and become an assistant guide.

"We prepare people interested in the activity, both practically and theoretically," said the company.

Every guide must also hold a licence that allows them to sail small vessels.

Wind is the enemy

The low water level and the wind give wood raft guides the most trouble.

Still, the adventure is safe. Rafts cannot capsize. "But when we started, we weren't sure about it, we were also afraid," the firm said. An accident can only occur if a passenger leans over the water too much.

SkryťTurn off ads

However, the firm notes, it is the guide's responsibility to keep their raft under control at all times.

The only unpleasant experience, recalled by the firm, is passengers who interrupt guides' lectures on history and natural beauties during the trip.


Spectacular Slovakia travel guides

Top stories

News digest: Rain causes flooding and driving difficulties in Bratislava. Slovakia under storm warning

A drunk driver gets a prison sentence, free events in Bratislava, and a corporate volunteering event returns.


8 h
Vrakuňa’s citizens presented apples washed in water with leaked toxins at the protest in 2016.

Chemical time bomb in Bratislava’s Vrakuňa keeps ticking

The state is failing to solve leaking chemical waste dump.


31. may
Jupiter (centre) and its Galilean moons: from left Ganymede, Io, Europa and Callisto. Juice with deployed antennas and arrays is in the bottom right.

From Košice to Ganymede: Slovak engineers are leaving their mark in space

Slovaks are active participants in two ongoing space missions.


20. may
The Supreme Administrative Court in Bratislava.

Q&A: How does the new justice reform affect people's lives?

The reform also known as the new map of courts became applicable on June 1 of this year.


6. jun
SkryťClose ad