Unusual Azov campaigns

Water - the elements are unpredictable and dangerous, instantly changing their mood from gentle small waves to the most formidable and merciless storm. Probably, therefore, the seaman's profession always chose brave and strong people , able to love the sea unselfishly, fearlessly peering into his face, on which eternal life-beauty, and eternal non-existence-is death. And where two of these miracles live side by side, there is always a place for eternal adventurers - romantics. For them, the dream is the engine of life, the impulse and feeling is its meaning, and taking a vacation is the beginning of an exciting water trip. Instead of a quiet beach holiday or a measured country dacha, these people choose the wind, splashes, crazy physical activities and the danger that invariably accompanies any kind of water tourism.

On an inflatable raft through storms, rain and thunderstorms

To go together on a rescue ship's raft to swim the Sea of Azov - an idea bold and desperate, and, nevertheless, embodied in life. Azov campaigns of this type may seem frankly stupid. But only not for those who reckless youth and adventurous winds of changes are calling to perform a feat.

In the distant 1980, two lucky owners of an orange inflatable raft, equipped with a self-made mast and a polyethylene sail, took to the sea. The point of departure was the Berdyansk Spit, and Kazantip Cape was designated as the point of arrival. A gentle daylight and a passing breeze gave way to a dark night and an increasing gusty wind. After a while, the travelers realized that they were destined to get into a real sea storm with a hurricane wind and huge waves. And it happened. At the cost of enormous efforts and thanks to the presence of strength of mind, these sea wolves managed to keep the raft afloat, and the unexpectedly strong sail helped to avoid flooding, forcing the ship to literally run away from the shafts hanging over it. By the morning the bad weather had receded, and a rubber bagel had been thrown onto the land. It turned out to be an Inhabitant spit-reserve zone, lying slightly to the west of the Berdyansk spit.

It would seem that after such a dangerous journey, it's time to stop. But no! This is not in the nature of bold and audacious conquerors of the water element. And in 4 years the next attempt was made to swim the sea. Amateurs in water tourism can notice that the Azov campaigns are not so dangerous, because the sea itself is the smallest in the world. But experienced tourists know that the smaller the depth - the higher and worse the wave.

So, the modernized raft with two crew members again started from the Berdyansk spit. The north-west wind, bright tender sun, phosphorescent water, salt spray - and an improvised boat rushes on all polyethylene sails. But the irony of fate is absolutely the real thing. And with the onset of the night, a serious storm again takes place, compared to which the previous storm seems like a child's play. Between the solid "ninth shafts" fly, issuing chilling sounds, insane seagulls, the water tears the sail and tries to absorb the sailors, in pitch darkness a huge cargo ship rushes to a tiny raft ...

There was everything: both mean words of farewell, and gratitude for strong friendship, and desperate struggle against uncontrollable elements, and crazy adrenaline. In this fight, Man won. And in a few days, an orange ship appeared on the coast of Cape Kazantip.

Describe the emotions of friends does not make sense - it is only necessary to experience, feel on yourself. Their Azov campaigns - complete madness and a real feat - will forever remain one of the brightest impressions of youth.

Our heroes are not the only daredevils who ventured into a fight with big water. Their miraculously survived predecessors went to sea on 2 rubber boats. Other extreme tourists cruised around the Sea of Azov in a kayak with a sail. Their colleagues overcame the most complicated sea route on the catamaran. There are still many examples.

Perhaps, the reader, inspired by these stories, will also want to feel like a strong and audacious conqueror of the seas. And who knows - maybe, after a while we will be surprised and with a sinking heart to read about his exciting Azov campaigns.