Water Tourism Traditional Czech Sport Negotiability and difficulty of rivers Labelling a river as negotiable may be very relative – a river that is easy to navigate for an experienced water sportsman may be dangerous for a beginner. In other words – rivers can have various difficulty levels. To make it easier for people getting ready to travel on the river to judge the river difficulty, a system of water difficulty levels was introduced. It is divided into two levels: flowing, gentle water is marked as ZW and it is classified as level A, B or C. The ZW category does not require any special experience in water sports. The following level, wild water, marked as WW, also includes extremely difficult rivers (or sections) at the border of negotiability, even for the most experienced. The category is divided into levels from WW I to WW VI. Beware of water! When you want to travel on water, you do not need any special equipment and learning the basics of boat control takes a few minutes. However, there are some water sports principles that have to be followed: adequate equipment is important – everyone should have a swimming jacket. Children always, adults when passing weirs and rapids. Children should also have helmets that they can use in more difficult parts. Weirs are the most dangerous places. They are usually impossible to pass. It is recommended to find out how many dams there are on the way (in the rental office where you rent the boat or at www.NebezpecneJezy.cz). Mapy.cz is an app where weirs are marked, and it also provides information on how to carry the boat over. It is also advised to watch out for obstacles in the river bed – rocks, fallen trees, branches, strong currents creating meanders and similar risks. Where to learn more Also at www.Padler.cz, www.Raft.cz or www.VodackaNavigace.cz. The water maps are also available at www.Mapy.cz. Rentals by rivers where they are located can be found at www.Padler.cz/adresare. “TOP 5” sections on Czech rivers Lužnice Morava Ohře Sázava Vltava Morava below Hanušovice Lužnice meanders after Suchdol nad Lužnicí Sázava River valley between Týnec nad Sázavou and Pikovice Valley of Svatošské skály on the Ohře Vltava flowing through Český Krumlov Even though you are travelling on water, the zero tolerance rule applies. That means that as a water sportsman, or the “captain or operator of a boat”, you cannot be under the influence of alcohol, or other substances while on the waterways.