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‘HSE University Has Every Chance to Become the Main Ambassador and Guiding Star of Rafting’
© Marina Soroka/ Moscow Rafting Federation
On July 12, 2025, Moscow’s first student raft regatta, RAFTDAY XSPORT, took place on the Skhodnya River. It was organised by XSPORT HSE Active Recreation Club with the support of the Sports Community Development Centre of HSE Corporate Academy, the HSE Department of Physical Education, SUP ACADEMIA store, and the Moscow Rafting Federation. Regatta participants shared their impressions with HSE University Life.
Maria Nesterskaya
Captain of Raft 1, founder of XSPORT, third-year student of Computational Social Sciences programme
— For our main summer event this year, we chose an unusual outdoor activity—rafting. After last summer’s successful SUP regatta, we thought that registration would fill up immediately, but this time we exceeded our own expectations. In addition to HSE University students, there were also students from 10 other universities among the participants. In total, there were 12 rafts with 72 people taking part.
Last summer, XSPORT hosted the first student SUP regatta at HSE University—SUPDAY HSE. This project won the competition to support extracurricular activities and received the prestigious ‘Cast Iron Egg’ award from HSE University.
Participants gathered for the rafting regatta to begin at 8:30 am. An hour later, everyone had already registered and was ready to go. Those taking part were divided into 12 groups of six people each. After the organisational part was completed, the vice champions of the World Rafting Championship and instructors from the Moscow Rafting Federation demonstrated how to properly board a raft, hold an oar, and, most importantly, how to rescue someone from the water.
Zaur Kyazymov
participant of the regatta, third-year student of the Psychology programme
— As with any new business venture, getting started was the hardest part. Although all of my team members were friends or acquaintances, it was difficult to coordinate at the beginning. Despite these challenges, over time, we adjusted to each other and started working well together. Overall, my experience at the regatta was positive, and I’m glad I participated in this exciting event with my friends.
Elizaveta Kuznechikova
Captain of Raft 9, organiser of RAFTDAY XSPORT, third-year student of Computational Social Sciences pro-gramme
— I am sure many participants came to the regatta hoping to relax and have fun, but the enthusiasm of the instructors could not be dampened. A race is a race, and I think everyone on each team truly came together during the event. Even those who weren't originally expected to compete didn't feel left out.
After the race, participants were greeted with refreshments and awards from the Centre for the Development of Sports Communities at the HSE Corporate Academy. Third-place winners received HSE University’s branded hoodies, while second-place finishers won shopper bags and T-shirts. The first-place team was awarded with shopper bags and thermoses. Special guests of the raft regatta were the HSE ROWING CLUB, HSE University’s rowing champions. They were the winners of the regatta.
Oksana Derbasova
Head of the HSE ROWING CLUB and Captain of Raft 12, third-year student of Information Security pro-gramme
— Academic rowing and rafting are two completely different activities in terms of technique. At first, we had no idea how to steer a large boat that could change direction with just one stroke. However, after some time and thanks to the guidance of our instructors (for which we are very grateful!), something began to click, and then it was just a matter of practice. The raft regatta helped us become an even better-coordinated team.
Rafting has recently appeared at HSE University, and it is already showing promising results. Three months ago, the women’s and men’s national teams were formed under the auspices of XSPORT. At the last competition, the men’s team took silver, defeating 10 other teams. Nikita Zhuravlev, a graduate of HSE University and President of the Moscow Rafting Federation, provides training and support to the athletes.
HSE University graduate, President of Moscow Rafting Federation
— When we discussed a second regatta, rafting seemed like the obvious choice. First and foremost, I wanted to try something new. Secondly, HSE University now has every chance to become the main ambassador and guiding star of rafting among other Moscow universities. We see that interest and involvement in the sport is increasing among people, including members of the administration and management of HSE University. We aim to make rafting an official sport at our university, and RAFTDAY XSPORT can serve as a solid foundation for achieving that goal.
