Project RAFT G-O-A-L-S

Original Concept: Russians and Americans For Teamwork

No borders, no boundaries, just working together with common goals to share the rivers of the world in the ultimate team sport: river rafting, catarafting, andkayaks. Teaming up to tackle the most difficult rivers in the world. Promoting what should become the ultimate team sport (someday in the Olympics we hope!).

A Few of Our RAFTWEB Project GOALS

Continuing the tradition....

High-Level Goals of Project Whitewater Russia/USA

For World Peace

To promote international understanding and awareness of other peoples and nature.
To attempt FIRST DESCENTS with conditions, equipment, time, and personnel permitting.
To generate international goodwill and build relationships between distant peoples.
To demonstrate cooperative efforts on an international and multi-national level.
To build international bridges, friendships and demonstrate international teamwork and cooperation.
To promote a greater understanding of each other, especially for westerners to develop a greater appreciation of distant peoples and country.
To accomplish and complete a very unique endeavor.
To challenge great rivers of an unknown land together.
To reach out to ancient and isolated cultures where we may go and make first contact and friendships with people who may never have seen Westerners or Americans...
To enable a number or citizens of the former Soviet Republics on a river trip, especially many who would never have the opportunity nor affordability to undertake such an adventure which our team often enjoys and would like to share . . .
To open the door for more "skilled" boaters to do the "Rivers of an Unknown Land".
To continue in the Spirit of Project RAFT: Russians and Americans For Teamwork!

For the Group

To accomplish several FIRST AMERICAN DESCENTS on Rivers in an Unknown Land.
To grow together in common challenges on some of the most breathtaking and scenic rivers on Earth.
To do what few have the opportunity to do.
To share and grow from a unique, fun, and memorable experience with some of the best boaters in the world!
To explore places rarely seen.
To have a great time and return all safely.
To endeavor together in a common purpose with a common love of the rivers and the outdoors.
To make long-lasting international friendships.
To respect the power and dangers of jouneying on great whitewater class V rivers.
To chart and document some of the great unknown rivers of the world.
This is not a one shot attempt, but a concerted effort to do many rivers in the former Soviet Republics over the next several years.
To attempt first descents once we feel comfortable with Class V boating in Russia.
To help "Vlad" with his future authorative guidebook "Rivers of an Unknown Land".

Personal Goals

To work with some of the worlds' best boaters and grow from their experience.
To go on difficult and rarely done rivers successfully.
To do extreme boating on an international scale in one of the last, great, most remote whitewater regions of the world!
To be self-contained and self sufficient in totally isolated rivers where wildlife still greatly outnumbers people.
To return safely with incredible memories and experiences.
To do my personal best and contribute to the good of the group.
To be a contributing part of an unusual and unique series of expeditions...
To explore and pioneer...
Because there are great rivers to tackle.
Not to leave our mark, but to bring back lifelong memories.

Other Goals

To do the uncommon and complete a unique adventure.
To collect information for future journeys.
To promote environmental awareness and preservation of natural resources.
To promote Conservation & Ecology.
Dedication to the sport of whitewater boating, rafting and kayaking.
Not to upset the local commercial rafting industry emerging in the former Soviet republics, but to help publicize and support them. Much of the existing fledgling industry caters to mainly foreignors, but we hope that local people will develop further interest.
Exploration and to gain experience for future trips.
Preparation for future First Descents!