A banya championship was held in the Polotsk district

Fans of winter extreme sports gathered for a banya championship in the Polotsk district. Having tested themselves with steam, snow, and water, participants from ten teams received a powerful boost of vigor and good mood.

“To wash in the banya is to be born anew. When you steam, you don't get old,” says folk wisdom. Following this, fans of a healthy lifestyle responded to the call of the Polotsk District Executive Committee to spend their weekend on the territory of the peasant farm "Kanoshi-agro," located in a picturesque area on the shore of a beautiful lake.

– We have been operating as an agro-estate for the first year and plan to develop the sports and wellness direction. We already host fans of hunting and fishing, organize Epiphany bathing, and in the summer, we will build a tennis court, volleyball, and children's playgrounds. We can offer Nordic walking. The banya championship also fits into our plans, – said Anatoly Redko, Deputy Head of the Peasant Farm.

The hosts provided the venue for the competition free of charge. They heated the banya, prepared tea, fish soup, and delicious shashlik from fresh lamb, and organized a cultural and entertainment program for the spectators.

Men and women over 18 years of age with a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications for physical exertion were allowed to participate in the challenges. To avoid accidents, it was decided to limit the time in the steam room to 15 minutes. The judging was entrusted to the coaches and instructors of the Polotsk Children and Youth Sports School. They carefully monitored the process and awarded points, based on which the winner was determined.

– This year, we have made the evaluation criteria more complex. We asked participants to answer questions in a thematic quiz and also took into account their psycho-emotional state. Additional points were awarded to those who successfully passed the intellectual competition and demonstrated vigor, optimism, and a sense of humor at all stages, – explained Sergey Gurchonok, Head of the Judging Panel.

The temperature in the steam room reached 120-130 degrees Celsius. Every 30 seconds, the bath judges added steam by pouring water on the hot stones, strictly monitoring who used the broom and how. Then, the participants ran out into the fresh air, where the temperature was minus 12 degrees that day, rubbed themselves with snow, and plunged into an icy hole in the ice. The 67-year-old coach of the Children's and Youth Sports School, Vyacheslav Sysoev, went through all these procedures three times, encouraging the youth by his personal example.

Among the women, the oldest participant was pensioner Valentina Rabchenok from Vetrino, and the youngest was 19-year-old student Polina Bagrets from the College of Chemical Technology. Her teammate, physical education teacher Boris Krivko, was recognized as the winner among men in the individual competition.

– It's great that such competitions were held. I've been hardening myself for 10 years: I can swim in a 25-degree frost and feel great. I advise everyone to try it. Of course, you have to overcome yourself the first time, but what a powerful spiritual uplift you feel afterwards! – shared Boris Krivko his impressions.

Among the women who love strong steam, the judges singled out Natalia Volkova, an employee of the Polotsk Dairy Plant. Among the teams, the first place was awarded to the enterprise "Polotskvodokanal," the second to the dairy plant, and the third to the Vetrino rural council.

The title "Most Resilient Steamer" was awarded to Alexey Grebnev from the Minsk region. Together with Anastasia Matveenko, he represented military unit 1463. The organizers presented a cake with the inscription "Polotsk Baths-2016" to guests who came to the championship for the first time. All winners received prizes and honorary diplomas. Next year, the hosts of KFH "Kanoshi-agro" are ready to host the tournament again and will make every effort to make it even more interesting.

Larisa Malashenya, Vitebskiye Vesti. Photos by Valentina Vlasenko.