WATER SPORTSAND

FACILITIES IN BULGARIA

Many Bulgarian athletes have contributed to the presentation of our country in the world.

Bulgaria is a country with a remarkable geographic location. The presence of beautiful rivers, lakes, as well as the seashore of the Black sea gives opportunities for practicing various water sports.

The history of water sports in Bulgaria remembers 18.05.1923, when it has been made in Varna the Bulgarian national association (BNMS). It’s members have decided, that they will work hardly of the development of all water sports in Bulgaria.

The first swimming lessons in Bulgaria date back 1.09.1879g. in Rousse. Trained are mostly children and men. Gradually it’s continued in other cities - Lom, Varna, Burgas and Sofia.

The first race is in September - 29, 1931. On this time are held the first Balkan Games. The first Bulgarian champion of the water jumps is George Gaydardzhiev. He won the first championships of Bulgaria in 1935, from the tower of 5 and 10 meters.

Photo: The Women's National team of Bulgaria in diving for the Universiade 1961 in Sofia. Left to right: Zlatka Georgieva, Liliana Zareva, Lubomir Mihailov (coach), Konstantina Tasheva and Violeta Georgieva

The diving has practiced in 19th century in Bulgaria, but at that time it hadn't competitive character.

Synchronized swimming in Bulgaria

The first demonstration of that sport takes place in 1960 with 8 swimmers, students (then it called artistic sport swimming). The first Bulgarian team "Academic“, is formed in Sofia from Bistra Dimitrova. She is one of the founders of this beautiful sport. Coach of the first national team for the period 1981-1992 is Dr. Dimitrova – she was a teacher, coach and brilliant expert.

In 1950 it was established the first social organization of rowing in Bulgaria – “ Republic devision of rowing and yachting”. In August 1955 Bulgaria was accepted as an associate member of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) .

In the same year it began the production of our boats. They made of Todor Plushchev who is a sailor by profession. The first competition of rowing is held in 1935 in Burgas, where women take participate. The first team approved in 1955 – 6 men. Eight years later in Moscow Magarita Sokolova is the nineth in the skiff.

The first medal is silver and it’s won in 1959 by an international regatta of Lilia Miloradova. After that the Bulgarian sportman won many medals and world titles over the years. One of the most famous names in this sport is Rumyana Neykova.

In 2002 and 2003 she won gold medals at the world championships in Seville and Milan, she became the only Bulgarian with two gold medals at the world championships in rowing. In the championship in 2002 Rumyana set a new world record in the skiff from 7:07 minutes.

The history of all types of water sports in Bulgaria is interesting, filled with many memorable events. In recent years, despite economic problems are built many sports centres.

Сoaches and teachers give impetus to many of our outstanding athletes in the world. Unfortunately, in the small towns and villages because of lack of means and bases it's difficult to practice water sports. But children travel to the close sities, where they can train.

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Sports swimming in Bulgaria started in 1931 as a separate discipline.Then in the swimming pool “East" in Sofia are held the Balkan Games in swimming with the participation of Bulgaria and Greece.The most famous Bulgarian swimmer - a women is Tanya Bogomilova – she is our only Olimpic champion of swimming (Seoul Olympic champion 1988 – won gold medal) and the most famous Bulgarian swimmer - men is Petar Stoychev (Ten World Cup winner in EF). - On July 23, 2011 Peter Stoychev became world champion in swimming, 25 km of open water swimming World Cup in Shanghai sports.

Petar Stoychev wins extreme SA sea swim race

Diving have their fans in Bulgaria and still won titles in previous years. Boyan Savov is a young hope of Bulgaria in diving.

This exotic sports - synchronized swimming did dates in Bulgaria since 1960. The first demonstration of the sport is held with 8 swimmers, students (then the synchronized swimming is called artistic sport swimming).

The team of Bulgaria's water polo can not boast of progress, but aspirations for bigger accomplishments do not diminish.

Bulgarian Black Sea coast offers more options. The bases for windsurfing, kitesurfing and catamaran are unique. Equipment is at a level suitable for both beginners and advanced. Teachers are experienced.

The first underwater fishing competitions in Bulgaria, is date from the late sixties. In 1971 start a international tournament for the prize "Silver amphora." Then the Bulgarian national team began regular appearances on a competition in abroad.

A forgotten in recent years sport in Bulgaria - water polo was revived again. The competitionsare hold by our coastal cities Varna and Burgas. The interest in water polo of the young generation is growing .

The teams veterans in Bulgaria (“CSKA" and "Loco") of past events began to collect more and more fans.

Bulgarian Sailing is a traditional discipline . The participation in

international competition has sown

it.

In September this year in Bourgas, one of the sea capitals, hosted the largest sailing race ever organized in Bulgaria - European Championship Olympic Class RS: X. Attended by about 200 representatives from 34 countries , and Bulgaria is presented by 7 athletes.

The attention of the Bulgarian Sailing Federation focuses more on children and youth sport. It's necessary to create good conditions to prepare to cover the Olympic quotas in 2012.

Desire and ambition of the younger generation of excellence in Bulgaria is increasingly growing. This requires priority of sports policy in Bulgaria. It will be find ways and means to realize these ambitions, which in turn will increase the prestige of the nation.