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Turkey,
with its rich natural resources and hundreds of rivers, provides
great opportunities for water sports like rafting, canoeing
and water-skiing, while always respecting the cultural, historical
and environmental qualities of the country. The most famous
is the River Coruh, renowned internationally as one of the
fastest flowing in the world, and venue of the 4th World
Watersports Championships in 1993 which saw 300 competitors
from 28 countries.
The Dalaman River, whose ancient name was Indos, begins
in the Kocas Mountain near Dirmil and lies between Marmaris
and Fethiye. The total length of the river is 229 km. Increased by branches
from the Goktepe and Yaylacik Mountains of West Toros (Taurus),
it flows through a narrow and deep valley and reaches the
sea 8km south of Ortaca.
The rafting points can be easily reached from Marmaris,
Dalyan, Fethiye and Turunc and from Dalaman airport. The
water level of the river, in which rafting is possible throughout
the year, rises the most in September and October. As flowing
water forms small falls, there are passes among the course,
which divert the river into two separate branches over the
Akkopru village. The upper branch is class 5 and the lower
is class 3 - 4. Once reaching Akkopru, the flow rate of the
river increases and class becomes higher.
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