Malabar River Festival, more than a competition

The gods of rain have decidedly been over generous this monsoon season and the rivers of Kerala are all set to host the Malabar River Festival! The boys are have been paddling hard to utilize the full potential of the whitewater that Chalipuzha and Iruvanjipuzha rivers have to offer to the race. The levels are constantly changing and mostly high setting the stage for some great times out there.

We have more or less defined the race courses and the events. Behind the scenes, the sponsors have been working hard as well and their names will be revealed before the 10^th of August. This is the first time an event of this nature is being held in this part of the world and this sport has captured the imagination of the local community of the Malabar Coast. “Kayak” is the new word that has found its way in any chai conversation on the roads of Kodenchery and surroundings. Keralities have fallen in love and the kayakers have been getting a lot of attention from the media and are being treated like celebrities. It is heartening and amazing to see that that wherever we travel, from one canyon to the next gorge the locals pointing to the kayaks strapped on top of the vehicle screaming « kayak, kayak!! » This is one party that you don’t want to miss.

Athletes in the open category will challenge themselves in an individual Sprint race. The top finishers in the sprint will compete in the final event the Boatercross, to see who will be proclaimed as the “Rapid Raja”. The organizers are also planning to have a competition for beginners. Furthermore a separate category for female paddlers is confirmed along with some surprise fun races.

Major scouting is happening in the region, and many new rapids that are waiting for a first descent have been identified. Come, paddle and explore with us!

Jacopo Nordera and Manik Taneja