Extreme Kayaking World Champion from New Zealand Sam Sutton will be a key attraction at the International Kayaking Championship to be held as part of the second Malabar River Festival.
The rafting events of the festival will begin on June 22 at Thusharagiri rapids in the district.
“Mr. Sutton will participate in the events and is expected to be present at the inaugural function of the Kayaking championship that begins on July 26,” said V.D. Joseph, one of the organisers.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will open the international event at 9.30 a.m. on July 26 at Pulikkayam.
The event is being jointly organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, and Kerala Kayaking Academy in association with the Madras Fun Tools.
Around 15 teams including teams from the USA, Italy, Korea, and China have already registered for the different competition events at the Kayaking championship.
Kayaking Sprint (individual), Boater Cross (group kayaking race, four at a time) Free style competition, and Mass Boater Cross (a marathon kayaking event with the participation of around 60 participants) are some competition events.
The inaugural and closing ceremony of the river festival, which is being held in the rapids of Chalippuzha and Iruvanjhipuzha, some of the main tributaries of the river Chaliyar, will be held at Pulikkayam.
According to Mr. Joseph, a competition event for beginners in Kayaking will be held at the Kuttiyadipuzha near Kariyathanpara on July 25. “Cultural programmes and an elephant safari will be organised for the visiting foreigners as part of the festival,” said Mr. Joseph, who maintained that the event was expected to give a place of its own for Malabar in the tourism map of the State.
The white-water rafting trips, which can have anyone above the age of 12 taking part in them, will begin on June 22 as part of the river festival.
The tickets for rafting can be booked at the DTPC offices in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.
“It can also be bought by contacting Madras Fun Tools founder Jacopo Nordera at ph: 91 9884814610,” said Mr. Joseph.
