The vast expanse of the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) backwater at Blue Lagoon in Hundawadi village, about 20 km from here, has turned into an adventure zone.
People are heading to the picturesque spot to experience some adrenaline rush as water sports as part of Dasara adventure sports are being conducted there.
According to the organisers, people, mostly youth, are enjoying jet skiing, speedboat rides, water surfing, banana boat ride, kayaking, wind surfing, paddling and rappelling.
General Thimmaiah National Adventure Academy, which comes under the Department of Youth Services and Sports, is conducting Dasara adventure sports activities here from October 5 to 10.
Chief coordinator of the academy Manjunath M.R. told The Hindu that the response for water sports was improving. “We hope to see a good crowd on the remaining days. There was a large turnout on Sunday,” he said.
The organisers had earlier announced that water sports will also be conducted at Varuna lake on T. Narsipur Road — the venue of the events in the last two years. However, the venue was cancelled owing to various reasons and water sports are available only at Hundawadi now.
Experienced volunteers of the academy are helping visitors enjoy the thrilling rides in the Cauvery. Two jet skis, two speed boats and three banana boats are among the equipment made available for the rides. The organisers, however, put off aquatic parasailing owing to technical reasons.
Ticket counter
Mr. Manjunath said a ticket counter had been opened near the Karnataka Engineering Research Station at Krishnaraja Sagar and transportation was available from there. The drive from Santhemala at KRS to Blue Lagoon (Aramane Thittu) takes about 10 minutes.
Water sports are conducted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2.15 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare, who is the deputy special officer for Dasara sports, told The Hindu that the backwater was identified for water sports to add more thrill to the activities as the area was huge and the reservoir was also full.
Gold ticket costing Rs. 2,000 offers a package of adventure rides — jet ski (single), speedboat ride (five-seat boat), water surfing/bumper ride, banana boat ride, kayaking, paddling and rope courses (six elements). Silver ticket costing Rs. 1,000 offers jet ski (double), speedboat (five-seat boat), banana boat ride, kayaking, paddling and rope courses (six elements).
Tickets for individual rides costs Rs. 100 to Rs. 400.
Terrestrial sports
Among terrestrial sports, all rope courses — “jumaring”, rappelling, bachar ladder, commando walk, wall climbing and zip line — can be enjoyed by paying Rs. 250.
Barring wall climbing, other terrestrial sports are conducted at Dr. Rajkumar Park, near Hardinge Circle here, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2.15 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Wall climbing is conducted at Chamundi Vihar Stadium from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
For details, call 9480987671, 9480987672 or 9480987631.
