This International Women’s Day, women adventure junkies in city have an opportunity to walk the less trodden road. In keeping with this year’s theme — Pledge for Parity — members of Vijayawada chapter of the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI), in collaboration with Adventure Club of Andhra Pradesh, are creating a unique platform for women adventure junkies to do what most of them would yearn to do at least once in lifetime.
Remember the jaw-dropping rappelling feats of hero Prabhas in S. S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali ? Almost all of us watched them with bated breath.
“Marking the significant occasion, we are organising training sessions on rappelling, rock climbing and jamuring on Sunday to give the fairer sex an opportunity to confront their fears and learn through personal experience that they have the ability to conquer difficulties in life,” said N. Vishnuvardhan, secretary of YHAI, Vijayawada.
The YHAI members are pleasantly surprised at the impressive number of girls and young women calling to enrol names for the training session.
“Climbing is a discipline, a sport, a martial art and as far as I understand, the best way to get in touch with your inner child. The life of a climber is romantic, full of emotion and adventure,” says Mr. Vishnuvardhan, an adventurous junkie himself. His quest for exploration in life has taken him around a dozen countries. “I’m a globetrotter of lifetime,” he declares.
Sunday’s event is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The participants will assemble at Siddhartha Academy by 6.30 a.m.
“There is a hillock opposite the Academy. An orientation session, followed by a demo by experts in rappelling and then direct participation of the greenhorns comprises our programme,” informs Mr. Vishnuvardhan.
Safety concerns
Keeping safety concerns in mind, the organisers have roped in professional trainers. There is no strict or formal dress code but jeans teamed with T-shirts or shirts are preferred for such adventures. A nominal registration fee of Rs. 100 is being charged. “This is to maintain discipline and ensure quality crowd,” he explains.
“For centuries, we have been labelled as the weaker sex. Activities like this one are the right platforms to prove otherwise. I am super-excited about it and can’t wait to see myself moving down a cliff, sliding down a rope,” says an animated Lavanya, a student.
Her friend Manisha says she has an undying passion for adventure and Sunday’s activity would take her closer to what pleases her soul the most. The two girls have enrolled for participation.
“The best part of it is that it will bring the right people together, on the same platform. They can continue to sate their thirst for adventures by enrolling as YHAI members,” says Mr. Vishnuvardhan.
Enquiries for more details can be made by calling Mr. Vinsnuvardhan on 8008986000.
