Taking in the thrill of a rapid course

Thusharagiri rafting event, part of Malabar river fete, from July 22 to 26

June 23, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:37 am IST - Kozhikode:

The file photo shows a rafting session in progress in the upper reaches of the Iruvanjhipuzha during last year’s Malabar River Festival.

The file photo shows a rafting session in progress in the upper reaches of the Iruvanjhipuzha during last year’s Malabar River Festival.

A rafting event, precursor to the Malabar River Festival, to be held from July 22 to 26 at Thusharagiri in the district, will start on Saturday. The Iruvanjhipuzha and the Chalipuzha, two of the best white waters in south India, where the festival will be held, are ready for the event with the area receiving good amount of monsoon showers, the organisers say. “We have made all arrangements to begin the rafting sessions from Saturday,” says V.D. Joseph of the Kerala Kayaking Academy.

The raft is ready and trainers from Madras Fun Tool, which provides technical assistance for the event, are at the venue, he says.

Activities

The adventure sport will see four to eight persons being carried in an inflated raft around 10 km down the stream through adventurous falls and risky torrents, assisted by expert paddlers. “Apart from experiencing the excitement of exhilarating rapids, it allows participants to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna on both banks of the river,” Mr. Joseph says.

A large number of people from different part of the country, including local sporting enthusiasts, had participated in the rafting event as part of the festival that comprises a national and international kayaking championship besides the rafting event.

Those interested may register for the event in advance with the organisers and pay the fee. “We are planning to offer a concession for students this time,” he says. The event was receiving a great response from different parts of the country, he adds.

A kayaking championship, with the participation of paddlers of international repute, will be the highlight of the festival. It is being jointly organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), the Kayaking Academy, and the Madras Fun Tools. Participants from more than 20 foreign countries including Russia, New Zealand, and Nepal have already registered for the championship.

Two-time world extreme kayaking champion Joe Morley from the United Kingdom and 2012 London Olympics finalist Mike Dawson from New Zealand will be among the contestant this time, said Manik Taneja of Madras Fun Tools. Details about the festival can be had on keralarafting.com. and kayaksession.com.

The phone numbers are: Jerry Mathew 94 00 05 67 53 (rafting), Manik Taneja 09740 067323 (kayaking), and V.D. Joseph 94476 37079 (Malabar River Festival).

The rafting event at Thusharagiri from July 22 will see the participation of adventure sports enthusiasts and extreme kayaking champions.

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