Kayakers start training for the 4-day Malabar River Festival from July 30

The much-awaited Malabar River Festival is gearing up to give the right dose of adrenaline rush to freshwater kayaking enthusiasts from July 30 to September 2. Preparations for the international event are in their final phase, and kayakers from other countries have begun training to test the waters. The 12th edition of the kayaking fest is jointly organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Council, District Administration and the local bodies with the technical support of the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association.

The event, the country’s grandest kayaking fest, will be held at Kodanchery Pulikayyam and Pulloorampara Illanthukadavu. The famous kayakers in the international arena have been invited for the festival, says Binu Kuriakose, CEO of Adventure Tourism. Giovanni Giorgi of Italy was the first international kayaker to arrive for the competition and start training. Many kayakers are honing their skills on the scenic Iruvanjipuzha and Chalipuzha rivers in the Kodanchery and Thiruvampady panchayats. 

International and national competitors would vie for honours in categories such as kayak slalom, boater cross, downriver race and super final extreme race in the four-day event. The fastest kayakers would be crowned ‘Rapid Raja’ and ‘Rapid Rani’.