White water rafting now in Goa

 

Goa tourism development corporation GTDC has floated a tender for empanelment of contractors to start the activity.The process for starting white water rafting was initiated two years ago after Goa forest development corporation GFDC allowed a promoter to conduct trial runs on the Surla tributary and Mhadei river.After testing the safety and feasibility aspects, the exercise was declared successful for commencing the activity in the hinterland. “But the proposal was held up due to some factors,” GTDC source said.

The feasibility exercise was carried out on the 18-km stretch of Surla-Mhadei. “The Surla tributary and Mhadei river stretch has 35 rapids and holds good potential for white water rafting,” a source said.The white rafting location is around 15 kms away from the Valpoi town.

The GTDC is considering of interlinking this activity with other attractions in Sattari especially during monsoon.Since the river is in full flow till about October and the water sport will be a seasonal activity.The operator is expected to have expertise on a wide-ranging aspects of white water rafting, including the river course, grade of rapids, location of the hazards and access to hospital and evacuation points.Nearest white water rafting available for tourists in Goa is in the nearby Dandeli area of Karnataka.

via White water rafting in Goa soon – Times Of India.

Adventure sports galore in “Kashmir Festival” from May 13

As a major initiative to promote Tourism in Kashmir Valley the Union Minister Tourism Shri K. Chiranjeevi announced here today that “Kashmir Festival 2013” will be held for a fortnight from May 13th to May 29th at different places in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Minister said his Ministry is providing financial support for this. The Festival will be held in Sringar, Pahalgam, Yousmarg, Manasbal, Doodhpathri, Gulmarg, Lolab Valley and Sonmarg and will include activities such as Shikara Races, Cycle Races, Canoeing, River Rafting, Para Gliding, Painting, Swimming Competition, Horse Races etc. The Festival will also showcase culture of Jammu & Kashmir through performances by the cultural troupes of the State.

For successful organization of the Festival, the Ministry of Tourism is also coordinating with other Ministries including Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation for outlining the concessional fares / tour package, Ministry of Culture for organizing cultural events through different cultural troupes and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for undertaking sports activities such as Boat Race and other adventure sports like paragliding, horse race etc.

The local service providers such as hoteliers, Guest House Owners including House Boats of Kashmir Division have already offered discount of 20-30% as a special case for the tour packages/tourists during the forthcoming tourist season.

via Kashmir Festival From May 13 – Khabar24.com:: India News.

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Offroaders: Crafting their own path

For most of us, driving on tarmac is all we can handle. Off-roading, however, is about creating roads where none exist — giving new meaning to the old phrase ‘The road less travelled’. On Saturday, leading and emerging motorsport clubs of north India took part in Mahindra Uncaged, the extreme off-road challenge held at Dera Bassi, organised by Team Chandigarh Adventure Sports (TCAS) in collaboration with InCarNation Sports.

A total of 16 teams with 64 competitors from north India competed in the event. The competitors took on demanding off-road challenges — ditches, slush, steep hill climbs, a shallow pond and finally the adventure trail — spread over 20 acres. “The whole set up cost about R15 lakh,” said Nikhil Jaspal, experienced rallyist and one of the organisers. “The cars can cost anywhere between a few lakhs to R10 lakh. Further enhancements to prepare the cars for off-roading will also burn a hole in one’s pocket,” he added, verifying that it most certainly isn’t a cheap thrill, literally.

When off-roaders set out, they hope for the best but prepare for the worst. “All challenges here today are designed to hone specific techniques. When we are off-roading, we are in places that are miles away from any form of civilization. If and when we get stuck, we need to be able to help ourselves out,” added Jaspal.

Sanjiv Singh, team leader of Terrain Tigers from Gurgaon has been coming to Chandigarh for Mahindra Uncaged for the past two years and has been off-roading for eight.

With close to 700 members, one wonders if any of them are women, to which Singh says, “About 35% of our members are women and they are more than eager to challenge the notion that off-roading isn’t a popular sport for women.”

He also spoke about their recent win in the SJOBA Sub-Himalayan Rally, where his team wrested the trophy from team Thunderbolt. “It was the first time in the past decade that anyone had taken over team Thunderbolt,” he adds proudly. And where did this love for the extreme sport arise?

“In my case it happened because I was an army kid and grew up surrounded by jeeps, travelling to offbeat destinations,” says he.

Further plans for rallyists include the Mughal Rally, to be organised in Kashmir at the end of June, Raid-de-Himalaya and Desert Storm, two of the most famous off-roading events organised in India.

via Crafting their own path – Hindustan Times.

Recommended links:  http://www.yespunjab.com/sports-news/item/21049-leading-motorsport-clubs-of-north-india-compete-at-mahindra-uncaged-the-extreme-offroad-action-in-punjab

Bull race or Indian way of surf.. Check it out..

Is it a surf festival or bull contest??? This summer, you’re unlikely to find anything more exotic than the Maramadi bull surfing festival, which is held post-harvest each August in India’s rural Kerala region. A football-size rice paddy outside the host village is chosen and flooded until the water stands about ankle deep. Then teams of three—two handlers and a surfer—line up with their yoked bull pair to see who can race across the quagmire the best. Handlers drive and guide the bulls along the length of field while the surfer is tasked with remaining upright in their wake. Often, the surfing member of the trio will begin by holding a rope and then move to holding a tail, and this is when the real shredding begins. Multiple awards are bestowed, with different categories for speed and style. And it’s serious fun, with teams putting in hours training their bulls and paying a 10,000-rupee fee for the chance to compete. Quite a bit of grooming and horn polishing goes into the steeds, too, so they look their best before jumping in the mud.

The Maramadi festival is held post-harvest in the villages of the rural Kerala region of India each year. Image by Maramadi

The race takes place on one day in August and lasts from noon until dusk. Image by WikiCommons

Three people with two yoked bulls form a team. About 30 teams participate in each festival. Image by Rekla Race, Theni

Often participates begin by holding a rope and move to holding a tail, which is when the real surfing begins. Image by Rekla Race, Theni

The bull pair is set off charging and splashing across a flooded rice paddy about the size of a football field. Image by Rekla Race, Theni

The field is soaked past saturation until the water on top is about ankle deep. Image by Dharohar Vacations & Holidays Pvt Ltd

Before they get muddy, the bulls are neatly groomed, their horns polished and sometimes decorated. Image by Dharohar Vacations & Holidays Pvt Ltd

It costs each team 10,000 rupees, nearly $200, to enter the race. Image by Kauthukam

via Indian ‘surfing festival’ gives new meaning to the term.

Also check-

http://blog.chillisauce.co.uk/no-bull-surfing-with-animals-at-the-maramadi-festival/

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India’s first ever surf contest set for Kovalam Beach

The first official surfing competition in India will take place at Kovalam Beach, Kerala, between May 3rd-5th.

The Spice Coast Open 2013 is India’s inaugural surf contest. The important event will take place in Kerala, a region with some of the best beaches in the country. More than 150 surfers are expected to compete.

Kovalam Beach, with its golden sands and vast stretch of water, is one of the best surf spots in India. Around May, just before the onset of monsoons, surfing gets very special conditions.

The Spice Coast Open 2013 is being held by the Surfing Federation of India and will feature surfing and standup paddleboarding competitions.

The event will have ISA judges and ranking system will be introduced for the first time in the largest democracy of the planet. Also, workshops and introductory classes are planned.

The Surfing Federation of India was established in 2011 by a group of Indian surfers from the Mantra Surf Club. The country offers an impressive 7000 kilometers (4349 miles) of coastline and waves to be explored

via India’s first ever surf contest set for Kovalam Beach.

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