MALABAR RIVER FESTIVAL 2018

“When it rains, it pours,” goes the old adage. Nowhere is this more accurate than in the jungles of Southern India. When the monsoons come, they bring a deluge of water, flooding the area with life and opportunity. In the small town of Kodenchery, the flooded rivers have created opportunity in an unexpected form: the Malabar River Festival. Currently the largest kayaking festival in Asia, the sixth edition was bigger, better, and more international than ever before. But the Malabar River Festival is about more than a title and a $20,000 cash prize; it is about bringing people together to create new life and potential for Asia’s future.

Words by Anna Bruno

Four brightly colored kayaks perched atop the start ramp, water from the incessant rains dripping off paddler’s helmets as they awaited the countdown. “Anytime in the next ten seconds,” counseled Manik Taneja in his softly accented English. At the word, “Go,” all four paddlers pushed off simultaneously, beginning the battle to be first off the ramp and into the water. On shore, hundreds of umbrellas swiveled at once as their owners turned to follow the action, watching, cheering and encouraging the kayakers racing their way downstream until all four blue, green, and white bibs had passed under the RedBull-branded finish banner. “WHEN THE MONSOONS COME, SO DOES THE WATER. FROM JUNE TO AUGUST, “GOD OWN COUNTRY, “ AS THE REGION IS KNOWN, HOSTS A WEALTH OF WHITEWATER JUST BEGINNING TO…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Winter 2018

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