MY ARTICLE ON RAFTING & KAYAKING

ARTICLE ON RAFTING FOR A TRAVEL MAGAZINE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rafting - Term used to describe the way in which some species of marine larvae can become "trapped" in the surface tension of the water and clump together, resulting in mortalities. An air current provided across the water is usually sufficient to eliminate the problem. Otherwise, it is best of the water sports in offering. The adventurers define rafting as "Navigating on the river on inflatable self-bailing raft". Well it could be said that the first rafting sessions were primitive tools of crossing over the river without getting wet.

"This is the first time I felt so much adrenalin run in my veins, the river which was so beautiful was humble enough to handle our rafts with care. Was scared like a puppy before we started but now it's a different feeling…. well the best part is if I can do it any one can" said the exited Ramaa Rao (doesn't know how to swim) a Technical Writer after her first ride on Cauvery river in Dubare. The other software engineer Ajith said after his rafting ride in Bheemeshwari said "this is really good but not as expected after watching so much grade VI rafting on TV. But if this is grade II then the best way I can enjoy a grade VI is only on TV". Both these rafters did not know how to swim!!!

Karnataka the forerunner when it comes to innovations is the only place in south India to offer rafting. There are four places situated in different rivers with different grades of rafting. John Polad, a British citizen started rafting December 1999 four years back in Kali River. From then on until today, the number of people who raft has increased steadily and reached 1000 per month in our state. The rapids vary from I to III where I being the easiest and III being the hardest. In India, the highest grade is around VI in river Ganga. Rafting is on offering in four different rivers in Karnataka.

Cauvery River in Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary in Bheemeshwari where the water is controlled by KRS and is grade I. This is the closest destination to Bangalore it lies 100 kilometers away in the green and clean campus of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Bheemeshwari. The 14 kilometers stretch takes about two hours to complete and is enjoyed by everyone. The rafting here is seasonal from June to December depending on the dam controlled water and rains.

Cauvery river in Dubare, Coorg Wildlife Sanctuary which is purely flood water and is another 14 kilometers stretch on grade I and II rapids. This lies 200 kilometers from Bangalore in Dubare Jungle Lodges and Resorts. The rafting here is seasonal from June to December depending on the amount of rainfall.

Dandeli wild life sanctuary offers Kali river stretch for 14 kilometers and is operational throughout the year (Thanks to power generating dams after Supa Dam). Situated 450 kilometers away from Bangalore offers the best rapids (II to III) and waters.

Fourth and the final spot for rafting is Seeta River, which is seasonal is based in Someshwara Wild Life Sanctury in Aagumbe. Even this runs 14 kilometers and is around 350 Kilometers from Bangalore. The river boasts of grade III rapids and is purely floodwater controlled.

Rafting needs few but essential equipment like Life jackets, Helmets, Paddles, Throw bags, first aid and rescue kits. Walkie-talkie and rescue kayaks are added advantages for increased safety.

Mr. Vinay Luthra, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges and resorts (who is the patron of Rafting and Kyaking in Karnataka said "we believe in providing outdoors to our clients and not just hotel facility. In Dandeli with controlled release of water (Supa Dam) for power generation with nice rapids was ideal for water sports. It was our way of giving value added service to customers and after we started rafting the loss making Dandeli turned into profit generating property. We started rafting this year in Seeta River and Cauvery River in Dubare. We are planning to start rafting on Varahi river which enjoys the continues flow of water for power generation.

Ashok Kumar, Director, Ozone India who is a big patron of the sport said "We operate in Cauvery Fishing Camp in Bheemeshwari for Jungle Lodges and we are planning to start operations in Periar River, Kerala and would come out with a package soon. In next season (June to October) we are starting in Coorg in Cauvery and other rivers".

John Pollard, British citizen who runs Southern River Adventure and started the commercial rafting operation in Karnataka observed that "when it started no idea, how it would be received in south India but with the proactive support of Jungle Lodges the rafters have increased by five folds. People were scared initially, with non-swimmers being encouraged and the minimum age reduced to 12 it has definitely increased confidence and participation". He also was proud of the professionally run set up and one of the safest spots in Asia.

The cost of each rafting expedition varies from 1200 to 450 and please contact the offices below for the time and booking of your rafting schedules.

Jungle Lodges and Resorts - 5597024/25/21
Ashok Kumar, Ozone India - 3561871/72
John Pollard, Southern River Adventure - 94481 34379


KAYAKING

Do you remember the cycling days when we had wild learning days trying to balance the cycle on two wheels with foot on the paddles and hand on the bars? Kayaking is very similar where balance plays an important role. Here you do have a paddle replacing the cycle bar, have cosy seating with foot stretched in yoga posture. Problem remains the same balance; even a slight miscalculated movement can turn you upside down with no easy way to free your neither foot nor air to breathe. Welcome to the world of kayaking!!

Do not panic and take a decision of never kayaking. With instructors of 30 years cumulative experience today even, a non-swimmer can kayak with ease. Its extra fun, personal and easier compared to any down current water sport. It gives you your space and the better communication with the kayak better the ride on the river. If you like driving a two-wheeler in a country road with cold breeze and fresh air definitely try out kayaking.

Kayaks are considered the elite of the river-running craft: they are more versatile, more manoeuvrable and more fun than rafts. These small, closed, keel less boats, sometimes called canoes, were developed over thousands of years by our ancestors to cross the rivers without getting wet and used many materials including wood, animal skin etc. There are different materials used for making kayaks, which include hard-shell, foldable and inflatable rubber. It was a Scotsman, John MacGregor, who in the 1860's was responsible for recreational kayaking in the form we know it today. He adapted the native designs and built decked Kayaks that had sails as well as paddles, and he founded the Canoe club.

Ashok Kumar, Director, Ozone India says "We also run inflatable and white water kayaks in above-mentioned properties. We are already doing commercial operations in Cauvery. We are soon introducing two men inflatable kayaks in Cauvery".

R Y Shridhar the Chief of operations for Cauvery Fishing Camp just wanted to say, "hit the river shoot the rapids" while talking about his personal kayaking experience. Munikrishna a hard core adventure enthusiast who has been kayaking for last two and half years said "Kayak ride is all about balance and the way you handle the kayak. Its like your friend if you understand and follow the rule and if you are not it sure will make you drink lots of water!!"

Sundar Raj, Manager at CFC Bheemeshwari said "with introduction of water sports like Kayaking and rafting it has increased our business and gives our clients a varied rainbow of activities. We also have observed that poaching and other illegal activities are controlled with increased sighting of such activities and proper actions against the criminals".

With the vegetarian, crocodiles in Bheemeshwari trying my kayaking skills gave a shocking revelation. I was too clumsy to kayak because ever time I lifted the paddle to push the water my body leaned backwards a little and I toppled many times just to get the balance right. Now the only thing saved me was the twenty-minute safety training before the start of any expedition. Yes, I admit that I gave up kayaking just over 20 minutes and 10 meters distance!!

If this is not enough a single wrong movement like leaning back or front can easily tilt you upside down and if you don't want to drown in water you have around 30 seconds to get your foot out from the sinking kayak. Thanks to the inflatable kayaks now, it is not such a nightmare you can do some minimal adjustment, which could have toppled you over in a white water kayak.

The cost of each kayaking expedition varies depending on venue and place. Please contact the offices below for the time and booking of your rafting schedules.
Jungle Lodges and Resorts - 5597024/25/21
Ashok Kumar, Ozone India - 3561871/72