Second edition of ‘Muziris Paddle’ witnesses participation of 100 paddlers from India and overseas
Muziris Paddle 2019, the two-day kayaking stand-up paddling (SUP) and sailing expedition organised by Jellyfish Watersports in partnership with Muziris Heritage Project (Kerala Tourism) successfully concluded on January 6, 2019. The event witnessed participation from over 100 paddlers from India and abroad, including Shilpika Gautam, world record holder of paddling the entire Ganga River, international paddler Jim Bush from Perth and other prominent people. The entire expedition was managed by Jellyfish Watersports and participants learnt the skills from expert trainers and river guides.
The event flagged off from the Kotturpuram Jetty in Kodungalloor district and concluded on at Ocean Blue International Marina at Bolgatty Island. Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) CEO Manesh Bhaskar inaugurated the closing ceremony. P M Noushad, managing director, Muziris Heritage Project and Kaushiq Kodithodi, founder, Jellyfish Watersports.
The kayakers covered an overall distance of 40 km traversing through rivers, backwaters and important Muziris destinations en route. Each day they covered an easy distance of 20 km with several strategic breaks for sightseeing and greeting locals. The organisers had also teamed up with Switzerland based stand-up paddling group waterwalh.ch and Cochin Bikers, a group of bicycle enthusiasts and members of Global Sailing Club. One of Kerala’s most incredible nature experiences, the event saw participation from paddling enthusiasts from five year old to sixty five year old.
Muziris, once a bustling seaport and the heart of the historic spice route used to be the key trade point between southern India and rest of the world. The region is dotted with numerous monuments of a bygone era that is more than 3,000 years old. Participants got an opportunity to visit the legendary Muziris heritage sites on the way. The key aim of the paddling event was to promote the usage of our rivers for recreational and create a connection to the river with youngsters and tourists.
“Muziris Paddle was a great way to experience Kerala through its water bodies and be part of the growing eco and responsible tourism initiatives. We stopped at various schools, met children and explained them the concept of kayaking and paddling sports. Kayak for a cause is helping in creating more awareness about the conservation of river and to retain its original beauty,” said Kodithodi.