Nipah-free Kozhikode to host world kayaking championship

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Having freed itself from the clutches of the deadly Nipah virus, Kozhikode district and the state tourism department will now be sending out a message to aspiring travellers world over that it is safe to visit 'God's Own Country', through a world kayak championship to be held from July 18 to 22.

As many as 25 teams representing around 20 countries and comprising world champions, Olympians and Redbull athletes, will be taking part in the 'Malabar World Kayak Championship-2018', being organized in the state for the first time, at Thusharagiri, Kozhikode, along with the sixth edition of the Malabar River Festival.

From now on, the Malabar River Festival will be the venue for this world kayaking championship pegged to be Asia's top whitewater kayaking destination, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said. "We will have participants from countries like Germany, Italy, France, Spain, England, Scotland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Canada, among others. The championship will allay all fears about Nipah virus and put Kerala tourism back on track," he added.

The star participants include French Olympic team member and current world champion Nouria Newman, 2015 world champion from Spain Gerd Serrasolses, American freestyle team member and Redbull athlete Dane Jackson and Canada freestyle team member Nick Troutman. The event will be offering a prize money worth Rs 15 lakh.

"The event is being organized in accordance with promotion of adventure tourism as envisaged in the state's new tourism policy. It will be organized in a much bigger way under the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) from next year," the minister said.

Besides the world kayaking championship, the five-day event will feature popular and challenging events from earlier editions of Malabar River Festival like extreme race, boater cross and giant slalom. Madras Fun Tools, in association with Kozhikode district tourism promotion council, will also be arranging a host of events, including whitewater rafting, kayak training, SUP Yoga sessions, local slalom competition and adventure movie night.