Following the rise of surfing in the city, kayaking is having its moment with a number of enthusiasts heading to the East Coast Road to try their hand at the activity. For those who desire to test their skills in torrid waters, or interact with experts, it’s time to mark Ladakh on your travel calendars. Did you know that the region plays host to the world’s highest rafting and kayaking competition?
Inaugurated last year, this edition of the Ladakh Kayak Festival was held over two days (August 23 and 24) on the Indus River. This year, there were 52 participants, with 44 out of them from India. The section chosen for the event was on a class five rapid named Bollywood Boulevard. The river flows over huge boulders creating three meter waves and terrifying hydraulics that only the worlds’ finest kayakers can navigate.
With the competition taking place at an altitude of over 11,000 feet, oxygen levels were low, causing an additional challenge for the athletes. Foreign competitors in particular were surprised by the impact the conditions had on their breathing. Austrian kayaker Simon Kerschner who flew in just three days before the competition said, “I couldn’t breathe, that was so tough!’’
The competition had four segments: Super Sprint, Extreme Slalom, Boater X and Mass Boater Cross. Extreme Slalom tested the participant’s strength and technical abilities as they made their way across the river touching key markers. Indian kayaker Daman Singh led the charge with a beautiful display of both power and finesse, surfing the huge crashing waves and touching all the markers. Mass Boater X treated the audience to a world-class spectacle of chaos and excitement.
Adrenaline rush
They gazed in amazement as 50 kayakers raced head to head, down the enormous rapid. Boats collided and were tossed high into the air, while safety teams waited at the bottom to fish out the unlucky swimmers. The overall winner of the Ladakh Kayak Festival 2018 was Ashu Rawat from Rishikesh, who won a brand new kayak.
The competition was organised by Wet N Wild Explorations, a rafting company started by Chotak Tsering, a former kayaker. “As a proud Indian and Ladakhi, it is important for me to get the spot light of the world media on the Indus. This river has provided me and so many other Indians with work and life changing experiences,’’ said Chotak.
The event is open to professional kayakers aged 20 years and above, with at least three years of experience. Chotak is already planning next years’ event with interest coming from sponsors such as Red Bull, Sharkskin India and GO Pro.