Kerala is known as God's Own Country and the land of Backwaters, but now with this yearly Kayaking championship series, this small South Indian state is getting to be known as the land of whitewater rivers also. The snaps here are through the Go Pro eyes of Nick Troutman, the Freestyle World champion Kayaker, and the one who has done many of the life-threatening extreme first-time river Descents like Vere Cruz Mexico, Niagra Gorge etc.
Such an extreme watersport need such an extreme image processor like Go pro which will be always up to the mark with the demanding situations. Nick seems always keeping his GoPro attached on his Shread Ready Full-faced Custom painted stylish kayaking helmet, to tell the world about his Kayaking adventures, indeed Extreme adventures.
A prelude to this post. Malabar river fest promos started floating across social media and I badly wanted to go, but being caught up here in Bangalore decided to source some materials for a couple of blog articles, as its one of the rare and important adventure sports event in Kerala. One of the Biggest whitewater kayaking championship and River festival of Asia, with a whopping prize money of $2000 for the best Kayaker. They call him the Rapid Raja, and the women Kayaker Rapid Rani. In fact right now its the biggest River Kayaking Fest of Asia itself.
While digging through Insta and FB, came across some awesome live snaps right from the Go Pro of one of the Greatest Champions of Kayaking, Nickolas Troutman, who was also paddling in the event. Had a chat and he was ok with sharing the snaps with reference to his social media profiles as the source. So naturally, this post is more about Nick Troutman the kayaking champion, than the River Festival.
Nick Troutman Exploring The Whitewaters of Kerala - Malabar River Fest
Seems Nick is really enjoying the whitewater Rapids here in Kerala, the smallest southern state of India. Monsoon water-rich river named Chalipuzha is with so many waves and rocks, friendly river rocks in the terms of a Kayaker.
Only a few years since the river fest (MRF) has started. International Kayaking champions like Nick deciding to board on has given this smaller region of India a lot of attention in the International Kayaking community.
About Nick Troutman
Nationale of Canada, Nicholas Troutman, started getting the taste of Kayaking in his 13s. Known for Kayaking, but Nick is also a Photographer, Film Producer, and Philanthropist. His extreme passion towards the rivers, kayaking, and an adventurous life itself has brought him lots of recognition in the Kayaking world.
A few of Nick's Achievements in Kayaking
World Freestyle Kayaking champion, 2007 North American champion and Bronze medalist in the world championship, Many times Canadian National champion, Playboat champion of 2013 etc are a few of them. It's in Nic's name the world record of First complete descent of Rio Alseseca, Vera Cruz Mexico. He did descent of the Niagara Gorge. Nick does kayaking training to the young Kayakers, the Keener program on Ottawa river.
The Pink bow and the Black Paddle. Nick Troutman in his Jackson Kayak on the watch of his Go Pro.
The River Kayaks and the Bamboos, Nick and the fellow Kayakers paddling through the river course of Kerala. Was this a Rallying event or a trial run, not sure. The monsoon rains made the river rich with lots of whitewater features and made it well and good enough to host the kayaking event.
Kayakers - the World Champion and the Budding Indian Champion. Nick and Manish.
For the Indian kayaking community, the event should have provided lots of invaluable experience by letting them kayak along with the greatest of and the best from the International Kayaking world. Nick Troutman(Freestyle Rank 2 MRF18), Brandan Orton, Vavra, Kalob Grady, Dane Jackson(Freestyle Rank 1 MRF18), Mike Dawson (Rapid Rajah MRF18), Tyler Bradt, Serrasolses Brothers, Nicole, Nouria Newman (Rapid Rani MRF18), Martina Wegman, Olaf Obsommer, Adrian, Mattern, Genevive Royer, Ashu Rawat, Manish Rawat, Rishi Rana, Amit Magar - The line up MRF18 was the best happened yet for this Kayaking event.
Extreme Waters, Extreme Sports, Extreme Action - Go Pro'ed
Nick Troutman in action, maybe from the action cam of a fellow Kayaker. Looks like real hard fight through the course of the river. Monsoon showers were well enough to bring up the water levels of this river even up to 5 feet higher in a small span of time between the Kayaking events. Even the experienced champions met with a few surprises.
Champions of the Kayaking world In the Monsoon Rains of Kerala.
Nick along with Dane Jackson, Bren Orton, Adrian and Kalob Grady.
The above Youtube video can tell a lot about Nick Troutman, The river descents, Playboating, creek kayaking, many of his skills are evident in that.
Being in the River they support Nick, and on Land Nick supports them! Nick Troutman with his paddle and Jackson Kayak through the rain wet village ways of Kerala. Maybe he is through one of the Craziest kayaking events he had yet.
Things may be entirely different in this part of the world, as a Kayaker the amenities he gets, the food he tastes, the place he stays and the people around, everything a new experience. Hope the people of Calicut, Kerala hosted it well and was super nice to these Guests from the other part of the world.
This water sport is relatively new to the people here in Kerala, but obviously is getting popular and the Kayaking community of India is in its growth path for sure.
Something you can never avoid while exploring India - A Rickshaw ride.
That's an awesome Go Pro moment for the travel memories, and maybe the first time for the Rikshaw guy to carry a Kayak tied atop.
Kerala is rich with so many rivers, many of them rich in Whitewater river features due to the steep landscapes. Lot many waterfalls, even the one often called as Niagra of India - the largest Kerala waterfalls of Athirapally, along with many other rivers and falls, maybe the potential for this water sport is large here in Kerala. The opportunities still to be explored and found. Hope the International Kayaking community is Keen to explore God's Own Country even more. Champions of the Kayaking World, do Come back and have fun here in the lap of nature.
Thanks to Nick Troutman.
Have Your Feelings And Thoughts Expressed Here As Comments.More information if you have any about this post, suggestions to improve Kerala blog pixel-shots,criticism etc are welcome except spamming.
Ohh That's Awesome i want enjoying the whitewater Rapids in Kerala where is this Place in Kerala
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