When Manik Taneja, founder of the Malabar River Festival, first searched “river rapids” on Google Maps, he wasn’t seeking a vacation spot—he was exploring opportunities to cultivate white-water kayaking in India. On the map, he discovered a rural expanse in Kozhikode, and on-site, he unearthed what is now Asia’s largest kayaking festival.
This year, Kozhikode is once again the venue for the Malabar River Festival, now in its 12th edition, gathering kayakers from across India and other countries for three days of white-water competition. Featuring the rapids of Thusharagiri’s Chalipuzha and Iruvazhinjipuzha rivers, the festival is organized by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), and the Kozhikode District Panchayat, with technical assistance from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA). The event underscores Kerala’s growing stature as a hub for adventure tourism.
The Kerala government has allocated ₹50 lakh for the festival, according to Binu Kuriakose, CEO of KATPS. He noted that several preliminary events were organized ahead of the festival to raise awareness and encourage participation. The event will be co-hosted by eight panchayats in Kozhikode district, with the government contributing ₹2 lakh each to the involved grama panchayats.
Kuriakose emphasized that the festival also invigorates the local economy, as participants and visitors from various regions spend on homestays, dining, and local businesses. This increased traffic not only creates temporary job opportunities but also enhances the area’s visibility. The event draws not only kayakers but also spectators, further promoting Kozhikode as a destination for adventure tourism.
One visitor remarked that such skills should be imparted to more individuals, particularly in a state like Kerala, where intense monsoon rains frequently result in floods and other natural calamities.
What is white-water kayaking?
White-water kayaking is a sport in which paddlers maneuver kayaks through swiftly flowing, turbulent rivers, often navigating rapids and avoiding rocks or other obstacles. Unlike flat-water kayaking, it demands strong boat handling skills, quick reflexes, and the ability to interpret ever-changing river conditions.
The man who put Kerala on the kayaking map
Manik Taneja, the visionary behind the kayaking movement in rural Kozhikode, stated that the Kerala government has provided more consistent support for the sport compared to many other states, and even the Central Government. He recalled that when the idea originated in 2012, the event only received ₹2.5 lakh in governmental funding. That support has since surged to around ₹50 lakh, accompanied by a significantly larger prize pool.
Taneja discovered the site through Google Maps while looking for a suitable river stretch, following feedback from kayakers in Bengaluru who had difficulty finding appropriate white-water training rivers. He noted that unlike many other places, Kerala’s local communities were receptive to the idea, and the river conditions were ideal for the sport.
What began as a modest initiative has evolved into a larger ecosystem. Currently, three kayaking schools operate in the area during the monsoon season, providing training to aspiring paddlers and helping Kozhikode gain recognition as a center for white-water kayaking in India.
A global paddler’s Kerala experience
Ryan O’Connor, who clinched the Rapid Raja 2025 title, shared that Kozhikode is distinctive for its exceptional environment. He described the warm rivers and monsoon conditions as “a super cool environment” and praised the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society for advancing the sport on an international level.
O’Connor added that greater support for local paddlers would further solidify Kerala’s kayaking ecosystem and draw more international participants in the coming years.
The amateur who stunned the field
Meanwhile, Muskaan S. from Karnataka, who triumphed in the Amateur Women category after just 20 days of training in white-water kayaking, expressed that her victory was unexpected.
“I lacked confidence before the race since it was my debut competition, and there were kayakers with far more experience. But my team backed me up, assisted with the equipment, and kept me motivated throughout. My parents’ support was also invaluable. I adhered to my strategy and maintained my composure,” she recounted.
India’s kayaking and canoeing community has been steadily expanding in recent years, aided by events like the Malabar River Festival and improved access to training. With more kayaking schools emerging around Kozhikode and an increasing number of athletes engaging in the sport during the monsoon season, the festival has grown into both a significant sporting occasion and a tourism success story, positioning Kerala on the global white-water kayaking map.
