White-Water Rafting : Rapid Grades

The weekend is here and you want to explore all your options of making that break away from the city...

If you are one of those adventurous kinds, you'd probably look into some kind of physical activity that would involve some serious and strenuous (but relieving from all the mundane weekly workload) physical activity around where you live.


And some of you might just want to head out and jump on to a raft on one of the exciting rivers around where you live.

Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1970s.


A simple and fun activity it sure is...but read on to know what to expect once on your raft.


RAPIDS

A rapid is a section of a river where the river bed has a relatively steep gradient causing an increase in water flow and turbulence. A rapid is a hydrological feature between a run (a smoothly flowing part of a stream) and a cascade.


A rapid is characterised by the river becoming shallower and having some rocks exposed above the flow surface. As flowing water splashes over and around the rocks, air bubbles become mixed in with it and portions of the surface acquire a white colour, forming what is called "whitewater".

Rapids occur where the bed material is highly resistant to the erosive power of the stream in comparison with the bed downstream of the rapids. Very young streams flowing across solid rock may be rapids for much of their length.


RAPID GRADES

Grade 1

Rapids are small regular waves. The passage is clear and easy to recognise and negotiate. Care may be needed with obstacles like fallen trees and bridge piers.



Grade 2

Rapids have regular medium sized waves (less than 1 metre), low ledges or drops, easy eddies and gradual bends. The passage is easy to recognise and is generally unobstructed although there may be rocks in the main current, overhanging branches or log jams.



Grade 3

Rapids with fairly high waves (1-2 metres), broken water, stoppers and strong eddies, exposed rocks and small falls. The passage may be difficult to recognise from the river and manoeuvring to negotiate the rapid is required.

Grade 4

Difficult rapids with high, powerful, irregular waves, broken water, often boiling eddies, strong stoppers, ledges, drops and dangerous exposed rocks. The passage is often difficult to recognise and precise and sequential manoeuvring is required.

Grade 5



Very powerful rapids with very confused and broken water, large drops, violent and fast currents, abrupt turns, difficult powerful stoppers and fast boiling eddies; with numerous obstacles in the main current. Complex, precise and powerful sequential manouvering is required. A definite risk to personal safety exists.

Grade 6


All previous difficulties increased to the limit of practicability. Very confused and violent water so difficult that controlled navigation by raft is virtually impossible. Significantly life threatening if swimming and unrunable by all but a few experts.


Coming soon...we go rafting on the Kundalika (river at some place on the Mumbai-Goa Highway) and share the experience with you....
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Brahmaputra River Puts India On The International White Water Map

The Brahmaputra enters India in the far eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh after traveling hundreds of miles across Tibet as the Tsangpo from its birthplace near the holy lake of Mansarovar. It is one of the world's largest, on a scale with the Indus, Mississippi, and the Nile.


One of the great rivers of Asia, the Brahmaputra commences its 3,000-km journey to the Bay of Bengal from the slopes of Kailash in western Tibet. As Tibet's great river, the Tsangpo, transverses east across the high-altitude Tibetan plateau north of the Great Himalayan Range, carving out myriad channels and sandbanks on its way. As it tumbles from the Himalayan heights towards the plains of the subcontinent it twists back on itself, cutting a deep and still unnavigated gorge, until finally turning south it emerges in Arunachal Pradesh as the Dihong. Just beyond Pasighat, it meets the Dibang and Lohit where it finally becomes the Brahmaputra.

It runs through dense forests and tribal settlements. Rafting trips starts in a place called Tuting, so remote that we have to reach there via helicopter ride! A seldom-run river, the Brahmputra offers beautiful scenery, excellent big white water and great wild life in a less-visited corner of the sub-continent. After having big fun and adventure, you finish our rafting at Passighat. The Brahamputra has its source at holy Mount Kailash Mansarover in Tibet, traverses the entire Tibetan plateau, and then makes its great bend into India, cutting into the Himalaya the deepest gorge in the world, a canyon which has as yet eluded all attempts at exploration.


The various adventurous sports held in the Bharmaputra river has helped the India's poor high-end adventure reputation to be changed. The experienced crew of rafters and kayakers have put together a rafting expedition down the mighty Brahmaputra. Aimed at putting India on the international white water map, 180-km stretch of the Brahmaputra will mark the first non-military expedition on the river and the first commercial foray in the politically sensitive region.


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Rafting Destination - 1 : Wet-n-Wild Weekend On The River Kundalika – 3 hours Away From Mumbai!

If you love the monsoon and figure high on the adventure barometer, white water river-rafting is a must try!

The Western Ghats are full of short and swift flowing rivers. However due to uneven terrain, there are not many river rafting location in Maharashtra. However Kundalika river which lies hardly 100 kms from Mumbai and Pune provides excellent opportunity for river rafting. It is preferred one day weekend getaway adventure destination near Mumbai and Pune.




River Kundalika is fed by waters released from Mulshi Dam and Bhira dam and provides 9 km rafting location with class 3 and class 4 rapids.
The best time to visit here is the monsoon, when the water levels are good for rafting. However, depending on levels of water, rafting can be done rest of the year as well.
Rafting is done over an 8 kms stretch, a journey filled with high thrills over rapids lasting almost three hours. Apart from rafting, there are other activities like river-crossing, jungle treks, rock-climbing (post-monsoon) and boating.

A number of Mumbai and Pune based adventure clubs organize white river rafting camps during monsoon near Kolad. The daily rafting charges are around USD 50-75.
Some of the clubs are:

Camp River Wild
Mercury Himalayan Explorations (MHE)
Kamath Resorts
Empower activity camps


How to reach Kolad:

Kolad lies on the Mumbai - Goa national highway. It is about 98 kms from Mumbai. The river rafting site is located at Saje village, 97 km west of Pune on the Mulshi-Kholad Road. Mumbai and Pune are the nearest international airports. Kolad or Roha railway station on the Konkan railway is the nearest railway station.

Sight seeing near Kolad

Kansai Waterfall (about 7 kms)
Hot Springs at Uddhar (9 kms)
Pali Ganesh Mandir (13 kms)
Trek to Sarasgad, Sudhagad
Alibaug Seaface (35 Kms)
Birla Salao Temple (52 Kms)
Bhira Dam (46 Kms)
Raigad Ropeway.(70 Kms)
Murud Jangira(93 kms)
Tamaani Ghats(Waterfalls)(48 Kms)
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Kashmir Tops Popularity List For White Water River-Rafting !

White water river-rafting is famous in India and has seen the likes of Brad Pitt drop in secretly at Rishikesh, have that adrenalin rush and leave.. as quietly as he came!

But besides the Ganges, Kashmir’s valley is the next best destination if you love the waters sparkling with danger and a rush for adventure! Kashmir is known the world over for its enchanting picturesque lakes, streams and rivers. River water rafting is a relatively recent introduction in the Kashmir valley.



In Kashmirs Pahalgam region, in particular, white water river rafting has gained immense popularity. Located in the south-east of Kashmir, Pahalgam is surrounded by lofty mountain ranges and is washed by gushing streams and rivulets which provide abundant opportunities for adventure sports like river water rafting.

The aquatic adventure sport is attracting a lot of domestic as well as international tourists. And, this is a good news for the local residents related to tourism sector.
In fact, the white water river rafting destinations in India are comparable to the best in the world and among these the ones in Kashmir render utmost thrills to the participants.
Adventure-loving tourists visiting Kashmir include Pahalgam as their prime destination to enjoy thrills of white water rafting here.

Earlier, Pahalgam used to have only 10-13 boats sailing along the ice-cold white waters of Lidder Nallah (stream). But now their number has touched 40-45 to cater to the needs of the ever growing enthusiasts of this adventure sport here. The growing charm among tourists has proved a boon for local residents here.
“The tourists response is very good. Out of the total tourists coming to Pahalgam, 90 per cent are doing rafting. We know about it because we are into this business. Even the locals are into rafting and it’’s getting very popular.” said Mohammed Ibrahim Raina, owner of a rafting boat.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government after watching the potential of this sport is keen to capitalise on river rafting as an employment generation medium in the region.
“It is our effort to promote white river rafting because we have streams and beautiful rivers here which are perfect for it. There is a lot of potential and opportunity for white water rafting so we want to fully exploit it and create this facility for the tourists. The effort is to promote white river rafting to benefit local residents because the government is not interested in running this rafting programme and we are only overseeing this. We are laying down the terms and conditions for conducting this programme and only want the locals to benefit from this,” said Sarmad Hafeez, Joint Director for Tourism in Kashmir.

Lets hope the government takes keen interest in developing all kinds of water sports as India is truly emerging as a hotspot for sailing and yachting for water-babies all over the world. Read more...

The New-Age WaterSports - more WET and even more WILD !

Watersports - the next level of sports - always something very exciting to watch and even more so to play!

The fun and passion involved in competing in water has its own enigma compared to being on land...


The water hitting your body...competing in watersports means more than just playing...you compete against a whole new competitor and try to have control over it too - the element of nature - something that you cant not respect!

What was earlier looked on as recreation has reached new levels of competition today!

ONE FOR EVERYBODY

What might have started as swimming and transformed into boating has reached new levels of involvement and excitement many times through revolution if not evolution...

Though it is technology has helped a long way into making watersports and their equipments even more exciting and thrilling - it's the players who have strived to take watersports to a new level.

The number of types and variations for each have created an array of offerings that would definitely appeal to all.

Some of the latest watersports might have started from a chance...but have gained so much in terms of popularity that they are all over TV channels. Some

SKURFING

Skurfing a popular surface watersport in which the participant is towed on a surfboard, behind a boat, with a ski rope. Skurfing is highly popular in the state of W.A in Australia and in many other places in the world.


Unlike most other watersports where the participant is towed, Skurfing is not a professional sport and has no official competitions, it is a freestyle sport with highly individualistic style and form. There are no defined styles or conventions rather it is about personal style.

WAKEBOARDING

Wakeboarding is a boardsport. It was created from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques. Before it was called wakeboarding it was called skurfing. As in water skiing, the rider is towed behind a boat, or a cable skiing setup, but typically at slower speeds (16 - 23mph).


Beginners start at slower speeds such as 18mph with shorter ropes (60 - 65 ft). More experienced wakeboarders use faster speeds such as 25mph, but use longer ropes up to 85 ft (26 m) long. Instead of using skis, the rider rides a single board, known as a wakeboard, with stationary non-release bindings for each foot, standing sideways as on a snowboard or skateboard.

The boards, which can float, are typically 120 - 147 cm long, depending on weight, and up to 45 cm wide (shorter and wider than snowboards). Unlike snowboards, which are concave, they are convex (tips 15 - 25cm).

TUBING

Tubing, also known as biscuiting, is where a large circular rubber tube is towed behind a boat at fast speeds. Generally considered a novice or child's water-sport due to the lack of skill involved. The general aim is to hold on as long as possible without falling off due to the boat's sharp turns; more experienced biscuiters also try to jump the boat's wake and become airborne.


Also a very simple and novice trick for beginners would be the barrel roll, once the tube is on the outeredge of a corner going faster than normal, a rider can intentionally roll off the tube to try and roll from upright to upside down and back again all in the same motion.

DISCING

Discing consists of standing on a circular wooden disc and being towed behind the boat. The disc supports the rider by means of spreading the weight out evenly across the water.


It requires good balance, and as a result discing cannot be performed at extremely high speeds, meaning it is sometimes viewed as dull. One form of Discing is to simply do circles at fast speed with the discer trying to hold on as long as possible and seeing how far they can shoot off upon releasing the rope.

TOWED HYDROFOIL

The hydrofoiler is towed by a powered boat; mechanically the person rides a water kite or paravane hydrofoil. Wake energy is used for some jumping.


A wakeboard is used to enter the hydrofoiling. This is a hybrid surface sport as it uses the surface of the water and the under-surface and air.

BODYBOARDING

A bodyboard is an instrument of wave riding consisting of a small roughly rectangular piece of foam, shaped to a hydrodynamic form. The bodyboard is ridden predominantly lying down, (or 'prone').


It can also be ridden in a half-standing stance (known as 'dropknee') or can even be ridden standing up. The vast majority of bodyboarders usually wear swimfins on both feet to aid in paddling out and taking off.

So let's get down and get knowing which is your watersport..!



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India's answer to Water Sports - YAKA !

When we talk about watersports - something like swimming, scuba-diving or snorkeling would not ignite much of a spark as compared to SKURFING, BAREFOOT WATER SKIING, BODY BOARDING or WAKE BOARDING. Many of us might not be in the know-how of what exactly these terms mean...but if we simply break-up these words...and visualise...they not only sound exciting but also make us feel like we are in James Bond territory!


Most of us Indians, enjoy our swimming pools and beaches by doing a little bit of skinny-dipping or throwing a small frizbee around. But in the western world, the people invent and re-invent most of their sports to make life feel as much as living on the edge as possible. Not only do they have many more sports to play but they also use their creativity to keep you guessing 'What's Next ?!'



Many of our international sports channels and 'X-Games' give us a glimpse of these extreme and fun sports, but maybe we Indians always felt that we could not jump into these due to many reasons like safety, access and practicality.

YAKA

Based in Mumbai, Yaka is all about the new generation of Indian adrenaline junkies !

It aims to transform access to leading brands of kayaks, kiteboards and other extreme sporting equipment. All of Yaka's products are imported from international brands that lead the way in design, construction, and developing their sport across the globe.

It's range of water sports products falls nothing short of world’s leading kayaks from Perception, the legendary Peter Lynn kites, benchmark kiteboards from Underground - all manufactured in New Zealand and imported and sold in India at a price comparable to rest of the world.


Apart from boards and kites, Yaka stocks a range of clothing and buoyancy aids from specialist sporting accessories producer Hydraulics is also available, and Yaka is teaming up with the celebrated Primal Surf (WOW!) team to design a special range of surfboards for India.


YAKA'S MISSION

Yaka proudly claims that it's mission is not only in the destination ie. the kick one gets out of these extreme sports, but also in the journey to this destination. It's staff of professionals provide the best and the safest experience, the best range of boats and accessories that suit the purpose they’re used for.


FABULOUS INITIATIVE

Yaka has taken a fantastic initiative in setting up something of the sort of its operations. We believe that as the Indian market will mature - which is soon, considering the pace at which things are moving, water sports will definitely be hugely accepted thanks to awareness and corporate support.

For Yaka, we are talking of the world's best equipment (as shown on TV...;-)) at Indian prices...a bargain that no Indian can back out of !
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Yachts and Romance: Love and the Deep Blue Sea !

Did you know that love was born in the deep blue sea? Yup! The mythologies of the WORLD confirm it. From Venus to Laxmi! The goddesses of love, beauty, wealth and prosperity all sprung from the depths of the ocean. Hence the phrase 'how deep is your love' means much more than just mush!


This Valentines Day make sure you pay a tribute to these goddesses so that they may shower their blessings on you. With just a week left, we find out the best way to celebrate this day.

Guess what.. a Yacht party tops the list!

Enjoy a romantic cruise on the bay aboard a Yacht. Treat your sweetheart to a gourmet dinner and lose yourselves in the romantic atmosphere of the clear blue sky and the deep blue sea. Far away from the madding crowd make sure to hop on to a love boat and sail away with your honey.

Water sport activities make fantastic Valentine's Day gifts for guys who love getting out and about on the high seas. He could enjoy white water rafting, zapcat racing, yacht sailing, wake boarding, motor powerboating and more.
So you see why this celebration option tops the list? Its got the thrills and the frills ;). Wish you Happy Sailing and a Very Happy Valentine's day!

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India's Beautiful Sailing / Water Sports Destinations : Part II - Lakshadweep Islands

Part II of our posts on India's very own sunbathed yachting destinations tells us about none other than our favorite - Lakshadweep Islands.


Formerly known as the Laccadives, the Lakshadweep Islands- `Million islands’- may be somewhat inaccurately named, but are undeniably beautiful. In fact, the Lakshadweep islands, which lie in the Arabian Sea, are actually only 36 in number- a series of atolls and open reefs of which only 10 are inhabited.


In the Lakshadweep Islands among the most popular sites for water sports are Bangaram which is the only island accessible to foreigners and Kadmat. Both have extensive facilities for snorkeling, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, swimming, windsurfing and parasailing. Bangaram, especially, has a wonderful coral reef, with an abundance of marine life- everything from angelfish, clown fish, stingrays, hawkbill turtles and green turtles to sturgeons. Minicoy, the southernmost isle of the Lakshadweep group has a large lagoon which is good for swimming. Further north at Kalpeni Island has sea suitable for kayaking, sailing and swimming.


In Kadmat training courses in snorkelling and scuba diving are conducted by the deep-sea diving institute.Tinakara, Valiyakara, Cheriyam and Suheli are few of the other sites which are being developed as tourist centres and consequently are also acquiring the necessary infrastructure for sea sports.


TOURISM

Seeing the beauty and the potential of Lakshadweep as a tourist hot-spot, the Government of India has started promoting Lakshadweep at a rampant pace. As part of that, they have set up a webpage on Lakshadweep and its offerings.

At the same time, Superstar cruises has it on their map for their various offerings.

SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET THERE...

Agatti Aerodrome on Agatti Island is currently the only airport in Lakshadweep. Indian Airlines, the state owned carrier, serves Agatti and flies to Kochi on the mainland. Also, from April 2007, a private carrier, Kingfisher Airlines, has commenced flights to and from Agatti. Kingfisher connects Kochi and Bangalore to Agatti. The other islands are linked by a helicopter or boat service.

Do let us know when to tie our backpacks and see you there...
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Water Sports making a big Splash in India !

INDIA!! What comes in your mind when u hear it? Yes food, beauty & adventure. There is a lot to explore. On land adventure sports like cycling, rock climbing, trekking are well developed. But in the past few months it’s seen that people have started gaining interest in water sports too. There is a increase in the demand of water sport products as the number of buyers who can afford it has increased. Fiber-glass boats, scuba diving equipment, outboard engines and kayaks are flooding the Indian adventure sports market.

Yaka which is a Mumbai-based adventure sports company says it is 'working to transform access to leading brands of kayaks, kite boards and other extreme sporting equipment for a new generation of adrenaline junkies in India'. Yaka stocks the legendary Peter Lynn kites and benchmark kite boards from Underground & the world's leading kayaks from Perception and Mission which are manufactured in New Zealand. Special range of surfboards, clothing and buoyancy aids are also offered by Yaka.

Mr. Guido Bothe who is a native of Berlin & runs a company called Chinkara motors with his Indian wife Mrs. Shama Bothe. The company manufactures sport vehicles & boats. When asked about his company and the future of water sports in India this is what he had to say. ‘I've had staff with me for 10 years. We are able to manufacture products of as good a quality as abroad and we price our products from Rs.600,000 to Rs.35 million. Similar vessels made abroad cost double the amount.’




‘Much of our work goes to the minor ports coming up. Lots of people in India are also taking to water sports as a hobby. Now it is still not significant. But it will take five to 10 years for water sports to arrive in India in a big way.’

Here is what few of the firms have to offer:-

• Polycoat Electra in Ahmedabad offers outboard and diesel engines and low-cost aluminum 5 meter x 3 meter speedboats.



• Ferretti Yachts offers flybridge-type fiberglass yachts with an open upper deck. Offering luxury boats, it puts on offer choice cherry heartwood, leather and wood-coating material, tilting widows and wear-proof exterior material.

• Aquasail of Mumbai produces sailing dinghies, kayaks, windsurfers, powerboats and leisure yachts & the low price tag makes it easy for everyone and anyone to own a watercraft.
  
• The representatives of Gulf Craft Inc. in Mumbai have been producing hand-laid fiberglass boats for 25 years.


• Other firms from Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Chennai and elsewhere offer a range of products like rescue boats, pleasure vehicles, oil spill equipment, diving equipment, yachts, cruisers, ship-repairs, fast-attack crafts and outboard motors.

'Boating and yachting has become an industry in itself. Goa has a truly international flavour. So I thought why not organise something here,' said Mumbai-based Joseph Dias, who organised the fourth Goa International Boat Show here a week ago. Dias has been keeping up at this venture and points out that places like Miami in the US have boat shows '50 times the size of the Goa show'.

'In the next five to 10 years, we can build Goa into a hub for boat shows and the trade in India,' he said.

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