This last weekend the Nepal Kayak Club and other sponsors hosted the 13th Himalayan Whitewater Festival on the banks of the Trisuli River in Fishling, Nepal. Boaters from all over the country and the world gathered to paddle the small picturesque gorges of this Class III to IV+ stretch, and party afterwards to live music in the true tradition of the river lifestyle. Dirt Bag Paddlers’ homie Rabin Kandel, a local river guide with GRG Adventure Kayaking out of Kathmandu, Nepal was there for the four day affair, and sent us these pictures to share.
The festival featured both kayaking and rafting competitions. Hard boaters compete in freestyle, extreme slalom, boater cross and down river races, and are open for men, women, and juniors. Raft teams competed in International Rafting Federation style events like sprint, head to head, slalom, and downriver races, and the winners, Paddle Nepal, were crowned this year’s Himalayan Rafting Championship winner.
The Himalayan Whitewater Festival’s official page on Facebook (http://m.facebook.com/nkcwhitewaterfest/about ) states:
“Traditionally, up-and-coming Nepalese paddlers show great potential and natural talent, but lack the equipment, training, and guidance needed to make it to professional and world-class levels. Through the Nepal Kayak Club and the HWWF we aim to help them reach their full potential by providing them with an opportunity for education, training, and support, both on and off the water.”
Dirt Bag Paddlers salutes the winners, and cheers for all who participated!
#Senior_Champions
1st : Nim Bahadur Magar
2nd :Madhav Katuwal
3rd : Pramod Gurung
#Junior_Champions
1st : Milan Shrestha
2nd : Kushal Gurung
3rd : Raj Bhujel
3rd : Yogendra Pariyar
