Travel News, March, 2007

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White Water Rafting championship in Himachal
by Nagendra Ratna

          Pandua (Shimla): Rafters from India and abroad began battling it out on the River Sutlej on Friday for the 4th International White-Water Rafting Championship, which began in the picturesque town of Pandua in Himachal Pradesh. There are 12 teams, including two from abroad. Rafters will test their stamina in three categories - head to head Raft sprint, Slalom and Downriver raft. The three-day event, dubbed as the India Cup, provides an excellent opportunity to rafters ahead of the forthcoming World Rafting Championship and other international championships of repute. Two foreign teams, from Australia and Slovakia, too are putting their skills to test on the turbulent rapids. Three teams from the Indian Army and one from Indian Air Force are also participating in the competition. "We have been training for six months for this one. And, Shaukat Singh (President of the Indian Rafting Foundation) has kept us very busy and with lots of information on how the competition was in the previous years. This river water is very fast compared to what we are used to. It's usually very steep and rocky where we come from, and so this is nice to paddle into good waters. It's very awesome," said Darel, the Australian team's captain.

         According to Major B. J. Jha, the captain of one of the Indian Army teams, participating in the water sports for the experience that could well help him in the battleground. "Adventure training in army could help us a lot in the battleground. When we compete with other teams in such competitions, the experience helps us while we are at the front," Jha said. Among the most awaited and risky events in the championship is the Raft Sprint - a head-to-head, knockout race held over 100 meters of river space. Another event, Downriver Raft, involves the challenge of navigating a tough 15 kilometres downstream. The forceful currents of the Sutlej are recognised as a good water field for white water rafting. A take away from regular water sports, water rafting provides an instant adrenalin rush, but with definite risks involved.
-March 16,  2007