Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 30 October 2025
The Department of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Andaman Water Sports Adventures Pvt. Ltd., has announced the organization of a Kayak Festival at North Bay on November 1, 2025, under the theme “Paddle to Paradise: Explore, Engage, Conserve.” The event will feature a unique competition among registered and certified kayak guides and instructors, aimed at promoting high standards of skill, safety, and professionalism in the Islands’ water sports sector.
According to the Department of Tourism, the initiative seeks to foster skill development, teamwork, and safety awareness among the Islands’ growing community of licensed kayak tour operators, guides, and instructors. Designed as a friendly competition, the festival will also serve as a platform to promote camaraderie and the exchange of best practices within the local water sports industry. To encourage participation, the Tourism Department will award winners of each event with cash prizes of ₹8,000, ₹5,000, and ₹3,000 respectively, along with certificates of appreciation.
The day-long festival will begin with an Obstacle Course Race at 9:00 am, where participants will navigate a 100-metre precision steering course through colour-coded “Port” and “Starboard” markers designed to test manoeuvring and control skills in tandem kayaking. This will be followed by the Capsize Challenge at 9:30 am, in which teams will execute a capsize and re-entry manoeuvre followed by a 50-metre dash to the beach, focusing on coordination and teamwork under simulated rescue conditions. At 10:00 am, teams will compete in the Tug of War event, a head-to-head paddling contest designed to test endurance, synchronization, and raw paddling power. The Out and Back Beach Start event will take place at 11:00 am, where participants will carry, launch, and paddle to a designated marker before returning to the beach finish line, combining strength, agility, and speed. The festival will conclude with a closing ceremony at 12:30 pm, featuring the announcement of results, acknowledgements of participants, and a group photo session.
All registered kayak operators and trained personnel from North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and other Islands have been invited to participate in the festival. The Department has requested at least one representative from each firm, as well as participation from other departments involved in water sports, adventure tourism, and safety operations, to ensure wide representation and active involvement from all stakeholders.
Participants are required to bring their own Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and paddles. Safety checks will be conducted prior to the races, and lifeguards and safety boats will be stationed along the course to ensure the highest standards of safety. Beyond the competition, the events will serve as a refresher on navigation awareness, rescue preparedness, and environmentally responsible practices, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to building competence and confidence among water sports operators while promoting eco-conscious tourism in the Islands.
The Department of Tourism has also invited tourists, stakeholders, and local residents to witness the thrilling displays of kayaking skill and teamwork. To add to the festive atmosphere, kayaking activities at North Bay will be available for tourists and visitors throughout the day at a heavily discounted rate of ₹400 per person for a 35 to 45-minute ride. Registration for the competition is free, and forms can be obtained from the In-charge, Registration Section, Adventure Water Sports Cell (AWSC), Directorate of IP&T, Mobile No. 9434290132, or from the Coach (Kayak & Canoe), SAI, STC, Sri Vijaya Puram, Mobile No. 9531956474.
