While taking part in the Muziris Paddle you will enjoy breaks at various Muziris heritage spots along the course ~ the greatest Roman port on the west coast of ancient India. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Muziris while experiencing Kerala’s legendary water bodies. Muziris Paddlers will launch from Kottappuram Muziris Boat Jetty and cover a gently paced 20 km each day down National Waterway 3 (NW3) heading to Bolgatty Island in Kochi.
In January of this year Starboard Ocean Ambassador, Shilpika Gautam, joined over 100 paddlers (kayaks, stand up paddleboards, small sailing boats) covering some 40km over 2 days, paddling through some of the most beautiful backwaters in the world with her Starboard Inflatable Touring Paddleboard.
This year Shilps is calling on all adventure paddleboarders from around the world to join the Muziris Paddle in January 2020 in aid of Kerala. The State of Kerala in India, better known as “God’s own country” was devastated by the worst floods in a century in August 2018 – Tourism is a key economic activity for the state and numbers had really dropped in the winter months when its typically high season. My friends at Jellyfish WaterSports (led by Kaushiq who is a passionate champion of watersports) alongside the Kerala tourism board, the Muziris heritage Project and several local bodies such as Global sailing Club & Cohicn Bikers clubs , decided to host this event as part of the rebuilding effort in Kerala, as well as to showcase the rich socio-cultural diversity of the region, and most importantly, to get as many people on the water, whether amateurs or experienced, on the water as possible. As you are aware, historically, Indians who do not depend on the water bodies for their livelihood, typically do not have an active relationship with water. And after all, we only protect what we love.
The starting point of the paddle is the historic town of Muziris, an ancient port, a buzzing centre of the old spice route and the gateway to India for varied cultures and influences including Buddhists, Arabs, Chinese, Jews, Romans, Portuguese, Dutch and even the British, Muziris has stood witness to civilisations being born, wars being waged and history being written.
“Next year’s event is on Jan 5th and 6th in Muziris, Kerala, and I’d love for you to join me and others on the spectacular waters of the Periyar River!” ~ Shilpika Gautam
