KAUP (UDUPI DISTRICT):Offerring a fillip to its tourism sector, the Udupi district administration joined hands with India’s premier scuba diving company, West Coast Adventures, to introduce a scuba diving facility at Kaup beach. The facility was launched on Sunday.
They will offer unique experiences to adventure sports enthusiasts and people who are seeking an unparalleled experience of being underwater watching coral reef and fish.CEO and founder of West Coast Adventures Pawan Shourie told Express: “We are thrilled to be part of this initiative taken by the Karnataka government by offering an exciting option to their tourists who seek a scuba diving experience in India which is on par with global standards.”
“People will be ferried to the dive site, about 30 minutes away. We will offer some of the best underwater experiences that will be led by a group of skilled and passionate instructors at an initial offer price of `3,500,” he said.Scuba diving in Udupi district is slated to become one of the key tourist attractions and it was unveiled by Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake. Pawan Shourie said he intends to break a record of a 71-year-old woman trying scuba diving in Netrani Island off Murudeshwar coast recently. “Since knowing swimming is not compulsory for scuba diving, we expect good response from Manipal students and foreign tourists as well,” he said. Minimum age is 10 years for scuba diving, while there is no upper age limit.
Assistant director of Tourism Department Anita B R said there was a growing demand from tourists who visit beaches in Udupi for water-based adventure sports like scuba diving.West Coast Adventures already has its centres in Murudeshwar (Uttara Kannada district), Goa and Mumbai. West Coast Adventures centres have instructors who are certified by PADI and SSI (which are the world leaders in Scuba Diving Education and Certification for instructors and dive centres), who ensure that every diving experience is safe. There will be a 30-minute orientation for all divers and beginners.