Braving the rains, sports enthusiasts in the city took to the waters of Puri Canal last Sunday to try their hands at Kayaking as part of a workshop. As claimed by the organisers, this was the first-of-its-kind Kayaking workshop conducted in the city. The event was organised by the French sporting goods retailer, Decathlon at Old Kacharamala village near Phulnakhara on the outskirts of the city. At least 31 participants from various walks of life learnt the nuances of this water sport from two trainers of Odisha Maritime Academy. Six inflatable kayaks were used for the training.
Each enthusiast had a different reason for participating in the event. For 27-year-old Shaheerah, who is a Phd scholar at Institute of Life Sciences, the event was an attempt towards gaining independence as a tourist. "When I visit tourist spots outside Odisha, I have to rely on guides to enjoy Kayaking. I hate this idea. I want to remain self-sufficient and independent always," she explained. It was a knowledge booster for Jabapurabi Nagesh of Old Town, who dived into the fun of this activity along with her six-year-old son and husband.
For first-timers like Anshuman Agarwal of Cuttack, Dr. Sachin R of SCB Medical College, Shikyakta of Infosys and Aniket Sharma of KIIT university, the event was no less than a road to Damascus! The experienced ones like Silvana, a native of Italy and a certified Scuba diver, and Shitikantha Behera and his 12-year-old daughter Adija, brushed their skills.
With the water current being gentle in this part of the canal and minimum obstacles on the route, the spot turned out to be good for beginners. There wasn't any underwater whirlpool. The depth of the water was five feet. However, the participants had to wiggle their way out of the tangle of hanging branches whenever the kayaks were diverted towards the banks due to faulty paddling. Besides this one, which are the safest spots for kayaking in and around the city? "The best place for kayaking is Mahanadi in Cuttack. You can also go to Nua Nai near Puri, Ramachandi, Beleswar or Kuakhai river," trainer Satyaki Bose said.
One should never compromise with safety measures, he added. "You should always wear a life jacket. Before you head towards the river, inform anyone from your family who can be contacted if any mishap occurs. It is not a very challenging sport. People of all ages can try this," he said.
Must-haves: One must wear a life-jacket and carry a small knife for cutting fishing nets or other obstacles, an anchor and 60-feet long rope.
Choice of Kayak: Inflatables are portable. But, they get leaked easily. The ones made of rigid tyres are best.
Best buy: The Kayaking kits are available at Decathlon in Phulnakhra and Mechen in Macheswar
TIPS FROM TRAINER
Dress for the water, not for the weather. A well-fitting swimsuit is advisable to wear.
Invest in water-proof storage cases to keep your belongings intact.
Learn to communicate with your fellow-kayakers through sign language as rapids can be noisy.
Practice paddling at home before hitting the water. Straddle an armless chair while holding a broomstick or hockey stick, and imagine yourself paddling from side to side
Survey the river first. You should study the river map first to know your hurdles.
Don't forget to check the weather forecast. It is difficult to paddle through a heavy rain as your kayak’s cockpit will be filled with water and make it unstable.
Duct tape is your friend. For instance, if the shaft of the rod cracks, the adhesive will be helpful.
Sit straight. While sitting with your back supported in the kayak, place the balls of your feet in the foot guides. Some kayaks have pegs, instead. Your toes should be pointed outward and your heels should be found in the center of the kayak.
Don't try to become a rabbit. Enjoy the scenery, get a feel for how your body rests in the kayak and focus on technique, not speed.
Don’t fight the vessel, go with it. If you spin your kayak, follow through with the motion and adjust accordingly.
To avoid cramps and aches, do some light stretching.