Over 14 international kayakers to take part in MRF 2025

The eleventh edition of the Malabar River Festival (MRF), to be held in the Chalippuzha and Iruvazhinji rivers in upland Kozhikode from July 24 to 27, will be a star-studded event, with at least fourteen renowned kayakers from different parts of the world participating in the International White Water Kayaking competition held as part of it.

International kayaking giants Anton Sveshnikov, Daria Kuzishcheva, and Ryan O’Connor (Russia); Manu Wackernagel, Zack Stones, Millie Chamberlain, Dayala Ward, and Philip Palzer (New Zealand); Patrick Sheehan and Joy Todd (USA); Kilian Ivelic (Chile); Jilly Jus (Belgium); Maria (Italy); and others will be iconic contestants at the Malabar River Festival. Professional kayakers from countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, and Singapore are also participating.

Exhibition kayaking and registration will be held at Meenthullipara on the inaugural day, July 24. The intermediate competitions in the men’s and women’s categories are scheduled for July 25, while the professional competitions are slated for July 26. The Downriver Super Finals in both the men’s and women’s categories will take place the following day.

Meanwhile, pre-events for the kayaking competition have already begun, with an ankling competition held in Thiruvambady on Saturday (July 5). A rain walk is scheduled at Thusharagiri in Kodenchery on July 8, while a mud football tournament will take place at Chembukadavu on July 11. Events on July 12 include a farm tour in Thiruvambady, a rain walk at Kakkadampoyil in Koodaranhi, a monsoon off-road safari at Thevarmala in Kodenchery, and a kabaddi competition at Manasseri in Mukkam.

A football tournament in Thiruvambady on July 13, a painting event at Thusharagiri on July 16, and a rain walk along the Wayanad Ghat Road on July 17 are also part of the festivities. Additionally, a bullock race at Perumanna and off-road events at the Thusharagiri Adventure Park are scheduled for July 17, 19, and 20. A badminton tournament at Pulikkayam and a tug-of-war at Nellipoyil will be held on July 19. Cyclists from Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts will participate in a rally concluding at Pulikkayam on July 20.

The Malabar River Festival is being organised by Kerala Tourism in collaboration with the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society, the District Tourism Promotion Council, and the Kozhikode district panchayat, with technical support from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association. Selection trials for the national kayaking team will also be held alongside the competition.