Now, DTPC to promote kayaking among students

KOCHI

: As the

kayaking

project launched by district tourism promotion council (

DTPC

) in the backwaters near Queen’s Walkway has evoked good response, authorities are now planning to launch a campaign in

schools

and colleges to promote kayaking as a sport activity.


DTPC will begin a six-hour certification programme for students to learn kayaking professionally and the intimation letters regarding the same have been sent by the district collector and DTPC chairman K Mohammed Y Safirulla to various schools and colleges in

Ernakulam

.

The project, which began with the intention of exploring the scope of recreational activities in the backwaters of Ernakulam, now focuses on developing kayaking as a professional watersport and bringing in more people into it.

According to DTPC officials, if a proper training programme is offered, more youngsters may get attracted to kayaking. As part of it, DTPC will organize a registration programme at all educational institutions and will give a presentation on various aspects of kayaking.

“Kochi, which is blessed with abundant backwaters of river Periyar, has great scope and demand for watersports. The introduction of kayaking for leisure was an experiment and it is getting good response. So, we thought of taking it further by introducing a basic-level programme for students. As of now, Kerala does not have any professional kayaking certification programmes. Moreover, kayaking is an international competition item and if learnt professionally, there is scope for our students to excel in the sport,” said DTPC secretary S Vijaya Kumar.

The training programme for the first 30 students who get enrolled in the programme will begin by February first week. DTPC and Scuba Cochin, which is running the project, have arranged facilities for 30 people to kayak simultaneously at Queen’s Walkway.

“The fee for the package is Rs 1,000 per head and the student should be aged above 12. The training will be mostly on weekends and there will be special session during holidays. The timings can be adjusted according to the trainee’s convenience. On completion of the programme, each of them will be awarded with certificate from DTPC,” said Scuba Cochin manager Joseph Deleesh.

As many resorts in Ernakulam are now introducing kayaking as a leisure activity, the demand for trained operators is increasing.

“There are not many people with the required skillset for being kayak operators. If anyone who completes the basic-level training programme and wants to become kayak operators, we will provide them with training in emergency rescue, first-aid, etc. There are plans for a higher-level training programme also,” Kumar added.