The Malabar River Festival is back for its 11th year! It will run from July 24 to 27, 2025. Get ready for thrilling activities in the waters of Kozhikode. This kayaking event is by the beautiful Chalipuzha and Iruvazhinjipuzha streams near Thusharagiri. It helps raise Kerala's profile as a top adventure sports hub in India.
The event was organized by:
- Kerala Enterprise Tourism Advancement Society (KATPS)
- Locale Tourism Advancement Board (DTPC)
- Kozhikode Area Panchayat
The Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA) provided expert oversight. This event has consistently attracted professional and amateur kayakers from around the world. The 2025 version will highlight competitive occasions in both open and beginner categories.
Members will test their skills in Kayak Cross and Downriver Time Trial events. Classifications will be based on paddling experience. The Open Category is for skilled kayakers with Course 3 skills or higher. It features prize races and all member perks. The Beginner Category is for paddlers with Course 2 skills. It gives new talent a chance to engage in non-competitive kayaking.
How to Prepare for the Malabar River Festival 2025?
The Malabar Waterway Celebration has strong support and a stunning setting. It’s not just a sports event; it celebrates Kerala's rivers, outdoor adventures, and appeal to global travelers. The celebration also supports Kerala Tourism's goal to attract modern visitors. It showcases unique attractions and promotes affordable, high-value tourism.
Rapids and Rhythms: A Different Kind of Festival
Kozhikode doesn’t hold back when the rains fall heavy. When rivers swell and the skies burst open, this Kerala city leans in—with color, sound, people, food, and above all, water. The Malabar River Festival 2025 returned with its usual splash this year, but not without surprises.
Not just a sports competition. Not just a cultural fair. It’s something messier. And richer. A storm of kayaking, biryani, old drums, wet feet, laughter, and lots of people who didn’t want to be anywhere else.
From One Paddle to a Hundred
The event that started as a kayaking get-together in a quiet river valley has grown into what folks now call South Asia’s biggest whitewater gathering. Athletes now come from far beyond Kerala—some from Nepal, others from the north, and even a few from outside India.
The festival took place on the Chalippuzha and Iruvazhinji rivers, both wild this time of year. Currents strong enough to turn the strongest boats upside down. But that’s part of the thrill. More than 100 participants competed this year. Some seasoned. Some wide-eyed rookies. All soaked and smiling.
Local crowds showed up in full force. Old men in lungis. Women with toddlers. Teenagers yelling names they learned that morning. Hundreds of them lined the riverside, cheering, laughing, snapping photos, and munching on whatever snacks were being fried nearby.
Chaos in the Water, Cheers on the Banks
Three main races kept everyone on edge: Boater Cross, Downriver Sprint, and Slalom. Boater Cross looked more like a water fight than a race. Four kayaks launched together. Splashing, bumping, turning sharp around rocks. It was a mess. And beautiful.
Downriver Sprint was fast and rough. Just paddler versus river. Some finished breathless. Some didn’t finish at all. Slalom? Clean cuts through hanging gates. Harder than it looks. Easy to mess up. One wrong turn, and the kayak’s sideways. A few flipped over. Some paddlers hit the rocks, rolled, and came up grinning.
Groundside: Music, Art, and Fish Curry
What makes this Malabar River Festival special? The water, sure. But also what’s next to the water. While athletes battled the rapids, the banks turned festive. Stalls full of jackfruit chips, sweet rice dumplings, and kulukki sarbath kept people full. The smell of fried fish hung in the mist.
Folk dancers kept moving even when the sky poured. Chenda drummers marched across the field, barefoot in slush, beating hard. People danced, umbrellas forgotten.
Handmade crafts lined the paths. Toys. Jewelry. River-themed paintings by local schoolkids. There was even a spot where elders told old river tales—stories passed down, now shared with anyone willing to listen.
The Kids Took Over
New this year was the "Local Waves" youth race. Teenagers from nearby areas, many of whom had never raced before, were trained by NGOs and river clubs. Some showed up with borrowed gear. A few had helmets that barely fit. But they paddled hard.
One 13-year-old girl came second. Her boat was cracked at the front. She raised the trophy with muddy hands and a huge grin. That smile said everything.
Next to the racing, there were paint stations. Little ones painting their idea of a river. A snake with eyes. A goddess in a boat. A blue wave eating a city. The artwork didn’t need rules.
More Than Celebration: A Wake-Up Call
The rivers are alive. But they’re also in danger.
Part of the festival included short talks, films, and quiet corners for reflection. Visitors sat under tents, watching clips about how sand mining and waste affect Kerala’s water. A film called “The River Doesn’t Wait” left people thoughtful.
A few athletes joined the conversation. They said if the rivers dry or get dirty, they won’t just lose a sport—they’ll lose something sacred.
One booth gave kids paper to write river pledges: "I won’t throw plastic," "I’ll plant trees," "I’ll bring my parents next time."
Winning Wasn’t Everything
Sure, there were medals. Trophies too. A podium and a few speeches. But the real wins looked different:
- A kayaker helping another one up after a rough finish
- Two little boys arguing about which snack stall was best
- An old man offering his umbrella to a drenched volunteer
These weren’t official. But they were the heart of it.
Organizers already talk about Malabar River Festival 2026. Bigger crowd. Maybe night kayaking. More school participation. They’re still dreaming.
But one thing's certain: the river will keep flowing. And people will return. Not just to race. But to remember how wild, generous, and alive a river—and a community—can be.
