Tapping the potential of its long sea coast and network of backwaters, canals and rivers, Kerala has embarked on a plan to promote leisure-water sporting linked to its fast emerging adventure and water tourism segments.

The State has asked the National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS) in Goa to work out a detailed project report on this, Kerala Tourism Director Rani George said.

“We are expecting the report within two months. After that we will obtain the policy clearances and start its implementation in a step-by-step manner,” George said during an interaction with a group of journalists here.

Water sporting

The State’s assessment is that it has good scope for a wide range of water sporting like windsurfing, kayaking and canoing. Kerala’s ethnic sporting culture like snake boat racing could also be factored into the plans.

These activities could be linked to houseboat tourism on the western side and the adventure tourism which has its focus on hill stations lying towards the eastern part of the State, which could offer comprehensive packages to foreign as well as domestic holidayers, Rani George said.

Promoting water sports

Set up by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, NIWS is an ‘apex’ body for training, education, consultancy and research to promote leisure-water sporting segment in the country.

It covers a range of water sport disciplines such as life saving, boat handling, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving, river rafting and kayaking.

Apart from established water-front destinations in Kerala like Punnamada, Ashtamudi, Kumarakom and Bakel, more suitable spots would be identified for leisure-water sporting, she said.

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