Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 29: The Department of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, in collaboration with Sports Authority of India and Andaman Water sports Adventures Pvt. Ltd., has announced an exciting competition among the registered, certified Kayak guides, instructors, ensuring a high standard of skill, safety and professionalism during the Kayak Festival at North Bay on 1st of November, 2025 under the theme “Paddle to Paradise: Explore, Engage, Conserve”.
This unique initiative aims to encourage skill development, teamwork, and safety awareness among the Islands’ growing community of licensed kayak tour operators, guides, Instructors etc. The event is designed as a friendly competition that promotes camaraderie and the exchange of best practices within the local water sports industry. However, to encourage the participants, Tourism Department will award the winners of the following competitions with certificates and suitable cash prizes of Rs. 8,000/-, Rs. 5000/- & Rs. 3,000/- respectively for each event.
1) 09:00 AM: Obstacle Course Race (Tandem) – A 100-meter precision steering race through color-coded “Port” and “Starboard” markers, designed to test manoeuvring and control skills in tandem kayaking.
2) 09:30 AM: Capsize Challenge (Tandem) – Teams execute a capsize and re-entry followed by a 50-meter dash to the beach finish, focusing on coordination and teamwork under water rescue conditions.
3) 10:00 AM: Tug of War (Tandem): Two tandem teams compete in a head-to-head paddling contest, testing endurance, synchronization, and raw paddling power.
4) 11:00 AM: Out & Back Beach Start (Tandem): Participants carry, launch, paddle out to a designated marker, return, and run to the finish line in this dynamic race that combines strength, agility, and speed.
5) 12:30 PM: Closing Ceremony – Results & Acknowledgements – Declaration of results, acknowledgements of participants and a group photo session.
All registered Kayak operators/trained personnel from North Bay, Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep & other Islands have been requested to participate in the competition, with at least one representative from each firm, and also from other Departments associated with water sports, adventure tourism, and safety operations, so as to ensure wide representation and active participation from all stakeholders. All participants are required to bring their own Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and paddle. Safety checks will be conducted before the races, and lifeguards and safety boats will be stationed along the course. The competitions will also serve as a refresher in navigation awareness, rescue readiness, and environmentally responsible practices, reinforcing the Department’s emphasis on building competence and confidence among water sports operators.
The Department of Tourism has invited tourists, stakeholders, and the local public to attend the spectacular performances of skills. Parallel to this, the Kayak activities at North Bay on Nov. 1 will be available for tourists/visitors/general public on heavy discounted offer rate @ 400/- per person/tourists for 35 – 45 minutes ride, throughout the day as part of the festival. Registration to the event/competition is free. Forms can be obtained from In-charge, Registration section, Adventure Water Sports Cell (AWSC), Directorate of IP&T, Mobile No. 9434290132 & Coach (Kayak & Canoe), SAI, STC, SVP, Mobile No. 9531956474.