12th Malabar River Festival to be held in Kozhikode from July 30

International athletes and top Indian paddlers from several States will compete in the four-day event, which will feature over 100 participants

Published - July 29, 2026 07:25 pm IST | Kozhikode

The Hindu Bureau

The 12th edition of the Malabar River Festival, billed as Asia’s premier white-water kayaking event, will commence along the Chalipuzha and Iruvanjipuzha rivers in Kozhikode district on Thursday (July 30, 2026).

Final preparations for the flagship tournament have been completed following a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Thiruvambadyi MLA C.K. Kasim at Kodenchery. District Collector M.S. Madhavikkutty inspected the kayaking competition venues and assessed the readiness of various sub-committees.

Organised by the Department of Tourism, along with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), the four-day event is set to witness the participation of over 100 paddlers from across the globe. International athletes representing nations such as New Zealand, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Nepal, and the Czech Republic will compete along with top Indian contenders hailing from States including Karnataka, Ladakh, Meghalaya, and Kerala.

As part of safety measures and preparations, pre-event training sessions of various teams were held on Wednesday (July 29, 2026). Set roughly 35 km from Kozhikode city, the championship features internationally recognised disciplines, including:

• Kayak Slalom
• Boater Cross
• Downriver Race

Key Highlights

A major highlight of this year’s festival is the National Kayakers’ Ranking Championship, held in partnership with the IKCA, which will directly determine the national standings for India’s leading athletes.

Event Schedule

• Thursday, July 30, 2026 – The festivities will commence with a colourful inaugural procession in Kodenchery at 3 p.m., featuring international teams, local volunteers, and student cadets. Agriculture Minister T. Siddique and Mr. Kasim will flag off the procession.

• Friday, July 31, 2026 – The official championship will open at 9 a.m. The Kayak Slalom events will get under way at the Pulikkayam International Kayaking Centre. The day’s events will draw to a close with a live musical performance by Rockstar Kaushik and Team at 5 p.m.

• Saturday, August 1, 2026 – The intense National Kayakers’ Ranking Championship rounds will be held. Minister for Public Works P.K. Basheer and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will attend a cultural conference in the evening. Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar will inaugurate the championship events at Pulloorampara. Minister for Tourism and Culture Minister P.C. Vishnunadh will lead the closing and prize presentation ceremony in the evening.

Community Engagement and Safety

The festival comes on the heels of an extensive promotional build-up across eight grama panchayats and Mukkom municipality. Designed to boost public awareness and community involvement, local pre-events throughout July included:

• Off-road fun drives in Kodenchery
• Monsoon treks
• A kite festival
• Mud football in Omassery
• Various regional sports tournaments

Organisers have also retained a dedicated competition category for local paddlers to foster grassroots talent in south India. To ensure competitor safety on the rapids, technical safety operations are being managed by Adventure Sports Systems and Timing, supported on-site by the Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, river rescue units, and disaster management personnel.