The topography of Kerala interspersed with rivers, lagoons and lakes in the interiors and hemmed by the sea on the west, makes tourism in Kerala quite varied and fascinating. Kerala Water Sports have become prospective ways to define adventure holidaying in various tourist sites in Kerala .

As you stay either in the backwaters or beaches of Kerala, you can look forward to thrilling water sports�which can revitalize you fully. Incidentally, since the beaches and backwater locations are unique in their bio-diversity and aquatic climate, the water sports in Kerala are also of a wide-ranging variety beginning from snake boat races to wind surfing.

Varieties of Kerala Water Sports

• Canoeing is a Kerala Water Sport, during which you can unravel the sedate rural life of Kerala that sustains itself along the backwaters. So you can just canow along the waterways meandering through Kerala

• A catamaran is a type of boat or ship which has two hulls joined by a frame. Invented by the paravas , a fishing community of Tamil Nadu , Catamarans are largely used in the Kerala for adventure and leisure holidaying.

• A kayak is a small human-powered boat , propelled by a double-bladed paddle . In Kerala you will find many of them in the backwaters. So you should not miss Kayaking , the watersport in the serene ambience of a lake or the rivers.

• Have you heard of Para Sailing , in which a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute . As the boat drives off, the parascender is carried into the air. Aren't you excieted already? So don't miss out parasailing from the beaches in Kerala

• Scuba diving refers to diving under the water with self contained underwater breathing while Snorkeling is the practice of swimming at the surface of water with a diving mask . So you can enjoy the underwater marine life on the coastline of Kerala for a long time by using the equipments

• In Wind Surfing , you surf as well as sail. On one hand, you need to maneuver following the changing patterns of wind and water as well as sail across the sea. The breezy climate of Kerala beaches offers a fantastic setting for windsurfing.

More Information on Kerala Water Sports

Kerala is almost synonymous with its boat races. While a number of water sports have been introduced in the backwaters and on the beaches of Kerala, snake boat racing, one of the oldest form of entertaining folks, is still popular amongst domestic and foreign tourists. The traditional boats used for the snake boat races, are known as chunduvalloms .

The Snakeboat races in Kerala are an integral part of the place. During your tour to Kerala do not miss to watch this event. It displays the velour of its people and their folk arts. The backwaters in Kerala fringed with coconut palms are the venue. Different types of boats - Irruuttikuthi, Veppu, Ody, Swan, Churulan and the majestic Chundan Valloms - display the craftsmanship of Kerala. It is very interesting to watch the singers of boat singing the folk literature of Kerala and their unity.

Come and get mesmerized by the awesome performance of oarsmen. The whole fete is an extravaganza of audio-visual arts. Alappuzha is the heart of backwaters where many snakeboat racing events are held.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race in Kerala

It is the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala. The race is held on the Champakulam Lake on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam.

Aranmula Uthrattadi Vallamkalim at Kerala

Conducted during Onam, The two days Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala is more a water fiesta than a competition. The event is a re-enacting of the legend involving a devout Brahmin who made a votive offering of feeding one pilgrim a day. On this day an imposing effigy of Sree Krishna is taken out in procession on the lake with children dressed as nymphs and princesses. Enjoy watching the snake boats decorated with silken parasols, carrying helmsmen, oarsmen and singers assemble near the temple early in the morning and then move away in pairs, creating a magnificent pageant.

Payippad Jalotsavam at Kerala

The three day annual fiesta on the Payippad Lake commemorates the installation of the deity at the Subramanya Swamy Temple, Haripad . This is another colorful event not to be missed by the travelers on a tour to Kerala.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Kerala

If you are on a tour to Kerala , you should not miss the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, one of the most exciting events of Kerala. Pavilions are set up for spectators on the banks and in the middle of the Punnamada Lake - the venue of the race.

This boat race is so named because the former Indian Prime Minister, Jawahar lal Nehru instituted the trophy for the winners.

Join the excitement of the boat races in Kerala and make your tours to Kerala memorable.