Under the aegis of its district Collector Mir Mohammed Ali, Kannur will kick off a "Month of Adventure" festival this May. Every Sunday will see a different sport being highlighted, from cyclothons to kayaking!
Located in Kerala, the district of Kannur is fast developing into one of the most sought-after adventure destinations in India. With several options like banana boat riding, parasailing, rafting and riding wave runners, Kannur has ample activities for adventure enthusiasts.
Well, May 2018 promises to be an interesting month for interested locals and tourists. Mir Mohammed Ali, the district collector of Kannur, announced on Twitter on April 1 that every Sunday of the month will witness a host of exciting activities for those who are interested.
From cycling across the longest drive-in beach, running 10.5 km through a 1000 years of Thalassery history, swimming across a 570m wide river and kayaking around islands—adrenaline junkies can look forward to quite a fun-filled month!
The young district collector has quite a few achievements to his name. In April 2017, Kannur became India’s first plastic-free district and only just five months!
He is also responsible for the ‘Map My Home’ initiative, which brings places of public interest onto the online platform.
The four recreational activities which will be in focus in Kannur are as follows:
• Cycling:
A cyclothon will be held at the Muzhappilangad Beach — famed to be Asia’s longest drive-in beach, — and 3 km of the 7 km stretch of golden sand will be open to promoting cycling on the crescent-shaped beach.
Interestingly, in 2016, this beautiful beach was chosen by the BBC as one of the top six drive-in beaches in the world. Protected by giant black rocks that keep the surf gentle, the beach is also known for adventure sports like paragliding, power boating, parasailing and microlite flights.
• Running:
Did you know Thalassery is home to the maidan which hosted the first cricket matches ever played in India? Or that the aromas of the first christmas cake to be baked in India once wafted through its streets? Or that its home to a plethora of gorgeous colonial-era buildings?
It is with the idea of introducing this rich heritage to tourists that the Kannur district administration will be organising the Thalassery Heritage Marathon, a 10.5 km marathon that will take tourists to all monuments and historically significant parts of the town.
Also Read: The Thalasserry Man Who Baked India’s First Christmas Cake
• Swimming:
Swim along Valapattanam River, the largest river in the Kannur district, which originates from the Brahmagiri Reserve Forest in Karnataka. A swimming event will be organised around the Parassiniakadavu area of the river, and the winners will be awarded prizes.
Interestingly, the tourism department is also planning to introduce a theme-based cruise along the Valapattanam river that will offer holidayers a chance to explore the region’s traditional arts, culture, heritage, cuisine, rustic life and scenic beauty!
• Kayaking:
The district administration wil also organise kayaking in the palm-fringed Kavvayi Backwaters, the third largest backwater destination in Kerala. The duration of the activity would be around 4 hours and will allow the participants to enjoy the beauty of the place.
Fed by four rivers, this biodiversity hotspot is perhaps the prettiest backwater stretch in the state and home to the beautiful Valiyaparamba Island. This isn’t your typical getaway, but a trip to this island is one you’ll never forget.
You may also like: How Kannur Worked to Become India’s First Plastic-Free District in Just 5 Months!
Kannur is replete with natural marvels and is blessed with sprawling beaches, beautiful backwaters, roaring rivers and a rich history. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and soak in all the experiences that Kannur has to offer.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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