22nd Himalayan Whitewater challenge 2024 concludes successfully at Bhotekoshi River
The 22nd Himalayan Whitewater Challenge 2024 culminated in a thrilling finish on Tuesday, June 25th, at the Bhotekoshi River. The event drew participation from 25 teams, showcasing the growing popularity of this adventure sport in Nepal.
Organized by the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA), the competition enjoyed the support of the Bagmati Provincial Government, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Cooperatives, and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). NARA has been hosting this annual rafting and canoeing event since 2002, aiming to promote Nepal as a prime destination for adventure tourism while fostering the skills of rafting guides and water sports enthusiasts.
The whitewater competition witnessed fierce competition and exceptional teamwork. Bhotekoshi Adventure Club emerged victorious, conquering the rapids in an impressive time of 29 minutes and 53 seconds. Team Rafting Star and the Army Team followed closely behind, securing second and third place with timings of 31 minutes and 7 seconds and 31 minutes and 34 seconds, respectively. The team securing the first positon in rafting was honored and prized with 40,000 cash prize, the second with 20,000 and the third with 10,000 cash prize.
The canoeing competition also saw a display of athletic prowess. Surendra Majhi, Krishna Khadka, and Bijaye Majhi dominated the race, bagging the top three positions with timings of 30 minutes and 51 seconds, 30 minutes and 54 seconds, and 31 minutes and 3 seconds, respectively.
This year’s edition of the Whitewater Challenge witnessed a slight delay from its usual late-November schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. However, the event’s core objectives – promoting tourism, generating employment opportunities, boosting tourist arrivals, supporting rafting guides, and keeping the rafting scene vibrant – remained at the forefront.
NARA President Shiv Adhikari emphasized the competition’s significance in highlighting Nepal’s thrilling water sports and tourism potential. He acknowledged challenges such as riverbank waste, government construction activities near waterways, and the complexities of hydropower licensing. Adhikari stressed the need for clear government policies to support the growth of this industry. He also highlighted the underutilized potential of Nepal’s rafting guides, with an estimated 70% of NARA-trained guides seeking work abroad.
The winning team, Bhotekoshi Adventure Club, has dedicated years of practice to achieve this victory. Ravin Shrestha, a former president of the club, shared their commitment to disaster response and community service. Founded to provide assistance during floods and landslides, the 78-member club actively collaborates with government and non-government organizations, including training women for rescue operations to ensure timely and effective emergency response.
Photo courtesy: Sagar Shrestha
