The Snake Boat Race of Kerala takes place today. After Hrs tracks other popular boat races from around the world...

Row, row, row your boat

The Snake Boat Race of Kerala takes place today. After Hrs tracks other popular boat races from around the world...

The Champakulam Boat Race popularly known as Snake Boat Race of Kerala is a sight to see — set against the scenic canals and backwaters of Alappuzha. Exceptionally long country boats, chundans, are used for this, the oldest snake boat race and the first of the harvest season of the state. Festival boats of the area accompanied the idol of Krishna, being brought to the region’s temple, in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake in 1545 AD. Celebrating that moment, the whole procession is enacted every year with the same enthusiasm. A line of boats festooned with colourful parasols and performing arts delights spectators before the race kicks off. The snake boat race is often considered the ultimate test of endurance, speed and skill in this region and rowers numbering about 90 to 100 on each boat undergo rigorous training for several days, prior to participating in the race. Even the International Dragon Boat Festival or Tuen Ng Festival from July 2-8, is celebrated to memorialise the death of a popular Chinese national hero Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt rulers. Legend has it that as the town people attempted to rescue Qu Yuan; they beat drums to scare fish away and threw dumplings into the sea to keep the fish from eating his body. Today, festival activities recall this legendary event. This year 3,000 athletes from 12 countries will race and the Dragon Boat Races will be a lively, vibrant spectacle with elaborately decorated boats moving to the beat of heavy drums. The special boats measure more than 10 meters and are ornately carved and painted with a dragon head and tail, carrying a crew of 20-22 paddlers. This week Finland will also witness Sulkavan Suursoudut, the biggest rowing event which gathers over 10,000 rowers and over 20,000 visitors, from July 5-8. During the weekend, rowers can participate in the small boat, special boat and the noted Sulkava long boat race. Sulkava long boat crew consists of 14 rowers and a cox who paces them. Each rower has one oar and rows on a sliding bench. The cox also steers the boat and urges the rowers to their task. Most of the routes take the rowers around the isle of Partalansaari where they can enjoy the beautiful Finnish nature while competing.

Published Date:  Jul 03, 2012