New(ish) Blog!

Sorry guys, we haven't been great at keeping this blog up to date! Please follow www.mailagurung.blogspot.com for up to date info. Cheers and Happy Paddles The GRG's team

New years multi river kayak trip.

Starting on the 30th dec we are running a 9day multi giver kayak trip on Nepal.

Starting on the Trisuli river, we will then head to the Upper Seti, Marsyandi, Bhote Kosi and finally finish on the boulder garden of the Belephi.

If any one is interested in joining this trip, possibly the best New Years we can think of, then please contact us on info@grgadventurekayaking.com

New Office!

Check it out! Our new office...

Suman working hard.

Hmm...need a picture with our nice new floor on, but you get the idea!

If you want to find us, from Thamel Chowk (where all the supermarkets are), we are on the ground floor of the new complex next to the pharmacy, just under Metro Cafe.

Pop in for some Chiya or a chat!

1 year on

Firstly I would like to apoligise for the lack of posting on this blog. Since last November we have been non stop busy, so I thought I would take a moment to  update you on all GRG's goings on.

We have now been running for two years and have grown and grown. This year we have been on many sucessful rafting and kayaking trips, from day trips on the Trisuli and Bhote Kosi, trips on the Sun Kosi and Karnali and month expeditions all over the place. We have also started doing alot more trekking this year and have had regular trips up in the Annapurna. Not to mention all the other biking, sightseeing, paraglising, and safaris we have been on.

We are now the proud owners of several red rafts, many brand new kayaks and a whole heap of kit!

We have also moved our boat house and into a bigger, better located office. If you need kit being stored get in touch and we can give you the details of our boathouse.

Well, we promise to keep you better informed from now on. The easiest way to follow GRG goings on is to follow us on facebook.

Enjoy the rest of the season and Happy Paddling!

Christmas on the River.

We're getting in the Christmas spirit here in Nepal and are organising a 2 night 3 day trip to the Trisuli River to celebrate.

Day One (24th Dec) we will leave Kathmandu early in the morning and head straight to the river for a days raft. 17km and some big rapids later we'll arrive out our camp in Kuring Ghat and camp on a nice sandy beach.


Day Two (25th Dec) we'll be heading up to Manakama Cable Car. At the top is a local traditional temple. Its well worth the effort walking alittle bit further away from the crowds to see the valley below and the eagles soaring above. After the day there we will head back to the camp and have a big beach party to celebrate in style... Bonfires, BBQ's and Rum! We can't promise you a traditional Roast dinner, but our Buffalo Steak is the next best thing!


Day Three (26th Dec) we will either be rafting or kayaking, depending on what you would prefer to Mugling where we will then catch a bus back to Kathmandu (or Pokhara).

If you would like to join in on this trip or would like more information please email us on info@grgadventurekayaking.com or give us a call on +977 9841447561. Groups or individuals are welcome.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Himalayan Whitewater Championships 2009

On the 27^th-29^th November a small village along the Trisuli River was overrun with professional kayakers for the 9^th Himalayan Whitewater Championships (or the ‘Rodeo’ as it is locally known). With over 60 Nepali and International competitors, this competition was far from easy and they had to fight hard for a place at the top. Compared from 1992 when there were just 7 competitors, this event has grown and grown. Sponsored by NARA (National Association of Rafting Agents) and Paddle Nepal, these guys made sure the event ran smoothly.

The Rodeo is a great event to give Nepali kayakers who would not normally get the chance to compete at an international standard and show the world what they can really do. This year the world was certainly watching as we saw competitors from America, Canada, South Africa, Japan and even Russia!

The event combines a Slalom, Freestyle and a Down River Race. The Slalom comprised of 15 gates on the ‘Surprise Rapid’, 3 or 4 of which were upstream, making the kayakers cross the main flow of the river, really testing their skills. Next was the freestyle which gave people the chance to show off their playboating skills. Many opted for smaller playboats, but as competitors were only allowed one boat for the whole event it was a difficult choice to make. Points were awarded for loops, cartwheels and other stunts. After two or three heats, it whittled down the competitors to the main players and Santa Maila Gurung, coming third was the only kayaker left in a creek boat, Santosh Gurung and Anup Gurung who took second and first both using playboats. On the final day was the down river race. This was made harder this year as the course was extended to 17km, a lot of which was flat water. The ‘Le Mans’ start sorted the men out from the boys and many different tactics were used, some even ditched the idea of a sorting out their spray deck as they thought they would lose too much time. After a few kilometres gaps were appearing and the leaders pulled away from the pack. Once the team hit the Upset rapid, the largest rapid on the Trisuli, creek boats did much better than the smaller boats and many of the kayakers flipped. It was a close end, with Sean Bozkewycz coming in first. Although most the excitement was for the third position which saw two competitors sprint bare foot across the rocks, dragging their boats behind them to be first to cross the line. Photo finish!

The Rodeo isn’t just about kayaking. It’s a great way to spend a weekend and the parties in the evening sort out who the real kayakers are. This year we had a Hungarian DJ providing us with great tunes to dance the night away Nepali style!

On the final day, awards and prizes were given out to the winners of each event and an overall Champion. Kayak equipment was given to the locals and internationals won tour and adventure packages such as Bungee Jumps and Safari trips. Santa Maila Gurung of GRG’s Adventure Kayaking retained his title of Whitewater Champion for his third year taking home a brand new Jackson Riot to add to his collection. Many of the kayakers made beating Maila their goal this year and came to the river weeks in advance to practice their skills. Unfortunately for them he wiped the board, being the only competitor to come top three in all events and taking the overall win. He was closely followed by brothers Nim Bahadur Magar and Santosh Magar who also got to take home some fine equipment donated by Peak UK.

This year saw another big push for the Nepali Women’s team. Guided by Inka Trollas the girl’s team have got bigger and better. Susmita, who this year has had the opportunity to compete internationally, took the first place for the girls winning her second kayak in two years. Her younger sister, Goma, also did well this year and we hope for more and more girls to get involved in the coming years.

Another great Rodeo, enjoyed by hundreds of people from around the globe. Keep an eye out for next years event. We’re hoping to make it an even better event next yer. Perhaps this could be the start to get Nepali kayakers on the road to the Olympics or more international competitions.

If you would any more information on the Himalayan Whitewater Championship, please feel free to contact info@grgadventurekayaking.com.

To view more pictures of the Rodeo, please visit out facebook page.

It's Rafting Season in Nepal!

Hi everyone, we just thought we’d say a quick hello as the season is now in full swing!

This is my favourite time of year in Nepal, the rains have gone, there’s a festival every other day, the weather is cool, clear and crisp, the mountains are kind enough to show themselves even from the city and most importantly IT’S RAFTING SEASON!!!!

This year GRG’s has been having a great time. After returning from a month’s trip running a kayak expedition in Ladakh, we came straight to Nepal just in time for the start of the raft season and haven’t sat down yet (except to write the occasional blog and check facebook every now and then!).

So far we have been lucky enough to raft and kayak the Trisuli, Bhote Kosi and the Sun Kosi and our first trip to the Marsyandi leaves in just over a week. Not to mention the mountain bike trips, sightseeing tours and safaris we’ve been on.

If you have a day, a weekend or even a month and fancy a trip down one of our exhilarating rivers get in touch and we’ll show you the way to paddle!

Thanks to everyone that has already been on trips with us, we’ve made some great friends and we’re looking forward to your return…we know that you will!! We're off to paddle the Sun Kosi for a week now.

Enjoy the season and remember…

LIVE THE ADVENTURE


(If you would like any information on the trips we run please feel free to email us at info@grgadventurekayaking.com Departure dates are listed to the side but if you have a group of 6 or more we can tailor make a trip just for you. Happy Paddling!)