Shillong, Oct 13: The Megha Kayak Fest 2025 is returning once again from 14th to 18th October to the picturesque Shillong Whitewater Village at Umtham, Ri-Bhoi.
Marking its seventh edition, this year’s festival will reach a historic milestone as it hosts the inaugural Asian Extreme Kayak Championship, where some of the best paddlers from Asia and beyond will come to Umtrew River for the thrilling competition.
The event is being organised by the Ri-Bhoi Water Sports & Tourism Corporation Society with support from the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs along with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA). Registration for participants will begin at the Shillong Whitewater Village on 14th October and will be opened to kayakers of all levels to take part.
The festival will showcase Down River Sprint and the Canoe Slalom Cross for men and women of all ages and skills. This year’s addition of the Asian Extreme Kayak Championship marks a new chapter for the festival, introducing the Extreme Sprint and Enduro formats that will push athletes to their limits on the challenging Umtrew rapids.
In keeping with the festival’s dedication to gender equality and inclusiveness in adventure sports, the prize money will remain the same for all categories for both Indian and international participants – a cash prize of Rs 30,000 for both first prize winners in both male and female category of the Down River Sprint, Kayak Cross race and Kayak Cross, a cash prize of Rs 75,000 for the overall winner and a cash prize of Rs 30,000 for the Extreme Kayak Sprint and Enduro winners in the male and female category.
The Megha Kayak Fest has since its inception evolved into one of Asia’s top whitewater festivals, drawing professionals as well as amateur paddlers into the spotlight from all over the world. Over 80 kayakers from nations like India, Nepal, and the UK have participated in previous editions, making it the biggest extreme kayaking competition in the Indian subcontinent.
(File photo)
