Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2012 - A Water Olympics!

Nehru Trophy Boat Race , the most competitive and popular of the boat race is an annual event which is organized at the Punnamda Lake, near Alappuzha. The snake boat race will be held on the second saturday of august. In connection with the diamond jubilee of the nehru trophy boat race, the race is to be made into a three day event this year, on August 9, 10, 11.

The three-day event will kick off with the competitions of small boats and friendly race off snake boats. Kayaking, canoeing and competitions of speedboat will be held on the second day and the event will conclude with the snake boat race on the final day.

On the day of the event, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with an estimated two lakh people.

The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats chundanvallams or snake boats.Chundans (snake boats) are an impressive sight, measuring over 100 feet in length, with a raised prow. Each snake boat accommodates 100+ rowers sitting in two rows and 5 other oarsmen. There are other group of people standing in between; singing the ‘Vanchi-pattu’ (boat songs with hymns) which gives a rhythm for the rowers to charge forward, all-together.

This synchronized way of rowing needs long and devoted training and inherent aptitude. Team work is so important that even a silly neglected act of one participant can lead a boat to lose the race.
when the boats race to finishing point, the atmosphere will be beyond words !!!

Technical Specifications

Track length – 1400 M.
Chundan -
Amaram - 5 Persons
Nilakkar - 5 Persons
Total no. of team members- 111
Tracks –
4 tracks of 10 M. wide from East.

How to reach Alappuzha

080 Km. South of Cochin International Airport – 70 minutes journey by NH 47
062 Km. South of Kochi – An hour drive from Kochi by NH 47
170 Km. North of Kovalam – 3 ½ hours journey by NH 47
155 Km. North of Trivandrum – 3 hours journey by NH 47
125 Km. West of Thekkady – 3 hours journey by road
050 Km. West of Kottayam – 1 hour journey by road

Distance

80 Km south of Cochin International air port . 70 minutes journey by N.H 47.
60 Km South of Cochi . An hour's drive from Cochi by N.H.47.
170 Km North of Kovalam . 3 & 1/2 hour's journey by N.H 47.
125 Km West of Thekkady . 3 hour's journey by N.H 47.
From Alappuzha Railway station to venue about 5 Km.
From Alappuzha K.S.R.T.C Bus station to venue-Walkable distance.

Reach Alappuzha before 11 AM and occupy your seats.
Boat Services will be available from 10 AM to 12 Noon
After 12 noon boat service will not be available


source: boat races

Posted in: Alappuzha,Boat Race