Imagine driving 40 kms away from Panjimcity and heading straight into the woods of Valpoi and then going down uphillanother 20 kms into the secluded forest of Ustem village, before you hit a raftand dunk into the rapids of the swelling Mhadei River.
“The 90 minute ten kms stretchfrom Ustem village to Sonal village of whitewater rafting in Sattari taluka, isso similar to rafting in the Amazon, especially from July to October when theriver is swelling with water and zooms at high speeds. I am so happy to betaking first timers here and giving them that experience,” stated John Pollardof Southern River Expeditions who organizes the rafting on behalf of Goatourism. John asserts that all that rafting needs are large volumes of waterand some rocks to create rapids and add to the fun.
Mhadei originates from a clusterof 30 springs at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats in the Belgaum district,Karnataka and flows into Goa. The United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization, (UNESCO), has identified and added the Western Ghats toits World Heritage List, where the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, underthe leadership of Nilesh Cabral, has taken up this initiative to encourageGoans and tourists to take some time out of venturing to the beach and opt fora journey down the Mahdei River.
The river rafting facility startedin July and is available till October 15, subject to availability of rapids andadequate water currents, and suitable weather conditions.
John speaks about the safetyaspect and asserts, “In India, elders instill this fear in their children tonot venture into water. Swimming at a young age isnot really encouraged. In a few minutes we break this fear and even throw someparticipants into the river and rescue them, just to demonstrate how safe itis. If the weather is good, we let participants jump into the Mhadei and justdrift along, as they float in their life jackets. A water sport is about havingfun.”
John who quit his daily routinejob as an engineer in the UK way back in 1992 has been in India organizingrafting along Dandeli, Surla and Goa after a long stint in swimming across theGanges in the North. “People are so surprised that we organize rafting in Goawith inflatable rubber rafts. People think rafting is only for the Ganges inthe Northern India,” asserted John.
John’s assistants take youthrough a splendid journey, splashing ice cold water along the Mhadei, while washedout rocks, massive bee hives and huge trees add to the beauty along the banks.It is a journey which ends with spicy mirchis and chai at Sonal Village, as youdry off your soaked clothes and water filled shoes.
