I am writing my own experience . How i start the kayaking in alleppey ? How to get this idea about kayaking ? What are difficulties faced to set this kayaking tour ?
I am start my tourism carrier on 2006 to work as an Accounts Assistant in houseboat company . after couple of month i turned to clients relation as well. after one year ago my manager is resigned so i am the in-charge of the company . On 2008 i am started a firm in the " Kerala Canoe Tourism" to operate Canoe tours and houseboat reservation . Houseboat has lots limitation because it won’t goes to small canal and doesn’t create a backwater experience. Also we operating Canoe Cruise (Shikkara) through small canal on 2008 onwards but Sit Long time in the boat it not good. So we thought to give something to interesting .This points are created the Idea of Kayaking tour.
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| Our Shikkara Boat (Support Boat) |
I seen lots travelers visit small canal in punting boat , when i check that boats cruise routes i am shocked to know that 90 % routes are repeat visit and cover small portion of backwaters . ( I will write more about this tour on next article )
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| Traditional canoe boat |
1st i plan to buy traditional canoe to attach in our shikkara boat (see image) so it help the travelers can visit small canal. when i approach fiber boat builders their i see a sports kayak but that kayak will not work for tourism. only experienced person can use that . I asked boat builder you build a new kayak but under body is flat so it help the travelers to easy to use And order it 3 kayaks. We wait more than 8 months after he replied that , “ They don’t have mold and we need to give order for 100 Kayaks then only the mold can build” how can we give 100 orders ?
I am so depressed about this incident . after couple of day i search on Google about kayak and to see the images . i seen kayak under body is flat . click that image then i know that kayak called " Sit On Top Kayak" then i searched dealer of that kayak . I get quote from lots dealers all over the world but every has the problems with shipment. But finally i finished all my works ordered 2 kayaks without get any support from my family . That was a beginning of Sit – On – Top Kayak Tour in Alleppey Backwaters . Kerala Kayaking is 1st Kayak tour operator in alleppey also in Kerala.
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| 1st Client paddling in the Backwaters |
I take more then 1 and half years to complete all those process . But some one is copied my idea after 6 month that is second thing . I like that because that means my idea is successful . I start kayaking tour on 12/12/11 . But i didn't get any single inquiry when i passing a high season. lots people tease me and said your spoil your money. But i walk forward ..
This is blogs of Mr Jason Luck , one of my great customer . He wrote a article about tour 7 Hours tour http://www.meiguoman.com/travel-2/asia-travel/kayaking-kerala/
Now Kerala Kayaking achieved
1) No:1 activity in Allleppey according tour TripAdvisor
2) Keep 3,4,5 Position in Kerala TripAdvisor page
3) Lonely planet travel writer ( Mr. Paul Harding) experienced our tour last August
4) 99.99 % Satisfied customers
More details about our tours log on www.keralakayaking.com
