President’s Trophy Boat Race

The President’s Trophy Boat Race, is a prestigious event held at the palm-fringed, picturesque Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, the cashew paradise in Kerala. With the distinction of being the only regatta on the country in the name of the President of India, it reflects the ethos of this land of backwaters.

The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are the major attraction of the event. As the oarsmen throw their oars in unison to the fast paced rhythm of the vanchipattu (Song of the Boatsmen), the huge black carfts slice through pristine race course of Ashtamudi Lake to a spectacular finish. Hundreds of spectators, including tourists from abroad, thronging the lake front, erupts out of joy.

Set to become one of the major boat races in the region, the first edition of the prestigious event will be held on August 30.

Kollam Gears Up to Welcome The President

Kollam is gearing up to receive the President of India. The President is due to arrive here on August 29 to attend the inaugural President’s Trophy Boat Race at Ashtamudi Lake on August 30. Various departments would work in coordination to accord a warm welcome to the President and to beef up the security. A special pavilion will be erected for the President and other VIPs. Pavilions will be set up on all the five banks of the lake, among which four will be for general public and one for the rowers. The city will be cleaned up and decorated with illuminations as part of the event. The Collector has issued instructions to set up barricades and strengthen security at Asramam helipad, at the hotel where the President stays, boat race venue and on the banks of the lake. A special team led by senior police officers will be charge of the security. A medical team consisting of specialist doctors with ambulance facility has also been arranged.

On her arrival in Kollam, the President will be formally received at the helipad by Ms. Earnest, N. Peethambara Kurup, MP, Ministers from the district, and the District Collector. The Collector said the President would then move by road to ‘The Raviz‘ where she would stay with her immediate entourage. The Collector said 54 rooms had been booked in the hotel for the purpose.

Kollam All Set For President’s Trophy Boat Race

With a pulsating victory at the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the home team Jesus Boat Club (JBC) on the ‘Devas’ Chundan, is set to start as favourites in the inaugural Presidents’s Trophy Boat Race (PTBR). As many as 16 snake boats (chundans) are set to vie for top honours in the regatta to be held on August 30. The JBC, based in Padappakkara near kundara and captained by Syan Chacko is on a dream run this season and had edged the freedom club, Alappuzha on the karichal’s Chundan at the Nehru Trophy. The rivalry is expected to continue after photo finish results at the season opening of Champakkulam Moolam Boat Race and Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Both races won by JBC witnessed ensuing arguments between the boat clubs. With its absolute straight track with out any curves, the pristine waters of Ashtamudi expect to witness the fastest snake about races. The 1200 metre long, four- line track makes PTBR stand out from the rest of the boat races in the region. Uniqueness of the track is that the whole race can be viewed from any part of the banks of the race course. Organizers’ expect that this would be a major factor which will draw spectators to the race.

District Collector P G Thomas said that around two lakh people are expected to turn up for the event. An air-conditioned pavilion will be set up for President Prathibha Patil, who will be the Chief Guest of the event. The 15 meter long and five meter wide pavilion covered in bullet proof glass will be constructed under strict surveillance of the SPG. VIP Pavilions will be set up near the Kollam Boat Jetty, near the DTPC’s hotel Tamarind. General public will be given free pass to the pavilions near the Adventure Park and the banks of the race track. Identity cards will be made compulsory for entry due to security reasons. The registration of boats was completed on Monday and the draw of heats and tracks for the boats will be held on Tuesday Apart from the 16 snake boats ,six boats in Veppu A grade, four in veppu B grade four each in Iruttukuthi A and B grades and four boats in Thekkanodi category rowed by women, have been registered for the regatta.

The snake boats competing in the event will get a minimum bonus of Rs 1.30 lakh. The winners will get the replica of the President’s Trophy and a cash price of Rs 100000. The first runnerup will take home Rs. 75000 and the second runnerup will get Rs. 50000.

Boats

Chundans are supposed to be Navy boats of Chempakasserry rules. It has got a length of more than a hundred feet and usually more than a hundred people are on board. Both the ends of the boats are raised from the water level. The rear end has a height of about twenty feet from the surface of the water. Nearly eighty six persons are rowers, ten to fifteen are to give the rhythm, four are to steer the vessels. It is to be specially noted that the chundans have the maximum maneuverability among all sorts of race boats. The Chundan (Snake Boat) variety of Race Boats usually 38.5 to 48.5 koles (One koles being equivalent to 24 inches) long and accommodates 100 to 150 persons.

Oadis or Eruttukuthies have a different origin. They were used for smuggling. It is to be noted that they are seen in plenty in the costal areas near Cochin and suburbs. Their very design is for speed. Both the ends are a like .Maneuverability is little, practically nil. They are never turned and rowers. The Odi, also called Cheru Chundan has a length of 28.25 to 32.25 koles and has 40to 60 rowers.

Veppu Vallams (Paranthuvalans) are said to be boats that were used to carry stores for the soldiers on board and Chundans . Vaipu became Veppu by usage. Vaipu in Malayalam means cooking. The design and appearance of these vehicles differ from all other race boats. The length of Parunthuvalan varies from 28.25 to 32.25 koles and it accommodates 28 to 36 rowers.

Churulans are pleasure and they are considered to be the conveyance of rich people in older days. The Churulan Boats vary in length fron 12.25 to 20.25 koles and their crew ranges from 10 to 36 of the entire race Boats, the most imposing picturesque and costly is the Chundan (Snake Boat). The stern of the Snake Boat rises about 15 feet from water level, and is embellished with exquisite ornamental designs in burnished brass and wood. The extent of elaborate and expensive ornamentation ,characteristic of the local craftsmans skill , indicate the wealth and eminence of the owner of the boat ,Long and narrow ,the snake boats cut across the water with majesty and grace.

The race boats, in use in Kerala, have much a common with the war canoes of the old American Indian, the Maoris of New Zealand and some of aboriginal tribes of the tropical countries, especially in regard to the shape and build, and the manner and contrivances of propulsion.

Inauguration of the Official website of President’s Trophy Boat Race

Shri. R. Gopalakrishna Pillai, District Panchayath President inaugurated the official website of President’s Trophy Boat Race, Kollam at Collectorate conference hall. Shri.N. Peethambara Kurup M.P , Shri. P.G Thomas, District Collector, Kollam and other dignitaries were present at the function. Shri. V.K Satheesh Kumar, DIO NIC, Kollam has demonstrated the website. More details can be found at http://www.presidentstrophy.gov.in