Malabar River Festival (MRF)
About this event
South India's premier international white-water kayaking championship, held every July on the Iruvanjipuzha and Chalipuzha rivers in Kozhikode district.
South India's Whitewater Championship
The Malabar River Festival is an international white-water kayaking competition held annually in the Thusharagiri area of Kozhikode district, on the Iruvanjipuzha and Chalipuzha rivers. Organized by the Department of Tourism (Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society) and DTPC Kozhikode, it has been named among the world's top five white-water kayak festivals by Kayak Session Magazine.
What to Expect
Kayakers from 15+ countries compete across categories such as extreme race, boater cross and giant slalom, alongside intermediate and professional events. It's a thrilling spectacle for adventure lovers set amid the Western Ghats' monsoon-fed rivers.
Good to Know
The festival is typically held over four days in late July (peak monsoon). The 11th edition ran July 24–27, 2025. Competitor registration fees apply; spectators can watch the action riverside.