Paddle Boarding Bay of Bengal, India

Written by Sanjay Samantaray

India is older than your great grandparents but the sport of stand up paddle has just begun to make its way to India's storied waterways. Be the first to explore this country by SUP and let Surfing Yogis show you how.

This dude is standing on a BOAT, in a LAGOON, in INDIA. Impressed?

 

Introduction

 

World heritage monuments, powerful waves, and crystal clear waterways around the Bay of Bengal has inspired the young surfing club Surfing Yogis to introduce stand up paddle boards in this tropical paradise. Although it is relatively new to this region, SUP is accepted and considered one of the more environmentally conscious ways to explore the bayside sanctuary through the rivers meeting the ocean in its natural form. Since ancient time, the cosmic solar healing properties of this area continue to improve yogic powers.

 

Summary

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1	The best time to stand up paddle is late Fall to early Spring.
2	Always make sure ot stay hydrated in the warm, humid weather.
3	Take in historic sights such as the Sum Temple of Konark.
4	Don't miss Chilika Lake and its melange of endangered wildlife.

 

Seasons

 

Late Fall to Early Spring The sun sets over Chilika Lake

The season to catch wind free rides is from November to March. During these months the temperature is in a comfortable range of between 15 to 17 degrees Celsius. The temperature can also spike up to 30 degrees Celsius during this time of year so it is best to stay hydrated and to keep an eye on the thermometer before going out for a paddle. Humidity can get up to 60% during the months of February and March so forget about staying dry in or out of the water.

The weather becomes hot, humid and windy by the beginning of April and gets worse when spring melts into a sweltering summer, forcing most outdoor activities to be undertaken in the wee hours of the morning or the tired hours of the late afternoon. Orissa is also subject to intense cyclones in late summer and early fall so it is best to heed the warnings of high winds before testing your mettle against these tropical beasts. (Join Destination Group.)

 

Remember

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1	November to March is best for low winds and mild temps
2	Don't test your upwind skills in a cyclone (you will lose)
3	Stay hydrated in the humid air and choose cooler hours to paddle in

 

 

 

 

 

Hot Spots

 

Kushavadra River

Explore the Kushavadra River by stand up paddleboard This is the best of the three river mouths around the campus of Surfing Yogis that are used for SUP. All these rivers pass through dense forest and temples before meeting the ocean at the Bay of Bengal. This paddle zone is the most beautiful, consisting of vegetation grounds for black buck deer, migratory birds and turtles. Before heading out to the waves of the Bay of Bengal from the calm waters of the Kushavadra River, relax at the eco resort on beach. Other sights to see in this area include the ancient Sun Temple of Konark, a 12th century World Heritage Site depicting the architectural wonder of sun worshiping, yoga, dance, and eroticism in stone.

HIGHLIGHTS 1 The best of the three river mouths is the Kushavadra River 2 Head into the Bay of Bengal through lush forest and temples 3 Make sure to take a detour to check out the Sun Temple of Konark

 

Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is teeming with wildlife Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the World. It is spread over the Puri, Khurda, and Ganjam Districts of Orissa and is located at the mouth of the Daya River, which flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is teeming with islands, wildlife, ancient monuments, villages, and virgin beaches just waiting to be discovered by stand up paddleboard. Because it is the largest wintering grounds for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent, it is a prime place to take in breathtaking views of avifauna. In the center of Chilika Lake lies the Nalbana Island, home to a bird sanctuary where one can see thousands of birds feeding during the migratory season. The lake is also home to numerous endangered species, including the Irrawaddy Dolphin. (Join Destination Group.)

HIGHLIGHTS 1 Chilika Lake is the largest salt water lagoon in India 2 Thousands of migratory bird species can be found here 3 Home to many rare and endangered species

 

Other Paddlers

 

Because stand up paddling in India is as new as those Boston kids on the block back in 1984, there aren’t many current paddlers to meet up with. But because the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal is home to many resorts and tourist attractions, both domestic and international, the environment is rich for growth. Currently, Surfing Yogis is the only organization on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal to offer stand up paddle to the public.

Blaze your own SUP trail before things get crowded

Contacts 1 Sanjay Samantaray runs Surfing Yogis and can be contacted at [email protected]

 

About the Author

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Back in 1991 I led a team on a coastal expedition of India. Ever since then, adventure on the beach has been my passion. This passion inspired me to create an organization in 2002 called the Rangers Adventure Foundation in the bay side forest on Puri Konark Marine Drive Highway. The organization is a unique place for camping facilities on a secluded beach hideout. In April of 2011 I founded the first surfing club of India with support and assistance from an Australian surfer names Justin and a Hawaiian SUP surfer named Jogi. At present, Surfing Yogis offers both surf and SUP expeditions in the beautiful state of Orissa, well known for its meandering rivers and peaceful lagoons.

 

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