Non-swimmer Malini Banerjee negotiated Boom Shanker, Pumphouse and Crow's Nest, all lovingly named rapids on the river Kundalika at Kolad, before she was knocked down by a furious Johnny Walker
Non-swimmer Malini Banerjee negotiated Boom Shanker, Pumphouse and Crow's Nest, all lovingly named rapids on the river Kundalika at Kolad, before she was knocked down by a furious Johnny Walker
For someone who hasn't ventuered into anything deeper than waist-high water, tackling Grade 4 rapids while white water rafting down the river Kundalika, didn't seem trouble-free.
Armed with "a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do" mantra, and the thought that if devil-may-care teenagers can do it on reality TV, so can we, we dove right in. With our life jackets strapped on tight, of course.
Case of a Missing Driver
Our weekend rafting adventure with tour operators Nomadic Quest was to unfurl 160 kms away from Mumbai, on the Kundalika River, near the Kolad Bhira Dam, off the Mumbai-Pune Highway. The plan was to hit the road at 3.30 am. But our driver had other ideas.
u00a0
He went incommunicado at 3.45 am only to emerge calm as a lama at 4.30 am. Luckily, he was a local and knew the road well enough to zip us to Kolad by 7.30 am, our reporting time. If you aren't as bleary eyed as we were, the ride along NH17 is a scenic one.
We were at Kolad village, and then off to Vile, a 45-minute ride, on the Mumbai-Pune Highway. Post a round of piping-hot Batata Vadas and chai later, we felt ready for the plunge with on-site rafting operators Wild River Adventures.
We Had Company
While completing written formalities, we experienced a mini moment of crashing gender barriers, as we scrawled a neat 'F' under a string of 'M's in the 'sex' column on the form. 
The rafting spot was 3 kms away from the site office, and we now had the company of four SUVs, filled with wannabe rafters, most of them from an ad firm.
Guide Raju thundered, "Does anybody have a medical problem? Back problems or leg-related?" A couple of quick instructions (it helps to pay attention at this point) included strapping your life jacket on tight, and helmet right so that it doesn't slip down and cover your eyes.
Row, Row Your Boat
Post another briefing on the riverbank, that included a make believe rafting session on dry land) later, we were off. From the banks, the river appeared like a wimpy stream, which we could navigate, blindfolded.
We were told rafting was impossible unless the gates of the nearby Bhira Dam were opened. It was past 9.30 am and the sun was beating down as we settled for a long, uncomfortable wait.
An hour later, the gates opened, and the water gushed down in sheets.
My co-rafters, eight enthusiastic ad guys who couldn't be more thrilled than a bunch of kids on the PlayStation, insisted on paddling even when we were instructed to stop.
What this meant was that our boat would veer in wrong directions leaving the hapless guide steering us back to course.
River Runs Wild
The first rapid to hit our raft took us by surprise. A member took his paddle off the water and hung on to the rope around the boat while the rest of the group paddled furiously.
u00a0
The fuming rapid had a name: Welcome to Buda. Next up, was Pumphouse, followed by Fisherman and Butterfly.
u00a0
The others Crow Nest, Key Wave and Bush on The Bend, all grade 1 and 2 rapids were negotiable, and soon we stopped for a breather at a nearby bank.
The real test lay ahead. Morning Headache and Johnny Walker smacked us hard. We cowered in the boat while our instructor shouted, "Get down". Paddling frantically, we held on to the rope for dear life. Side Step and Boom Shankar were easy pickings.
We covered 10 km before the water grew placid. That's when we were encouraged to jump off the raft. Bodysurfing in the cool waters, the sun gently warming your back a cosy footnote.
Wild River Adventures, Deep Sahyadri hotel, Vile village, Taluk, Mangaon, district Raigad.
Call: 9421942730 / 09880131762
The Nomadic Quest, 577/A Govind Kunj, 2nd floor, Khushaldas Parekh Marg, Matunga.
Call: 2416 2488 / 99696 69174
Rules Of The Game
Sit comfortably, more than halfway across the raft's edge, for a proper grip. Jam your feet under the front and cross tube. While paddling, use your body weight to row. If you fall into the water, the life jacket keeps you afloat so don't yell in panic.
What is a Rapid?
It's part of a river's course where the current is really fast. It is measured in grades, depending on their speed and force.
Do's and Dont's
Ensure your life jacket and helmet is strapped on tight
Don't yell or shout too loudly while rafting, as you may not be able to hear the instructor's commands
Carry bottled drinking water; rowing can be very hard work
Apply sufficient sunscreen, especially the waterproof variety, if you are averse to tanning
Must Carry
Sun hat or capu00a0
Sunglasses
Waterproof sunscreen
Chocolates and dry fruits as pocket snacks
Water bottle
Photo Identity (compulsory)
T-shirt or shirt, track pants or rafting shorts and a change of clothes, including innerwear
Windcheater
Floaters
Mosquito repellent
Howu00a0To Get There
BY ROAD: If you're driving down, take NH 17 from Vadkaal Naka. H 17 leads straight to Kolad where the road bifurcates towards Pune and Goa. Take the Pune route towards Vile where you register with Wild River Adventure.
u00a0
If with a large enough group, you can also book a trip with The Nomadic Quest. They depart from Dadar at 4.15 am and are back by 6.30pm.
Take a State Transport bus to Mahad from CST or Dadar TT and alight at Kolad. Local transport might be available from Kolad to Vile but we suggest it's best to hire a vehicle in advance, while booking the trip.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
