Trishuli River Kayak Clinic

Before joining the Trishuli River Kayak Clinic, please review the following important information to prepare for a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable kayaking experience.

1. Experience Level

• The clinic is suitable for beginners and developing kayakers.
• No previous whitewater kayaking experience is required for beginner-level training.
• Participants with previous kayaking experience can receive more advanced instruction.
• Training is progressive and adjusted according to individual ability.

2. Physical Fitness

• Kayaking is an active outdoor sport and requires a reasonable level of physical fitness.
• Participants should be comfortable with paddling, swimming or being in moving water, and spending several hours outdoors.
• Inform the instructor before the trip about any physical limitations that may affect participation.

3. Swimming Ability

• Participants should be comfortable in water.
• Basic swimming ability is strongly recommended.
• Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is mandatory during river sessions.

4. River Conditions

• The Trishuli River changes considerably according to season, rainfall and water level.
• Training sections and difficulty may be changed according to actual river conditions.
• The instructor has the final decision regarding suitable training areas and river runs.
• The planned route may be modified when conditions are considered unsuitable.

5. Weather

• Weather in the river valley can change quickly.
• Rain, strong winds, cold temperatures or other conditions may affect the program.
• The itinerary may be adjusted for safety when necessary.

6. Safety First

• A safety briefing is provided before entering the river.
• Participants must follow the instructor's instructions throughout the program.
• Appropriate kayaking equipment must be worn during river sessions.
• Rescue procedures and river communication are introduced as part of the training.
• Never enter a rapid or river section without the instructor's approval.

7. Kayaking Equipment

Depending on the selected program, essential kayaking equipment may include:

• Whitewater kayak
• Paddle
• Helmet
• Personal flotation device
• Spray deck
• Safety and rescue equipment
• First-aid equipment

Participants should check the equipment before entering the river and immediately report any problem to the instructor.

8. What to Wear

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for getting wet.

Recommended:

• Quick-dry shirt and shorts/trousers
• Swimwear
• Secure river shoes
• Warm layer for cooler weather
• Sun protection
• Sunglasses with a secure retaining strap

Avoid loose items that can easily fall into the river.

9. What to Bring

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Personal medication
• Small personal toiletries
• Sunglasses with a strap
• Extra dry clothes
• Small dry bag for essential items
• Travel documents and insurance information

10. Valuables

Do not take unnecessary valuables onto the river.

Mobile phones, cameras, wallets, passports and other valuables should be kept in a secure location or waterproof storage where available.

11. Transportation

The standard route generally follows:

Kathmandu → Prithvi Highway → Galchi → Malekhu → Charaudi → Trishuli River

Transportation arrangements depend on the selected package and training duration.

12. Training Location

Training is conducted at suitable sections of the Trishuli River, with the exact location selected according to:

• Participant experience
• Water level
• Weather
• River conditions
• Training objectives
• Safety considerations

13. Training Progression

The clinic may progress through:

• Basic paddle strokes
• Balance and boat control
• Turning techniques
• Bracing
• Eddy turns
• Ferrying
• River reading
• Wave and current management
• Whitewater navigation
• Rescue awareness
• Rolling practice where appropriate

Not every participant will progress at the same pace. Training is based on ability rather than simply following a fixed difficulty level.

14. Food and Accommodation

For multi-day clinics, accommodation and meals can be arranged according to the selected package.

For day programs, participants should confirm whether meals and refreshments are included before booking.

15. Age Requirement

Age requirements may vary depending on the training program, river conditions and participant ability.

Children or younger participants should be discussed with the instructor in advance so that suitable training conditions and equipment can be assessed.

16. Health & Medical Information

Participants should inform the instructor about any relevant physical limitations, allergies or conditions that could affect participation.

Personal medication should be carried by the participant when required.

17. Insurance

Personal travel and adventure sports insurance is recommended.

Check that your policy covers the type of kayaking activity and destination included in your trip.

18. Environmental Responsibility

The Trishuli River is an important natural environment.

Participants are expected to:

• Avoid littering
• Carry waste back when appropriate
• Respect local communities
• Avoid damaging vegetation and river surroundings
• Follow responsible outdoor practices

19. Photography

Photography is possible at suitable locations, but personal cameras and phones should be protected from water.

Do not attempt to photograph yourself while paddling if doing so compromises your safety or control of the kayak.

20. Booking

Advance booking is recommended, particularly during the main kayaking season.

When booking, provide:

• Preferred date
• Number of participants
• Previous kayaking experience
• Approximate age of participants
• Preferred duration
• Transportation requirements
• Accommodation requirements, if applicable

21. Cancellation & Changes

The itinerary may need to change because of:

• High or unusually low water levels
• Heavy rainfall
• Unsafe weather
• River hazards
• Road conditions
• Other safety considerations

Where conditions are unsuitable, the training may be postponed, relocated or modified.

22. Important Safety Notice

Whitewater kayaking is an adventure activity with inherent risks. Participants must understand that river conditions can change rapidly. Following the instructor's instructions, wearing the required safety equipment and respecting the selected river section are essential.

The kayaking instructor may stop, modify or relocate the training whenever conditions are considered unsuitable.

23. Best Time to Join

The Trishuli River can offer different kayaking conditions throughout the year. October to May is generally suitable for structured kayaking training, while river levels vary with seasonal rainfall.

The best training section is determined according to the participant's experience and the river conditions on the day.

24. Final Reminder

Come prepared to learn, practice and improve. The goal of the clinic is not simply to run rapids, but to develop sound kayaking fundamentals, river awareness, safety skills and confidence that participants can continue building on future rivers.