By The International Paragliding Festival by the State Tourism Department began at Vagamon Adventure Park today with the co-organising Adventure Tourism Promotion Society’s CEO Binu Kuriakose flagging off the competitions at the five-day event.
Contests are being held in six categories, with 49 participants from eleven foreign countries. Of them, 15 are from abroad. The competitions will continue till this Sunday, with Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas attending the closing ceremony on March 22. The event will get over the next day.
The flagging-off ceremony was attended by Idukki Tourism Deputy Director Shine K.S., DTPC Secretary Jitheesh Jose, One Adventure representative Vinil Thomas and Paragliding Course Director Vijay Soni.
The event at Kolahalamedu is being organized with the approval and technical cooperation of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, which is the 1905-founded world governing body for air sports, besides the Aeroclub of India. Fly Vagamon is the local organizer.
The competitions are held in the following categories: Paragliding Accuracy (Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Women), Paragliding Accuracy (Team), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Women) and Paragliding Accuracy (Junior). The first, second, and third place winners in all categories will receive prizes of Rs 1.5 lakh, Rs 1 lakh, and Rs 50,000 respectively.
Kolahalamedu, located four km from Vagamon near Peerumedu, is among the best places for paragliding. Situated at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the place is particularly favourable for take-off and landing. Adding to the benefits are the cool climate, tea gardens, grasslands and the woods.
