First women`s river guide training in Nepal

First women’s river guide training in Nepal
12 November – 20 December 2008
“Women don´t need sympathy, they need education and opportunity”
Lucky K Chhetri, Empowering Women of Nepal
Susmita Rai is the first female winner of the kayak competition Himalayan Whitewater Challenge
Organised by: Himalayan River Guide Association
Coordinator: Inka / Far Away Adventures
Report prepared by: Inka, January 2009
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Introduction:
This river guide training program is part of a project of empowering Nepali
women and introducing them into Nepals rafting industry. Through our work in
2008, setting up the club “Himalayan River Girls” and organising this
professional training program we intended to produce a group of female river
guides to work on the rivers in Nepals river rafting industry as safety kayakers,
raft guides and kayak instructors.
The skills acquired in the program are meant to provide the Nepali women
with the perfect base to start training and eventually work and support
themselves as employees or freelance guides with Nepali rafting operators.
The training included:
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White water kayaking on class II-III-rivers
White water raft guiding on class II- III-rivers
River rescue
First aid
Communication skills including the proper way of communicating
professionally with colleagues and clients in both English and Nepali
Cooking for large groups on the riverside
Setting camp with tents and shelters
Planning and preparation of commercial trips and leadership skills
Kayaking competition rules & regulations
Equipment maintenance
Project progress in 2008:
April: Kayaking training provided by Inka on Fewa lake in Pokhara, Seti river
and Bhote Koshi river. The club “Himalayan River Girls” was formed.
May-August: Funding and equipment for the club and training program was
advertised for and collected. At the same time the Nepali ladies trained
kayaking through the club with help from local rafting companies.
1 Sep: Two women from “Himalayan River Girls” were employed as trainee
river guides by Equator Expeditions.
15 – 19 Sep: HRGAN advertised the training program in newspapers and on
radio.
4 Nov: Inka presented the training program at a press conference organised
by Nepal Association of Rafting Agents at Nepal Tourism Board.
4 – 10 Nov: Inka made interviews with Nepali women and checked their
water abilities in swimmingpool in Vaishali hotel and Mahendra Police Health
Club. Their swimming skills, comfort with water, eagerness to learn were
investigated.
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10 November: A team of 7 women were selected for the training program.
11 - 13 Nov: Training swimming and basic kayaking skills with team of
western female volunteer instructors.
14 - 15 Nov: Training white water kayaking at Sukute Beach Resort, Bhote
Koshi river, with western female volunteer instructors.
16 – 25 Nov: The training team joined with a western team on a river trip on
the Sun Kosi river with Equator Expeditions to get experience of commercial
rafting, kayaking, learning to set up camp, cook western food for a big group
and interacting with tourists. On the trip 23 foreign female kayakers helped to
teach, support and inspire the Nepali ladies. A film team was also present to
make two documentaries about the project.
26 - 27 Nov: Days spent on the Trisuli to rest and to prepare for upcoming
event.
28 - 30 Nov: Peak UK Himalayan Whitewater Challenge took place at Fishling
and Kuringath on the Trisuli river. The event is Nepals national white water
kayaking championship. It involves many Nepali river guides as well as
western kayakers who travel to Nepal to do kayaking. This year more than
100 competitors entered. The kayaking events are slalom, freestyle and down
river race. 2 women from our training program and 1 other woman who has
joined the club took part in the kayaking competition and 8 women from the
training program took part as first Nepali female rafting team in the river race.
This was the first time Nepali women took part in the Nepali kayaking
championship.
1 - 5 Dec: Raft guide training on the Trisuli with H.R.G.A.N. In this course the
ladies were taught time management, team work, equipment loading,
hydraulics, river reading, raft guiding on paddle raft and oar raft.
6 - 10 Dec: White Water Rescue Technician. This course is designed
specifically for professional guides. It is an intensive, hands-on course where
the students learn to use techniques and simple equipment to assess and
perform river rescues. The course took place at the Bhote Koshi river.
11 Dec: Rest day in Kathmandu and preparation for upcoming training.
12 - 15 Dec: Raft guide training on the Trisuli river continued.
16 - 18 Dec: Raft guide training and kayaking training on lower Seti river. This
trip was also joined by foreign volunteer instructors. All program participators
now guided raft in class III rapids and practised raft flips and Eskimo rolls.
19 Dec: Basic First Aid course in Kathmandu.
20 Dec: Press-conference at NTB organised by HRGAN. Celebration meal
and certificate giving ceremony.
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Background:
Nepal is one of the most famous countries in the world for white water
kayaking and rafting. Ask any well travelled global white water paddler and he
or she will agree. With the high Himalayas, guaranteed snow and rain feeding
rivers in the numerous and beautiful valleys, Nepal is a perfect playground for
those that love to explore a country by boat and those who just simply love
the adventure of the sport of kayaking.
There are currently over 100 rafting companies registered in Nepal. Fifteen
years ago most of the river guides, kayak instructors and safety kayakers
were western. Since then, things have changed and Nepal has a
considerable and proud pool of professional river guides. The many
challenging rivers in Nepal have made Nepali river guides develop unusually
competent skills. With this, they have gained respect throughout the world and
often get offered work in the rafting industry in countries like Norway, Iceland,
Japan, Bhutan and the USA. They also do very well competing at the same
level against western professional kayakers in the annual international Peak
UK White Water Challenge competition and have on several occasions
competed in world championships
100% of the Nepali river guides and kayak instructors in Nepal have until
this project started been male, reflecting the country’s out-of-date view on
equality. Of course, working as a river guide can be hard physical work. It also
means being away from home and practicing what is perceived to be an
‘extreme sport’, but the women who have recently started kayaking in Nepal
are now proving that Nepali women also can, and have an interest to learn
kayaking.
The fact that over a hundred women are currently working as trekking
guides in Nepal and that the British army is now starting to recruit Nepali
ladies is also proof that Nepali women are strong and like their male
counterparts, have an interest in developing alternative adventurous skills.
Even in the western world most river guides are male, but the females that do
guide in the kayak industry are very appreciated and are often requested for
women only trips. A female tourist will often appreciate having a female guide
on a river trip for safety, friendship and in the interest of equality between the
sexes. As the river tourists in Nepal are mainly western, we strongly believe
that the rafting companies will benefit from employing female guides.
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Vision:
For most women in Nepal a job in the rafting industry would be impossible
as they will marry young and need to live at home looking after the family or
will be committed to a less adventurous career. But for many women in Nepal
this kind of work will be a good opportunity for an amazing change in their
life, perhaps a way out of misery, poverty or boredom. In particular this would
be a chance for those who come from difficult backgrounds having escaped
from violent marriages or being widowed or simply divorced. For young
adventurous women it might just be the dream career. Whatever their
background the dream of this project is to see the Nepali women teaching
female tourists kayaking, to see them competing in international kayaking
events and ultimately we would like to see Nepali women guiding groups of
tourists on the beautiful rivers of Nepal.
Conclusion / Result:
We believe that this training program has been a big success. Not only
the training has been professional and successful with the whole team
completing the course. Five of Nepals biggest rafting companies have
declared that they want to employ these ladies. Through media following the
training progress and the entering of Himalayan White Water Challenge, we
believe that we have now planted the idea that females can do river guiding.
We have also reached out to many females with adventurous interest and
already have enquiries for participating in next training program. On top of
this, with a lot of foreign media, including two documentaries being made
about this project, we are sure that this project will also generate good
promotion for Nepals rafting industry and tourism industry in whole.
The club: Himalayan River Girls:
At the time of this report being written, there are now fourteen Nepali
members of Himalayan River Girls. Through the club these women will
constantly get support and can use club equipment for training. Through our
sponsors we have collected as many as sixteen kayaks for the club.
List of club members: (Ladies in bold took part in the training program)
Radha Tamang (Employed by Ultimate Descents Nepal from 1 Feb 2009)
Anita Sapkota
Rama Shrestha
Sambhavi Karki
Hasila Shrestha
Pasang Sherpa (Employed by Ultimate Descents Nepal from 1 Feb 2009)
Kamala Chepang
Sita Thapa (Employed by Equator Expeditions from 1 Sep 2008)
Susmita Rai (Employed by Equator Expeditions from 1 Sep 2008)
Mina Gurung (Freelance raft guide since 1999) (Only female river guide before 2008)
Anu Shrestha (Employed by Royal Beach from 1 Sep 2007)
Sushila Shrestha (Receives after school training with Equator Expeditions from 18 Oct 2008)
Kamala Magar (Employed by Equator Expeditions from 19 Oct 2008)
Mona Acharya (Employed by Equator Expeditions from 1 Oct 2008)
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Sponsors and supporters:
Main sponsors
Bivouac / Outdoor
Canoe and Kayak
Far Away Adventures
Fergs Kayaks
Fiskarhedenvillan
Icebreaker
Immersion Research
Jackson Kayak
Kajaktiv AB
KAVU
KEEN Footwear
Lions Club International
North Water
Protec Helmets
Skirtworks
XLENT Strategy
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sweden
New Zealand
Sweden
New Zeeland
USA
USA
Sweden
USA
USA
New Zealand
Canada
USA
USA
Sweden
Other sponsors / supporters
Adrenalin Rush
Adventure Element
Amandas Intima
Carve Designs
Cumec
Day Two
Drift Nepal
Eco Treks
Equator Expeditions
Ganesh Kayak Shop
Hydraulics
Initiative Outdoor
Macpac
Mest Fors
Nodan Club
OPC
Outward Bound
Paddle Nepal
Paddler Zone
Paddles Magazine
Peak UK
Rainwater Activities
Royal Beach
Shewee
Singapore Airlines
The Wall
Tidingen Outside
Tidningen Paddling
Tongariro River Rafting
Ultimate Descents Nepal
Wet n Wild rafting
White Water Nepal
Nepal
U.K.
Sweden
U.S.A.
New Zealand
New Zealand
Nepal
Nepal
Nepal
Nepal
New Zealand
Nepal
New Zealand
Sweden
Nepal
New Zealand
New Zealand
Nepal
New Zealand
U.K.
U.K.
U.K.
Nepal
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sweden
Sweden
New Zealand
Nepal
New Zealand
Australia
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Private donations / support
Alison Homer
Anna Bruno
Anna White
Annis Nyberg
Ashley Cortney
Barb Hoskins
Becky Smith
Bev and Trev Bayly
Bronie Clayton
Cecilia Nilsson
Chianti Quinn
Chris Hoskins
Christie Glissmeyer
damerna på KI
David Levrén
Emi Earle
Francesca Garibaldi
Girls at Western Hights Highschool
Graham and Vivienne Camion
Greg and Hillary Turnbull
Hester Hilbink
Ida Jansson
Jenny and Allan Neilson
Jill Marie Stokes
John and Meagan Ward
John Hooker
Josh Neilson
Karin & Magnus Trollsås
Kelly Blayney
Kicki Engdahl
Lars Larsson
Laura Clayton
Lena Cedrenius
Lilli Winter
Liv Greve-Isdahl
Liza Negriff
Malaika Davies
Malin Bergman
Malin Strand
Maria Toreblad
Mike Hoskins
Mike Ward
Monica Gokey
Naresh Kumar
Nic Hoskins
Peter Knowles
Sofia Tranaeus
Sonja Jankowfski
Sophie Hoskins
Stefan Erdman
Storm Freeman
Terry and Stephen Leggart
Ute Cappel
Ville Arkonkoski
Whitney Hansen
Yvonne Horvath
Canada
U.S.A
New Zealand
Sweden
U.S.A.
New Zealand
Wales
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sweden
Canada
New Zealand
U.S.A.
Sweden
Sweden
New Zealand
U.S.A.
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sweden
New Zealand
U.S.A.
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sweden
New Zealand
Sweden
Sweden
New Zealand
Sweden
Switzerland
Sweden
U.S.A.
New Zealand
Sweden
Sweden
Sweden
New Zealand
New Zealand
U.S.A.
India
New Zealand
U.K.
Sweden
Germany
New Zealand
Sweden
U.S.A.
New Zealand
Germany
Finland
U.S.A.
Sweden
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Economic report:
DONATED MONEY
Name
Francesa Garibaldi
Lena Karlsson
Storm Freeman
Sofia Traneus
Liza Negriff
Rental fee for club paddle
Donations from New Zealand
Raffle in New Zealand
Other donations New Zealand
Uppsala Paddlar Klubb
Whitney Hansen
Fiskarhedenvillan
Far Away Adventures
XLENT Strategies
Karolina Ehrlén
Nepal River Conservation Trust
Amount
Total amount donated:
48,00
96,00
24,00
48,00
24,00
4,00
16,00
50,00
11000,00
318,00
480,00
10000,00
12300,00
4000,00
500,00
5000,00
Currency
USD
USD
USD
USD
USD
USD
USD
USD
NPR
USD
USD
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
NPR
Method
Paypal
Paypal
Paypal
Paypal
Paypal
cash
cash
cash
cash
Paypal
Paypal
bank transfer
bank transfer
bank transfer
bank transfer
cash
36735,00
4668,00
SEK
USD
calc. 10 jan 09
Amount
6300,00
5502,00
2860,00
1558,00
830,00
12035,00
1553,00
3695,75
Currency
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
SEK
34333,75
4362,00
SEK
USD
calc. 10 jan 09
2401,25
306,00
SEK
USD
calc. 10 jan 09
TOTAL COSTS
Cost
Instructors from Nepals Guide Association
Food for students and instructors
Transportation
Accomodation for students in Kathmandu
Entrance fees swimmingpool
White Water Rescue Technician course
Closing ceremony food, snacks etc.
Sanitary goods, rental sleeping bags etc.
Total cost:
Result:
The result will be used in the Nepali Girls Kayaking Club 2009
Treasurer: Inka Trollsås / Far Away Adventures
Engelbrekts väg 65, 191 62 Sollentuna, Sweden
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Project Contacts:
For more information and pictures on the project / club please visit following
sites:
http://www.farawayadventures.com/nepaligirlkayakers.php
http://nepaligirlskayak.blogspot.com
Project coordinator: Inka Trollsås, Far Away Adventures.
Inka@farawayadventures.com / +46 (0)73 814 05 70 / +977 9841 347 977
http://www.farawayadventures.com/nepaligirlkayakers.php
Inka Trollsås is a female kayaker from Sweden who has visited and kayaked
in Nepal every year since 2000. She runs the Swedish adventure travel
company, Far Away Adventures, through which she brings groups of trekkers
and kayakers Nepal. Inka is the initiator of this project.
Training manager and head instructor: Churamani Aryal, Himalayan River
Guide Association Nepal: info@riverguide.org.np +977 98030 104 82
http://riverguide.org.np/
The Himalayan River Guide Association Nepal (HRGAN) is a non profit
organization with an objective to support and train river guides working across
Nepal. Churamani is the president of HRGAN and has an outdoor education
from National Outdoor Leadership School in USA.
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