Tourism News

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Wimbledon Features Stunning Poster of Kerala’s Snake Boat Race

In a mark of honour to Kerala’s feted snake boat race, the official digital platform pages of Wimbledon Tennis Championship, including its official Facebook page, featured the poster of the snake boat race. The gesture was a reflection of the success of the state tourism’s sustained global marketing outreach.

The poster shows an image of prominent Wimbledon players in tennis attire rowing two snake boats set against the backdrop of coconut groves. The image also carried an emoji of Kerala and London shaking hands and the description “Ready for the annual boat race? Who will be lifting the 2023 Wimbledon Championship?”

“Really exciting to see Kerala’s snake boat race being featured by Wimbledon as an official poster!” Kerala Tourism Minister Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas said.

Recently Chelsea FC made a virtual tour of the backwater paradise Alappuzha, praising the beauty of the land. Shri Riyas had then invited the ‘Blues’ for a ‘real tour’ of God’s Own Country, where football is loved as much as life.

Kerala’s snake boat race is garnering global attention ahead of the state's annual Champion’s Boat League (CBL), held post-monsoon in different parts of the state. The Wimbledon Championship coincided with the start of the boat race season in Kerala with Champakulam Moolam Vallam Kali held on the Pamba.

Snake boat race, powered by village rowers, is prominently featured by Kerala Tourism in international travel and tourism trade fairs and roadshows.

Snake boat races have always been a matter of pride and excitement for Kerala. Well-trained rowers practise for months and take part in fierce competition, egged on by cheering crowds who gather in droves to witness the race.

The snake boat races are organised during the season of harvest.