Snake Boats

Unveiled: The International Market Potential of

Snake Boats

Snake Boats & History • The boat race is a sport that signifies excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of the backwaters of Kerala. • The story of snake boats goes back 400 years in history. • Snake boat race is largest and the only sport in the world in which more than hundred people participate in a team.

Snake Boats & History • Usually, a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 100-125 oarsmen and cheerers/singers, who row in unison to the fast rhythm of `vanchipattu'or boatmen's song. • Constructed according to specifications taken from the Sthapathya Veda, an ancient treatise for the building of wooden boats. • To make the boat slippery while in water, it is oiled with a mixture of fish oil, coconut shell carbon and eggs (after drying the hull with fire). • Traditionally each boat belongs to a village and the villagers worship that boat like a deity.

Snake Boats & History • Types of Snake Boats- Chundan Vallom and Palliyodam.

Chundan Vallom

Palliyodam

• These boats are about 100 to 138 ft in length, with the rear portion towering to a height of about 20 ft. and a long tapering front portion. • Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length and six inches wide.

Existing Snake Boats and Races •

•

There are more than 20 Snake Boat Races in Kerala – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Kumaranasan Smaraka Jalolsavam Erapuzha Chatayam Boat Race Aranmula Uthrittadi Boat Race Karuvatta Boat Race Mother Teresa Trophy Boat Race Nehru trophy Boat Race Chamapakulam Boat Race Rajiv Gandhi Trophy Boat Race Payipad Boat Race Neerattupuram Boat Race Santhosh Trophy boat race Indira Gandhi Boat Race Mahatma Boat Race at Mannar

Nehru Trophy is the most popular boat race since 1952.

Existing Snake Boats and Races • More than 20 Chundan Valloms and 40 Palliyodams. Kaarichaal, Chambakulam, Paayipaadu, Kaavalam, Alapaatu, Aanari, Cheruthana, Aayaparambu, St.George, Jawahar thaayankari, Vallamkulangara, Valiya Divanji, Sri.Ganesh, Paarthasarathy, Ambedkar and Pattara are the name of popular snake boats who participate in the Chundan Vallam category.

• Race Specification Track length – 1400 m Amaram - 5 Persons Nilakkar - 5 Persons Total no. of team members- 100-125 Tracks – 4 tracks of 10 M. wide from East. • Oars Dip and Flash-100 to 120 times a minute.

Limitations of Traditional Snake Boats • Snake Boats made of wood absorbs and retains water. • No Uniformity or Standardization of Specifications for boats participating in boat races. • Weight of the boat varies along the course of the race. • Hull should be dried before each event. • Annual Maintenance is must and expensive. • Permanent Storage space to keep the boat on shore. • Not accepted as an International Water Sport. • No demand for rowers internationally. • No International promoters or marketing agencies. • For constructing one boat, one tree need to be cut ( Not environment friendly).

Solution

Steel Snake Boats Specifications of Aries Punnamada Chundan • • • • •

Weight:8 tonnes Length: 43.70m B X D: 1.75m X 0.71m Freeboard: 10 cm (fully loaded) Number of Crew-141(max)

Advantages of Steel Snake Boats

Advantages of Steel Snake Boats

• Faster. • More stable and unsinkable. • Uniform shape, weight and carrying capacity. • Proper design to build anywhere in the world. • International recognition. • Environment Friendly.

Comparison Details

Traditional Snake Boat Steel Snake Boats

Number of floating days

Few days in a stretch

More than 800 days

Hull maintenance

Annual

Once in 3-5 years

Construction Cost

More than 25 Lacs

Less than 15 Lacs

Construction time

650 days (approx)

90-120 days (approx)

Unsinkability

NA

Tested with Immersion test

Longitudinal Strength

Limited

Verified using Overhanging test

Speed

Rough surface to be polished for making the boat fast

Uniform speed

Standardization

Not standardized

Standardized

Recognition

Local

International

Stability

Vary

Better and Optimum

Shipping

Practically difficult

Easy (Block Assembly possible)

Construction Features and Recognitions • No modern facility required for construction. • No synchro lift or slipway required to launch it. • No specialized equipment required. • All easy welded connections. • Longitudinal strength verified through overhanging test. • Unsinkability confirmed through immersion test.

Recognitions Guinness Book entry for the largest canoe crew attained with 141 personnel onboard

Limca Book Entry as the longest snake boat

MASTECH 2008 Award for the Most Innovative Design (Design developed by Aries Marine & Engineering Services, the largest ship design firm in the Middle East)

Showcased in many Music Albums, TV serials, Ads and Movies and hundreds of write ups

Ladies got the first opportunity to row a snake boat during NTBR (Only men are allowed to touch the traditional boats)

How to make Snake Boat Races International? • International Presentations. • Identification of proper authority, proposals and documentation. • Proper project report to ensure that the event caters to international audience. • Media Publicity. • Marketing. • Sponsorship/Promoters. • Participation in various international events.

Tourism Potential

• Most thrilling water sport in the world. • Largest team sport in the world. • Attract thousands of tourists without much publicity. • Government support and recognition for the event. • To be included as separate event in Dragon Boat races for worldwide recognition.

Business Potential of Snake Boats • • • • • • • • • • •

Export the design and concept. Construction and Export of the hull. Increase market potential for the rowers. Revenue from Snake boat tourism. Development of race venues. Penetrate the billion dollar water sport sponsorship market. Product Branding . Best staff motivation and physical training tool. Revenue from Visual Media. Possibilities of commercial race. Auction.

Thank You

Presented by:

Sohan Roy S K CEO, Aries Group www.sohanroy.com [email protected]