Kayaker Nouria Newman on Solo Expedition in India. Her Ultimate Week-long Voyage of Self-discovery

Kayaker Nouria Newman on Solo Expedition in India. Her Ultimate Week-long Voyage of Self-discovery
Nouria Newman performs in glacial water of a creek at the Nubra Valley in the Himalayas, India.
Autor snímku Ali Bharmal - Red Bull Content Pool
SDÍLEJ:

For Nouria Newman, it was the ultimate voyage of self-discovery. Alone with only her kayak for company for seven days last August, she survived an accident en route to the finish 375 kilometres later.

Kayaker Nouria Newman on Solo Expedition in India. Her Ultimate Week-long Voyage of Self-discovery
Kayaker Nouria Newman at Ladakh.
Autor snímku Ali Bharmal - Red Bull Content Pool

Tackling the treacherous rivers of Leh, she kayaked down a trio of rivers: the Tsarap, Zanskar and Indus, often in dangerous conditions and glacial waters, and sleeping by the riverside each night.

How did the expedition come about?

I never planned to go to northern India, I originally flew to India for the Malabar River Fest. Because of the floods and administrative difficulties, it proved impossible. But I told myself that if I went back to France now with all this built-up frustration I would never come back. That is when I decided to stay longer and head north to achieve my goal. The pictures were superb and so appealing that I decided I just had to do it.

And what about the decision to go solo?

I was a bit done staying with people all the time because in India, at least in Kerala, you are never alone. It was really nice but, after two-and-a-half weeks, I was a little tired of it. So, I made up my mind and decided to head north on my own. It was going to be cool and it did not look too difficult. But on the safety side, it was business as usual, except I was on my own.

How big a challenge was the water? How serious was the accident?

The Zanskar had an enormous amount of water and, when I reached the Indus, well, it was really huge. On the second day, I arrived in a bit fast, I told myself “come on, go for it” but I missed a small move, it put me off and I got stuck in a pocket of water. This is the worst-case scenario in my sport. Once you’re there, you don’t have a ton of options. I took my waterproof bag out of my kayak and put it on a rock. I stuck my paddle somewhere and tried to stabilise myself.

BEST KAYAKS: https://www.globosurfer.com/best-kayaks/

Nouria Newman: Tsarap - Zanskar - Indus.

I took a strap and carabiner from my life jacket with the idea of clipping my boat on and, once the kayak was safely clipped on, the aim was to jump on a rock. But I slipped and fell into the water pocket and felt myself being pulled to the bottom of it under a rock. At that moment, I didn’t know if I would ever manage to get out of there. Eventually, I reached the surface again but I had to swim the whole rapid to catch my kayak. Had I lost it, it would have been all over because I was alone.

How do you prepare for a moment like that and cope with it?

I’ve done a whole lot of expeditions over the past two years and on each one I’ve gained experience. But it’s very different each time, things always happen and you’re not necessarily ready for them. There are tough times, you need to get your head down, not think too much, not stop even if it hurts as nobody is going to come and rescue you. It’s a bit like a video game when you lose a life. At the time, you think: “I lost a life, I was lucky’.

Were there any other mishaps?

The next day, I had another moment in the first big rapid but it helped me a lot, and the rest of the journey was fine. I sort of started from scratch. And meeting a group of young monks helped get me back in the mood. When they played with my kayak equipment, I understood the reason behind everything I do… it’s only a game, to have a good time.

Nouria Newman: Tsarap - Zanskar - Indus.

What was it like when you finally reached the finish?

I felt a lot of relief. It was a strong experience and I realized that maybe I prefer to go with friends. It’s not just for the safety aspect when things get really tough but also for the cool moments in the big rapids when you want to share it with someone else. I really felt vulnerable and had a proper look at what my guts are made of. After India, I thought, “I am fed up of being afraid, I don’t like it at all.” When I think back to this expedition, I have so many conflicting feelings that I cannot reach any sort of conclusion. I don’t know if I want to go for another solo trip. When I got out of it, I thought “never again”. Now, I am not so sure.

PANORAMA: Kayaker Nouria Newman Indus river
Kliknutím otevřete velké panorama. FOTO: Ali Bharmal - Red Bull Content Pool

Nouria Newman: Instagram and YouTube and Twitter and Facebook and Wikpedia and Jackson and Red Bull


Zobrazit místo World of rivers. Světové řeky. na větší mapě

SDÍLEJ:

Diskuse

Ochrana proti spamu. Napište prosím číslo dvacet-čtyři:

  • Captcha Image

Diskuze k článku

Celkem 0 příspěvků v diskuzi


Northern Morocco Map

Northern Morocco Map

Discover the beauty and diversity of Northern Morocco with this detailed guide.... celý článek

Things To Do In Fes

What They Don’t Tell You About the Everest Base Camp Trek?

registrovat

Podívejte se na inspiraci k cestování po Evropě.
Hledáte si ubytování v ČR nebo na Slovensku? Doporučujeme chaty a chalupy k pronájmu za nejlepší ceny. I levné ubytování si najdete na portálu MegaUbytko.cz.
CHORVATSKO 2024 levné ubytování v apartmánech a pokojích po celém Jadranu bez provize cestovkám.







Nejčtenější články

Lithuanian company Walletto and Fintech Poland: Innovative payment solutions

Lithuanian company Walletto and Fintech Poland: Innovative payment solutions

The currents of innovation in the European fintech landscape have converged, marking a significant stride forward for Polish enterprises with global aspirations. The recent alliance between Walletto and Fintech Poland heralds a new
Things To Do In Fes

Things To Do In Fes

Planning Your Stay in Fez, Morocco. Discover Unique Things to Do in Fes for All Travelers.
What They Don’t Tell You About the Everest Base Camp Trek?

What They Don’t Tell You About the Everest Base Camp Trek?

The Everest Base Camp trek is a bucket-list adventure, promising breathtaking landscapes and a deep dive into Sherpa culture. However, beyond the Instagram-worthy views and inspirational stories, there are many aspects of
Northern Morocco Map

Northern Morocco Map

Discover the beauty and diversity of Northern Morocco with this detailed guide.

Kalendář akcí Zobrazit všechny akce

AKCE KDE INFO KDY ČAS
Flora - veletrh Olomouc 24.-27.4. 24.4.
COTTM - veletrh Čína, Peking 24.-26.4. Cestovní ruch 24.4.
Trentino Film Festival Itálie, Trento 25.4.-4.5. Horské filmy 25.4.
Padání - bouldering Žihle 25.-27.4. 25.4.
Zeltschau - výstava stanů Německo, Langenzersdorf, Seeschlacht 25.-27.4. 25.4.
Prague Bike Fest Praha, Výstaviště Holešovice 26.-27.4. 26.4.
Trofeo Mezzalama - skialp  Itálie, Gressoney   26.4.
Dračí popel Praha, KVS Dračí lodě 26.4.
Spezi - veletrh Německo, Lauchringen 26.-27.4. Alternativní cyklistika 26.4.
Porubajk - cyklomaraton Ostrava, Poruba Horská kola 26.4.

Diskuse

Kraken?! Как зайти на Кра... JimmySews, 26.4.2025 7:17, 9 příspěvků
Кракен!? Как зайти на Kra... JimmySews, 26.4.2025 5:52, 9 příspěvků
сайт Кракен!? Как зайти н... JimmySews, 26.4.2025 4:21, 9 příspěvků
Great reading too 13! Arisha13St, 26.4.2025 4:15, 9 příspěvků
Great reading too 13! Arisha13St, 26.4.2025 4:15, 9 příspěvků
Kraken рабочая ссылка для... Kevinabrak, 26.4.2025 3:42, 9 příspěvků
Кракен: Список актуальных... zebehen, 26.4.2025 3:36, 9 příspěvků
Как зайти на Кракен через... ThomasSn, 26.4.2025 3:15, 9 příspěvků
Где взять настоящую ссылк... Kevinabrak, 26.4.2025 2:49, 9 příspěvků
Какой сейчас рабочий адре... Kevinabrak, 26.4.2025 2:24, 9 příspěvků

Fórum Zobrazit všechny příspěvky

Trhy na Mariánském náměst... Horydoly , 19.4.2025 2:52
Velikonoční speciály potě... Horydoly , 19.4.2025 2:49
Velikonoce v jižních Čechách Horydoly , 19.4.2025 2:44
Přihlaste se na Zažít měs... Horydoly , 17.4.2025 2:28
Shrnutí lyžařské sezony 2... Horydoly Open, 16.4.2025 18:28
Re: Pražský veletržní areál Horydoly , 10.4.2025 0:45
Jak Bosch eBike Systems s... Horydoly , 7.4.2025 11:00
Špindlerův Mlýn startuje ... Horydoly , 5.4.2025 0:33