IT crowd, youth chase adrenaline rush, take up adventure sports

Bengaluru: Ever fancied leaving your regular job and living a life full of adventures? You are not alone. 

The mushrooming of tourist resorts and the heightened interest among youths to try out adrenaline-pumping adventures have resulted in a 12-fold increase in the number of people registering for professional courses in adventure sports, including kayaking, rafting and rock climbing, in the last decade. 

General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure (Gethnaa) based in Karnataka is the only government-run institution in south India that offers such courses.

According to data accessed by DH, close to 1,600 people had registered for such courses in 2015. The figure has touched 20,000 by 2024.

This year, around 8,500 people have registered so far at the academy and officials are confident the figure would cross last year’s mark. 

“The crowd has increased significantly over the last decade. While earlier many of them would just try it during their free time, now they want to learn it professionally,” said Kiran Pais, an advisor at Gethnaa.

People working in the IT sector and those seeking employment in resorts and tourism sector form a big chunk of the learners.

“Many resorts want trained professionals to conduct adventure sports activities and hence, many aspiring youths come to us to get a certification. That apart, the enthusiasm among youngsters, especially the IT crowd is high,” said one of the trainers at the institute. 

Apart from applicants from Karnataka, the academy sees registrations from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Rock climbing, river rafting and kayaking are among the courses that have a huge demand.  Owing to the demand and interest, Gethnaa has started several new courses, including shorter ones and for children. 

“Not everyone who is interested can manage to take 10 or 15 days out of their busy schedule. Hence, we have started two and three-day courses, weekend courses and summer courses for children,” Pais said.

The institute offers courses at three levels -- basic, advanced and trainer’s courses. Trainers say not many go past the basic course. “Only one in ten who take the basic course goes to an advanced level. Those who are passionate look up to higher courses,” a trainer said.

Highlights - Sporting in Gethnaa  Six centres across K'taka 1) Vani Vilas Sagar Water Sports Centre, Chitradurga dist 2) Barapole Nature Camp, Kodagu dist 3) Ramanagaram Rock Climbing Centre 4) Badami Rock Climbing Centre 5) Karwar Water Sports Centre 6) andeli White Water Centre Number of registrations for adventure sports training 2015: 1,6162021: 3,6552022: 5,1542023: 10,0102024: 20,000*2025: 8,500* * Approx figures