Payipad lake is around 35 kms away from Alapuzha. The Onam festival is celebrated here with a boat race which is conducted on the 3rd day of Onam. I was unable to see the final race itself, but, I saw practice runs of the same. The boats vary from 100 feet to 130 feet and can carry more than 100 oarsmen. This shot is of the Payipad lake. The race starts from the far end. You can see a boat doing an u-turn. It almost covers the entrire breadth of the lake.

The teams are highly spirited and work in a very synchronised manner. They are motivated by cheer leaders in the middle of the boat. The cheer leaders bang a pestle on the middle of the boat to provide the rhythm for rowing. SPECIAL FEATURE - Click on the play button below images to hear the cheer leaders. The sound quality is not great as the recording was done from a bridge 100ft away.

Three of the contestants taking of to the starting position.