First Ever Brahmaputra Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Expedition
Led and Supported by Paddle For Future, Chennai & Luit Paddlers, Assam, India.
This is adventure sports at its purest!
“From the heart of Assam, paddling India’s mightiest river.
The *First-Ever Brahmaputra SUP & Kayak Expedition* celebrates endurance, river culture, and sustainable adventure tourism. Human-powered. Non-motorized. Pure river spirit.”
Commencing on February 20th, 2026 from POBA Reserve Forest, Assam, India
Purpose of the Expedition
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This landmark expedition marks India’s first continuous SUP journey on the Brahmaputra, one of the world’s most powerful rivers. The team will paddle hundreds of kilometers using only human power showcasing endurance, teamwork, and the spirit of exploration.
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Through this journey, the team aims to highlight the Brahmaputra’s natural beauty, its diverse river culture, and the urgent need to protect its fragile ecosystems.
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The expedition will serve as a historic moment for adventure tourism in India, opening the door for more river‑based exploration and sustainable outdoor travel.
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Through this self-financed expedition, the team aims to map out safe routes for stand-up paddling and kayaking, ensuring that the routes respect the wildlife hotspot areas and safety of the adventurers.
The Yarlung Tsangpo begins its 3,969 km journey at the Mansarovar Lake region near Mount Kailash in Tibet, flowing through the Grand Canyon before turning at the ‘Great Bend’ near Mount Namcha Barwa. At this point, the river’s waters drop from about 2,900 metres to about 1,500 metres at the end of the Upper Gorge; it sharply falls further as the river rushes down through the Lower Gorge to the Indian border at an elevation of 660 metres (2,170 ft) when it enters Arunachal Pradesh with a new name, Siang.
It eventually flows into Assam, where the Dibang and Lohit rivers join it to form the mighty Brahmaputra; it traverses about 900 km towards the southwest before entering Bangladesh, where it is called the Jamuna. Strong currents in the upper reaches characterize this trans-national river, and the plains of Assam are known for being the widest river in India.
River Brahmaputra has long been one of Asia’s most demanding expedition rivers, attracting elite rafting, kayaking, and mixed craft Teams. The Brahmaputra is the 15th longest river in the world. Rising in the trans Himalayan belt of Tibet, it enters in India at Arunachal Pradesh, before reaching the plains of Assam and completing its journey in Bangladesh at the Bay of Bengal. The river’s upper section features big volume Class IV–V whitewater, remote gorge systems, and wilderness logistics unmatched elsewhere in India. While there have been rafting, kayaking, and packrafting expeditions, till date there has been no record of Stand-Up Paddleboard expedition in the river, thus making us the first ever SUP expedition paddlers in history.
In this expedition, we will paddle around 450 kilometers from Poba Reserve Forest, Assam, crossing the braided river through Dibrugarh, Majuli, Jorhat, Kaziranga, and Mangaldoi, all the way to Guwahati. During the course of the expedition, the team aims to map out safe routes for stand-up paddling and kayaking, ensuring that the routes respect the wildlife hotspot areas and safety of the adventurers.
Meet the Team
Kumaran Mahalingam, 44, a Geologist and an accomplished Stand-Up Paddling Expedition leader recognized for leading endurance paddle journeys that promote adventure tourism, environmental awareness, and community engagement. His expeditions highlight sustainability, youth inspiration, and regional pride while demonstrating strong leadership, safety expertise, and team motivation. He actively collaborates with organizations and communities to elevate responsible water sports and showcase waterways as valuable natural and cultural assets.
Naushad Hussain, an outdoor professional, certified river guide, paraglider, and recreational kayaker driven by a lifelong passion for adventure.. He is closely associated with Luit Paddlers, promoting responsible river culture and creating meaningful water-based experiences along the Brahmaputra. From soaring in the skies through paragliding to leading trekking expeditions in the remote landscapes of Northeast India, his journey is rooted in exploration, resilience, and a deep respect for nature. For hi,, adventure is not just a career, it is a way of life, inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones and truly connect with the outdoors. Waiting to catch up soon with all of you at the River Brahmaputra!
Shivranjini Krishnamurthy is an endurance athlete and open-water explorer marking her 45th year with a 450-kilometre stand-up paddle expedition on the Brahmaputra. A long-distance swimmer, stand-up paddler, endurance cyclist and runner, she is also a swim coach, certified scuba diver, paragliding pilot and Pilates and strength coach, building endurance not just as sport, but as a way of being. Drawn instinctively to wild waters, Shivranjini sees the Brahmaputra as a living, breathing presence. She intends to undertake the journey with as little footprint as possible, moving lightly and respectfully along the river’s course. At its heart, the expedition reflects her belief in the quiet resilience shared by wilderness and women alike.
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Dr. Prajeeth Vandayar, 32-year-old doctor from Chidambaram with a strong passion for paddling, exploration, and wilderness adventure. An avid kayaker and stand-up paddler, he thrives in challenging natural environments and values the deep connection expeditions create with nature and people. He have a long-standing association with the Paddle for Future expeditions program, contributing actively to river journeys and outdoor initiatives. His experience includes multiple Kollidam River SUP expeditions as Assistant Leader and Medic Support, a Palk Bay kayak expedition, and a multi-day SUP journey through Norway’s fjords. Combining medical expertise with expedition resilience, He brings safety awareness, team spirit, and a genuine love for the outdoors to every journey.
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Abhijith Kedar, 39, an entrepreneur driven by a deep passion for the outdoors and adventure. An avid swimmer and certified flat-water Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) instructor, he is an active member of the Paddle for Future initiative, promoting adventure, water safety, and environmental awareness. He has participated in several notable long-distance SUP expeditions, including the Chaliyar, Ganges (Rapid Section), and Godavari rivers, along with international paddling experiences in the Norwegian fjords in sub-zero conditions. He served as Assistant Leader for the Paddle for Future team during the River Godavari and Chaliyar expeditions, demonstrating strong leadership, teamwork, and commitment in demanding conditions. Beyond expeditions, he actively contributes to outreach programs encouraging sustainable adventure and community engagement and enjoys inspiring others to experience the joy of outdoor exploration.
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Karthik, 32, an Engineer from Thiruvannamalai. Beyond his professional background in engineering, he possesses a deep-rooted passion for kayaking. He is joining this expedition to immerse himself in nature, refine his technical skills, and collaborate with a like-minded team. His goal is to combine my adventurous spirit with a commitment to teamwork, ensuring that all share a rewarding experience and create lasting professional and personal memories. He has also participated in Paddle for Future’s River Kollidam expedition.