What sets apart Shreyas Iyer from Pradhyumna Singh Rathod? Or Smriti Mandhana from Shikha Chouhan? Apart from the fact that you’ve heard of only two of them, not much. They all represented India at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Coinciding with Singh Rathod’s fourth place and Chouhan’s third place finish in the Quarterfinal 2 of the Kayak Cross events yesterday, a new kayaking season opened far from the island nation, on the coast of Juhu.

“Most Mumbaikars are familiar with kayaking through their Goa, Kerala, or Karnataka travel itineraries. We want to remind them that the waters off Juhu Beach offer an ideal kayaking spot,” says Pratiksha Bavdane, who co-founded IndoKayak with kayak trainer and Juhu Koliwada resident Nevhi Gaud three years ago. After securing permissions from the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and the Mumbai Maritime Board, they hope to spark a new movement in the city.