Not long after the Himalayan Rodeo, another opportunity appeared.

This time, it wasn’t on a freestyle feature.

It was flat water.

An official national kayaking and canoeing selection event was being held in Pokhara — the first of its kind in Nepal. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) had brought 15 boats to the country, both single and double, and were hosting a week-long training program led by Santosh Chaba of Hungary — then the ICF Technical Director and a former World Championship gold medalist.

For Nepali paddlers, this was something entirely new.

Eighteen athletes were selected to attend.

There was just one problem.

Nim wasn’t there.

Two Days Late

At the time, Nim was guiding for Equator Expeditions. Multi-day river trips don’t run on convenient schedules. By the time he arrived in Pokhara, the training had already begun.

He was two days late.

Registration had closed.

Instead of turning back, Nim approached Ramesh Neupane — one of the event organizers and owner of Holiday Adventure — and explained the situation. Ramesh knew Nim from the river community and believed he deserved a chance.

Ramesh spoke with his partner, Sudip Raj Gautam, and together — with the approval of the ICF — they agreed to allow Nim to join the remaining training sessions and compete in the final race.

A small decision.

A very big opportunity.

Learning Flatwater

Until then, Nim’s experience had been entirely in whitewater.

Now he was sitting in sleek, narrow flatwater boats provided by the ICF — learning technique, efficiency, and discipline under Santosh Chaba.

It was different.

Whitewater instinct didn’t automatically translate to flatwater precision.

But Nim adapted quickly.

At the end of the week, the final flatwater race was held.

Nim won.

Arriving two days late.
Missing the early training sessions.
Still learning a completely new discipline.

He crossed the finish line first.

But the story didn’t end there.

Back to the River

After the flatwater race, Santosh Chaba wanted to see something more.

He asked if any of the participants had whitewater experience. Only five did.

Nim was one of them.

A small group traveled to the Upper Seti River so Chaba could observe them in moving water.

For Nim, this was familiar ground.

Flatwater had required adaptation — discipline, timing, efficiency.
But whitewater was home.

On the Upper Seti, Chaba watched closely. Control. Balance. Reading the current. Decision-making in real time.

This was not a controlled race lane.

This was river instinct.

Nim paddled the way he had learned — from years guiding trips, watching mentors, carrying gear as a boy, and earning his place stroke by stroke.

After winning the flatwater race and then demonstrating his skill on the river, Nim was selected to represent Nepal at the World Championships in France.

From arriving two days late…

to earning the chance to represent Nepal internationally.

A Door Opens

For a young man who had once raced down to the Trisuli River to help rafting guides at lunch stops, this was something unimaginable.

France.

World Championships.

International athletes.

Nepal on the start list.

But what mattered most wasn’t the travel or the title.

It was the realization that Nepali paddlers belonged on the world stage.

The Rodeo had given him his first personal kayak.

This moment gave him something bigger — belief.

Belief that opportunity could be earned.
Belief that showing up mattered.
Belief that the river could take you further than you ever imagined.

(To be continued…)

Next week, we’ll share the story of France — Nim’s first time ever leaving Nepal. The World Championships brought unforgettable highs, humbling lessons, some very funny cultural moments, and a few heartbreaking experiences that shaped him far more than any result sheet ever could.

This reflection is part of Paddle Nepal’s 20-year journey on Nepal’s rivers.