By 2010, Paddle Nepal was finding its feet.

The early years had been filled with long days, uncertain seasons, shared offices, second-hand vehicles, calculated risks, bold investments, and a relentless commitment to building something that would last.

As the business grew increasingly stable, we knew it was time to begin another adventure—starting a family.   

In July 2010, our son, Kailash Bahadur Magar, was born.

His name carries a story all of its own.

Mount Kailash, in the far western Himalaya of Tibet, is one of the world’s most sacred mountains. For Hindus, it is believed to be the earthly home of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Buddhists revere it as the dwelling place of Demchok (Chakrasamvara), representing supreme bliss, while Jains and followers of the ancient Bon religion also regard it as their holiest pilgrimage site. Unlike most great mountains, Mount Kailash has never been climbed—a tradition of reverence that continues to this day.

Surrounding the mountain are the headwaters of four of Asia’s great river systems: the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali. Flowing in four different directions, these rivers have shaped civilizations, nourished countless communities, and carried both life and stories across the continent for thousands of years.

For our family, the Karnali River holds a particularly special place. As Paddle Nepal’s flagship multi-day expedition, it has shaped not only our business but also many of our greatest adventures, lifelong friendships, and treasured memories. For a family whose lives have been so deeply connected to rivers, there could hardly be a more fitting name. Every river has a source, every journey has a beginning, and for us, the name Kailash has always been a reminder that even the greatest adventures begin with a single drop of water.

Since he was born, Kailash has grown up around rafts, kayaks, rivers, and river people. He has attended the Himalayan Whitewater Challenge almost every year since infancy, travelled to river festivals and expeditions across Nepal, and become part of a close-knit paddling community from a remarkably young age. Camps became playgrounds, evenings were spent around campfires, and the river simply became home.

 

As Paddle Nepal continues to evolve, so do the adventures around him. From rafting, kayaking, and canyoning to the early days of stand-up paddleboarding in Nepal, he has been fortunate to witness many of the milestones that have helped shape both our company and Nepal’s paddling community.

Like many children raised in the outdoors, paddling wasn’t something he was formally taught all at once—it was simply part of everyday life.

It didn’t take long before people began noticing something familiar.

Nim Bahadur Magar has long been known simply as “Min” by friends, family, guides, and much of Nepal’s paddling community. So it wasn’t long before Kailash earned a nickname of his own: ‘Mini Min’ Magar.

Whether sitting in a kayak, concentrating before a rapid, or quietly watching the river, there are moments when Kailash wears exactly the same focused expression as his father. Side by side, the resemblance is remarkable.

Like his father, Kailash learned to kayak from a young age and rolled his kayak for the first time at the age of eleven.

Watch proud father Nim teach Kailash how to roll a kayak for the very first time:

Today, Kailash still enjoys paddling and occasionally helps at Paddle Nepal’s Kayak Shack, renting kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on Phewa Lake. At the same time, he’s discovering his own path.

Mountain biking is one of his great passions, including participating in events such as the KoraChallenge and Pokhara Enduro. He has also developed a love for rock climbing and bouldering through WISH Climbing in Pokhara, another valued part of Lakeside’s thriving outdoor community that Paddle Nepal has proudly supported over the years. More recently, trail running has captured his imagination, and earlier this year he completed his first half marathon, followed by his first ultratrail marathon—achievements that made his family incredibly proud.

This month, Kailash turns sixteen.

As parents, we’ve become increasingly aware that growing up also means creating space. While Paddle Nepal has always been part of our family’s story, we also know Kailash’s story is his own to write. Whether that future leads him deeper into paddlesports or somewhere entirely different, we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

For now, we’re simply grateful that Paddle Nepal has given us not only twenty incredible years on Nepal’s rivers, but also the privilege of raising our son surrounded by adventure, community, and the outdoors.

Happy Birthday, Kai.

Whatever path you choose, we’re so proud of you, and we will always be cheering you on.

As for Paddle Nepal’s story… (To be continued…)

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