Asol Aap or Canoe Race is an indigenous game of Andaman and Nicobar islands. In this game, a canoe having a length of almost 100` is used. Depending on the size of the canoe, a decision is made on the number of players that can be part of a particular team. The race is held on the sea with only 2 teams allowed to participate in a race. This is due to the depth of seawater as well as the current, which fluctuates from the shore side to deep sea. The Nicobar Athletic Association conducts these Canoe races at Car Nicobar. Between 45-90 people take part in these races; again the number depends on the canoe`s size. Race distance is approximately 5 to 6 km. The game is always organized during the dry season.
Asol - Tale Aap: This game is basically a Canoe race held on sand instead of the sea. The device to be used in this game is made from the stem of a coconut tree. It`s essential here that each canoe taking part in the race must have the same number of participants. Generally around 20 players take part at a time. The players seat and have one foot in the canoe and the other outside, touching the ground. The players accelerate the canoe by making use of the limbs. The participants reaching the end line first are declared the winner. Since Nicobar is sandy and the ground even, it makes playing the game that much easier.
