Kolkata, April 2 (IANS): Come Saturday, students and faculty of the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) will be able to paddle up and relax, courtesy a canoeing and kayaking facility that will be launched at the campus, organisers said on Thursday.

An initiative of the West Bengal Kayaking and Canoeing Association (WBKCA), the unique recreational measure takes advantage of the large water body located at the sprawling 135-acre campus in Joka, on the outskirts of Kolkata.

To start off, two kayaks are being donated by the Calcutta chapter of the IIMC Alumni Association, said its vice chairman and WBKCA treasurer G.M. Kapur.

"We are borrowing two other kayaks and depending on the demand, we will add more," Kapur told IANS on Thursday.

"The inaugural on Saturday coincides with the institute's 50th annual convocation and the popular water sports are being introduced for fun as well as for fitness," said Kapur.

The demonstration for the sport will be given by officials from the WBKCA as well as Calcutta Rowing Club. Safety protocols will be discussed as well.