Sail on the Bay of Bengal in Chennai this summer time and refill on some vitamin sea

It has solely been half an hour because the final of the sailboats has arrived at Chennai harbour after the finals of the second version of the Unifi Capital Offshore Regatta on April 7. The famished individuals who’ve been at sea for over 10 hours are ingesting tea on the Royal Madras Yacht Club (RMYC).

Among them are Praveen Kumar (29) from Rajasthan and Imo Lemnok (25) from Nagaland. They come from states in India that wouldn’t have large water our bodies, however are amongst these with the most effective command of the J80 class sailboats (racing keelboats) within the nation. While Praveen’s workforce from the Navy is the defending champion on this offshore regatta, Imo’s workforce has positioned third on this yr’s shut last.

“When I’m crusing, I’m not simply competing with different individuals, I’m competing with the wind and water,” says Imo. Honorary secretary of RMYC, Captain Vivek Shanbhag, shares comparable ideas in regards to the sport.

“On a worrying day, I solely have to take the sailboat out for 2 hours. With solely the ocean and the breeze by my aspect, I find yourself instantly refreshed. All the fatigue from flying disappears,” says the pilot, who has been crusing for over 10 years.

It might be why he and different members of the membership are encouraging novices to attempt their hand on the sport.

Taking the plunge

The 112-year-old RMYC is the primary crusing membership of South India. Though initially The Madras Yacht Club, RMYC obtained a constitution on February 20, 1962 from Queen Elizabeth II, after which the prefix ‘Royal’ was added. Earlier, solely the ‘captains of business and commerce’ had been allowed to be members of the membership.

Now, nevertheless, this membership has opened its doorways to all eager individuals.

Besides entry to the J80 class of sailboats, RMYC additionally has entry to extremely expert trainers and the assist of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) of the Tamil Nadu Police, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, making the game protected, says Vivek.

Everyone is given a life jacket. He provides that kids particularly are given classes on coping with capsizing as a part of their coaching.

RMYC has been capable of produce champions and national-level aggressive sailors inside only one yr of coaching. Jitendra Dixit, joint honorary secretary of the Yachting Association of India (the father or mother physique of RMYC), says that they’re anticipating anyplace between six and eight medals on the Asian Games in Japan in 2026.

Vivek says that crusing could be picked up at any time. The sport additionally helps perceive the fundamentals of engineering. It is a superb exercise because it workout routines the complete physique, and largely the core muscle groups, he says.

RMYC is within the course of of coaching a civilian workforce comprising girls from the Tamil Nadu Police division to sail to Rameswaram from Chennai. They are additionally teaching younger college students from fishing communities close to the harbour.

“The Chennai waters supply a present peculiar solely to this area. The contour of the shoreline makes this present unpredictable. Hence, individuals have to have fundamental data about it. With plentiful water, it is just proper to discover the waves and profit from the expansive sea,” says Vivek.

For additional particulars, contact Capt. Vivek Shanbhag at captviki@gmail.com or 9841030880. Membership is priced at ₹30,000 for 3 years and ₹1 lakh for all times.