Sailing in Bay of Bengal

It was an unforgettable day yesterday, around noon I got a call from my Jeep Thrills club friend (Mr.Patrick) inviting me to join with him for the coaching session for his son, who incidentally a national champion in sailing competition. Pat is professionally a petroleum rig engineer and also got handful of adventure sport experiences.

I couldn’t say no to this opportunity; hence I promised him that I would join after my work hours. After noon around 3PM I visited the Chennai Port Trust campus, which is one of the largest harbors of India. Pat had organized all my entry procedure well before my arrival so I didn’t have much hassle in getting into the harbor. From the time Pat invited me, I was thinking I will be sitting in a compound wall on the shore watching the sailing of kids but my assumption was wrong, I realized it after meeting Pat.

Pat received me with smile at his face, and asked me if I have shorts and chapels to wear, as I was from office I wasn't prepared. Then we deposited all my stuffs in the clock room and Pat took my mobile phone with him in a polythene cover. After wearing life jacket we straight moved to the boat jetty that is directly on the harbor front. So many varieties of sailor’s boats were on the jetty. I never knew till I saw them that Chennai got such a facility for the sailing practice.Pat’s elder son is a champion in under 15years old category; hence yesterday was coach time for under 15 year old kids, along with 2 more champions too. ohhhh there were around 6 kids floating on the harbor water in a small sailing boats while the massive ships were crossing here and there. I heard the towing ships honk at them for asking way for exiting ships.We gathered in a motorboat and towed the sailors(kids) to the sea, while Pat measured the wind direction and speed with his instruments. I had nice chat with him to know about the nautical miles and measurement sitting next to him.

It was amazing to see those kids performing at the sea, WoW! What a physical and mental exercise to be on the boat the kids needs to concentrate on the wind direction, compete with fellow sailor, tide, sail, boat, the direction and remove the water which got into the boats. I have listed very few here, as my knowledge in sailing is ZERO. The kids raced themselves on the sea and they beat each other with many techniques thought to them by the coach. They are simply awesome and I envy not to be with them in their generation.

While the kids in coaching session, I observed my first every sailing experience on the sea watching the scenery around me. I didn’t carry my camera, but couldn’t resist asking Pat to give my camera mobile from the polythene cover and clicked few pictures. It seemed the massive ship which passed us some time back had traveled to the end of horizon touching the rainbow edge. Unfortunately my mobile got a tiny camera, which couldn’t capture it that well as I noticed. Since yesterday was rainy day we had some shower at the boat but that didn’t stop the kids practicing the adventure sport.
All my life, I was seeing the Bay of Bengal with black color water, but yesterday after crossing a little distance first time I witnessed bluish water in the sea.

Around 2 and half hours of floating we returned to the shore and had some snacks. I took farewell from Patrick who is also a member of Tamilnadu Sailing Association. During my discussion with Pat, I was informed that the association also organizes corporate trips to have sailing experience. hmmm added into my list of team outing plans.Thanks to Patrick for giving me the opportunity for the first time sailing experience on the sea.