Ride the wave

Sailing has always been considered as a fancy, glamorous and expensive affair meant to do on a foreign holiday,” says Akhil Mahesh, member, Indian Naval Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC). No longer though, as more people are beginning to realise, that anyone can sail and that it is possible to both learn and pursue the sport as a career, at an agreeable cost. “Sailing and yachting have been gaining momentum in India over past eight years. Quite a few sailing tournaments are now being held,” informs Sagar Hawaldar, president, Bay Island Yacht Club.
Jimmy Nadar, co-owner, Gateway Sailing Club agrees, “The number of new boats and yachts that arrive in our country every year is on a high of 10 per cent,” he says.

The perks that this career brings along, makes it much more attractive. Imagine getting paid to do what people do for a holiday. “Once I started taking sailing seriously, I travelled to different places to attend clinics held by experienced coaches and formed teams to participate in competitions internationally,” says Vishnu Sujeesh, sailor and member of Yachting Association of India (YAI).

Not many people have the opportunity to do what they enjoy every day. “Outdoor exposure, meeting new people every day from school kids to college students to MDs and CEOs of multi-national companies, physical fitness and a lot more are added bonuses that come with the sport,” says Mahesh.

However, the career growth in sailing is no different from other fields. “Sailing is about experience so one definitely needs training,” advises Sujeesh. Abhishek Mhatre, internationally certified commercial yacht captain and operations manager, Aquasail agrees, “When you are on water it’s all about safety, personal and customer safety. You are entrusted with peoples’ lives,” he says.

Just like the ocean, sailing also has its ups and downs. “Every day you have new challenges, in terms of the tide, wind, current and the climate,” warns Nadar. Apart from that, another obstacle is the lack of infrastructure in India which makes it difficult for those pursuing this field. “More people mean more boats, more boats means more sailing; more sailing means more investment by the government in promoting the sport, which is very low here,” says Mhatre.

The current market may not seem lucrative for aspirants. But those willing to sail their careers through rough waters are sure to be rewarded. “Trainees may expect a salary of Rs 5,000-10,000 per month, junior instructors Rs 10,000-15,000 and senior instructors may earn up to Rs 50,000,” says Mhatre. Nadar adds, “An entrepreneur may make anything between Rs 1,00,000 – Rs 3,00,000 per boat.” Hawaldar informs that now-a-days even skilled newcomers get about Rs 25,000 per month.

Despite the highs and lows, anyone who shows interest and is dedicated to take sailing as a full time career is likely to find a way to succeed. “Seventy per cent of this planet is water, so just imagine the job opportunities,” concludes Mhatre.

SAIL A TON
Aquasail: www.aquasailindia.com

Gateway Sailing Club:  www.gatewaysailingclub.com

Yachting Association of India:  www.yai.org.in

Lsails (Discover Sailing India):  ayeshalobo-sailing.com

Royal Bombay Yacht Club :  www.rbyc.co.in