The JOSP – Joint Optimist Sailing Program is an initiative taken by the premier sailing clubs of the country viz., Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Royal Madras Yacht Club, SCCSA (Sea Cadets), INWTC, BSA and the CSC.

The Optimist Class is where it all starts…where true sailors are born. Rightly said by the Chief Guest Maj. Gen. S. M. Dutta, sailing is not only a sport but a lifestyle…being on the optimist and taking full responsibility for their actions by these young sailors gives them an idea about life later and how to gear up to the same.

DIWALI OPTIMIST REGATTA

The Diwali Optimist Regatta was held from the 24th to the 26th of October & it was thrilling to watch the children on water, all by themselves, battling it out on the gigantic seas off INWTC! There were children from Chennai too, & the Sea Cadets under the age of 15. The youngest was barely 9! The winds carried the little optimists along the set route, as the proud mummys & daddys watched their little ones from other boats bobbing up & down close by…

Here’s what some of them had to say about introducing the sport to their child:

‘I am not a sailor, but I want my son to be one. I wanted him to take up a sport that I knew nothing of. I want him to learn and master it on his own without any of my guidance.. so that he can do the same when it comes to taking up difficult tasks in his future!’

‘Sailing gives children a feeling of independence. It helps them realize and account for their own mistakes and failures. Since there is no one in the boat but them, the responsibility rests solely on them to make it to the finish line…to win!’

‘Sailing is all about tact! The child learns to maneuver the vessel according to the wind & tide. There is never a constant or standard situation. The scene is constantly changing & the child learns to adapt and sail along with the change. Thus the children learns to pick up lessons in sailing out of trial & error and are the sole fine-tuners or their own judgment.’

The kids were briefed and debriefed by some of the country’s best coaches…above you see them going through a review session with Mr. Sheri Bamboat.

Capt. Motivala, Capt. Someshwar, Sunil Lobo, Nawaz Currimbhoy and Homi Manekshaw formed the back-bone of the event, which was sponsored by Marine Solutions.

Amongst the many interesting personalities who sailed the optimist regatta was Ms. Dia, one of the tiniest of kids who surprises u with her intelligent questions and alert listening… When asked if she’s ever fallen into the waters while rowing her little boat she very promptly responds “we do not row, we sail.” And yes she has fallen into the sea like most other children. In fact, there is something called a ‘capsize drill’ where the child learns to get the boat back up when it capsizes in mid-sea!

All kids wear lifejackets & almost all of them know how to swim. Ask them if they are scared of the waters and they coolly go: ‘no, of course not’!

Little Avantika wants to be a singer and a dancer and … a sailor! The confidence levels of these kids would make your head spin. They are all self assured and absolutely at ease, ready to face anything that comes their way.

Getting back to the Results!

1st Place UPAMANYU DUTTA RBYC

2nd Place ZEPHRA CURRIMBHOY RMYC

3rd Place DINESH NERPAGARE SCCSA

Hope to have more & more children on the waters by next Diwali! Wishing everybody a HAPPY DIWALI!!!

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