In an exclusive interview with Advait Deodhar, Giira Yachts shares his thoughts on sailing as a sport, common issues with sailing and the current scenario of youth sailing in India. Read on to know more from the young sailor who has already made waves in the optimist and laser class of boats in India.

Q. When and how did your passion for sailing arise?
Ans.. My cousin brother Kartik Deodhar was the first of the Deodhars to start sailing, followed by my brother Akshay Deodhar. Then, obviously without a doubt i started as well, in 2000.
But this is not the only reason. The others being:-
living right next to the naval sailing club
my thirst for adrenalin and adventure
my love for the sea .

Q. How has sailing been different as compared to other sports?
Ans. you can compare a sailor to a cocktail. It’s a mixture of many qualities.
1. Physical fitness!
2. Brains, as tactics play a major role in winning a race.
3. Guts. You can’t be scared of anything. Cause sailors go through all sorts of circumstances. Be it sailing in a storm with 15 foot waves or sailing for hours on end and undergoing immense exhaustion.

3. How much time did it take until you were capable of taking the boat out by yourself?
Ans. Truthfully it did not take very long. I was literally dumped into an optimist and sent out….!!!

4. Approximately how many races have you been a part of and how many have you won?
Ans. I have taken part in 7 national championships and many Bombay races, in both the optimist class of boat and the laser class of boat.
In the optimist, 3rd place under 12, overall in the inland nationals held at khadkwasala lake in pune, 2002.
1st place customs cup, held in mumbai. Im not sure of the year.
In the 420, 2nd place, navy day regatta, 2007.
In the laser, 1st place in the youth nationals held in Goa in the year 2006, laser youth national champion 2006.
2nd place in the youth nationals held in Mumbai in the year 2007.
1st place in the final day regatta, held in Mumbai in the year 2008.
2nd place youth in the inland nationals held in Hyderabad in the year 2008.

5. Do you see a future in sailing as a profession? If no then why?
Ans. No, I do not see a future in sailing as a profession as India still lags behind in the sailing world. The only way you can make sailing a profession as of now is if you join the army or the navy. I do not intend to do so.

6. Why do you think sailing hasn’t picked up in India and what according to you will it take to propel the sport?
Ans. Indians only think football, cricket and tennis, that is because these sports are widely publicized in the country. Sailing needs to be made more commercial.
Also, people are under the idea that sailing is a rich mans sport. Which, truthfully is true but there are options like joining the sea cadet corps, which produces some of the top sailors of the country and is also much cheaper to join.
7. What excites you more… motor boats or sail boats and why?
Ans. Truthfully, a sail boat in heavy wind only.  I am a rally driver and i love being on the limit and going as fast as i can.!!..in a motor boat, you go really fast..!…you get your adrenalin high….but once your at full throttle, there’s no going faster.
In a sail boat, in heavy wind you can go really really fast, specially in baots like a laser, 420,470 etc. Being few inches of the water flying over waves…!! The feeling is insane…!!…but there always that option of going even faster…!!…adjusting something or the other in the boat…playing the waves….it never ends…!!…the rush is as much as you get in a rally car flying through corners..!!!

8. Do you see many more young kids taking up the sport seriously?
Ans. I have not seen any major change in the past few years but i do hope to see kids from all over realizing what an amazing sport it is and end up taking the sport as seriously as i have..!
9.    What is the most common reason that keeps kids away from sailing?
Ans. most of the people think sailing is rowing. They have no clue what the sport is about and what it has to offer. Also fear of the big seas is another major reason.

10. Is there any message you would like to convey to the kids or parents reading this article?
Ans. Sailing is one of the most amazing things you would want to get your kids into. Its going to make your child more aware, more independent, fitter, smarter and at the end of it he will turn out to be a man…!!!

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