Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

NCC cadets learn the ropes of seamanship

Learning experience: NCC Naval unit cadets practicing on Akkulam Lake for their expedition.

Thiruvananthapuram: The whaler boat darted across Akkulam Lake. “Low and up, low and up,” the helmsman of the boat chanted rhythmically. Six young sailors heaved hard at the long oars, synchronizing their strokes with the coxswain’s rowing cadence. The boat skimmed over the silvery waters with surprising speed.

On the shore, Commander Krishnan Kumar (Number One, Naval Unit, National Cadet Corps - Thiruvananthapuram) watched his cadets learn their “sea legs” (Navy jargon for the first lessons of seamanship).

As a young seaman, he had represented the Indian Navy in several international yachting competitions.

Under his watch, 27 NCC naval unit cadets are preparing for a sailing expedition through the inland waters of Kerala. The cadets would navigate through 410 km of backwaters (from Kollam to Aroor in Ernakulam district) in July.

Mr. Kumar said that the expedition was aimed at toughening the youngsters. “They would unfurl sails only when there is favourable wind, which is a rarity in inland waters. Mostly, it would be hard rowing all the way for the cadets.”

The boys would stock water, glucose powder, lemon, salt, bananas, peanut candy and palm sugar on board their boats. The expedition team would make landfall for lunch and dinner.

The cadets would stay in churches and houses on the 10-day expedition. Navy instructor S. Sreekumar said the cadets would gain experience in inland navigation and learn how currents, tide and wind affect sailing.

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