Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
AHOY! It's time to heave ho
|
The rejuvenated Ulsoor lake now offers water sports enthusiasts everything they can possibly dream of, writes ANAND SANKAR
|
The Trishna Yacht Club offers state-of-the-art facilities including a dry dock where kids can practise rowing in a static scull. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.
GONE ARE the days when no soul ventured anywhere near the waters of Ulsoor Lake because of the stench. Now after its rejuvenation, the lake is ready to become the water sports hub in the city. The Trishna Yacht Club, along with Catapult Connect and the Karnataka Amateur Rowing Association (KARA), is starting an eight-week beginners' rowing camp at the lake for water sports enthusiasts from January 15.
The club, which is situated below the majestic Kempe Gowda Tower on the banks of Ulsoor Lake, boasts state-of-the-art facilities like a spacious boathouse, jetties, specialised rowing equipment, safety equipment, and a dry dock. In fact, the organisers claim that their facilities are ideal for producing Olympians in water sports. Even the theme of the classes is `Going for Olympic Gold'.
Enormous potential
"Our performance at the last Olympics was not good. We had just one rower participating. But the country has enormous potential. I am sure we can produce a medallist if we make the right investment," says Anand Shanker, Chief Executive, Catapult Connect. "But investment is not enough. We must first create awareness. We must make people look towards sports other than (just) cricket. For that, we must first provide people a feel of the sport before moving further," he adds.
The course lets people first get a taste of rowing before they can move on to more advanced training. The entire course will be taught in professional scull racing craft, which are easier to learn in than kayaks or canoes. The club has single seat, double seat, and quad seat sculls for this purpose.
"We are mainly targeting young school kids and college students to take up this sport. It is far easier to learn in sculls than on kayaks or canoes. A scull has very good balance. But it takes a very long time for someone to find their balance in kayaks and canoes," says Anand.
Different modules
The course is divided into modules that teach participants the various aspects of rowing like physical fitness, safety, rescue, first aid drills, learning boat types, parts, terminology, maintenance, adjustments, rowing techniques, boat handling, and practical training. The club also has a dry dock where students can practise rowing in a static boat. Coaches who have excelled in rowing will conduct the course, the organisers say.
As with any sport, safety is a very important aspect and this being a water sport involving children, safety cannot be ignored. The organisers claim to set very high standards when it comes to safety.
"Anyone who wants to take up this course must be a swimmer. That is the basic, the most important, and the only criterion. Everything else is secondary. Participants will have to sign an indemnity bond and the course includes an insurance cover for covering accidents. But we have an excellent safety team with motorised craft and professional coaches to attend to any problems. Also, the scull is self-buoyant, so if it capsizes one has only hang on to it and our rescue teams will get there," reassures Anand.
The classes will be conducted on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On weekends, the classes will be between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The fee for children between eight and 14 years is Rs. 3,080 while it is Rs. 3,640 for those between 14 and 21 years. The fee is Rs. 5,040 for adults. Each day's session will include a session on physical fitness. For more information, call 57615871, 57651450, and 9341287813 or email info@catapultconnect.com.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
|
