By Aparmita Das
As the sun-kissed waves danced along the horizon, Lt Col Alok Yadav’s gaze settled upon the serene and majestic Umiam lake that lay before him. The splendour of its crystal-clear waters and the gentle whisper of its breeze beckoned to his soul, and he could not help but marvel at its natural beauty.
For 20 long years, he had been sailing along with tirelessly organising national-level championships for over a decade, honing his skills as a sailor and as a leader.
Arriving in Meghalaya, the idyllic corner of the world, he felt his heart stir with a new passion. The call of Umiam was irresistible – he knew that he could not rest until he had shared its wonder with the world – a spark was lit within him; determination that burned brighter with each passing day.
The promise of adventure engulfed him. “Why should sailing not happen here?” he mused to himself.
Soon, news of water sports activities in Meghalaya piqued his interest. “I presented some proposals within the army, which led to the successful Rising Sun Water Fest, a sailing event organised by the Army Eastern Command last year.”
Drawn by the irresistible magnetism of the event, the Meghalaya government lent its unwavering support, emboldening Yadav to engage with officials. He wished to continue the initiative, a burning desire to seize the moment and create something special.
“As a sailor myself, I have the technical expertise to establish a club and manage the procurement of boats, among other requirements. I created all the necessary documents and approached relevant officials for their support,” he said.
This resulted in the formation of the Umiam Sailing Club (USC), with the state government officers serving as its official office bearers. Presently, they have approximately 20 boats of varying types, some of which have already arrived.
Once established, the members of the club took on an exciting challenge – to organise the North East Regatta 2023.
Recognised by the esteemed Yachting Association of India (YAI) as a personality championship, the club approached them with confidence and enthusiasm, who on quickly recognising their potential, granted approval for the event.
Speaking on the necessary infrastructure to transform Umiam into a fully-fledged international sporting regatta venue, Yadav responded confidently, “We need to create a proper sailing club venue. I have been in close communication with government officials from both the sports and tourism departments, and we are already working towards achieving this goal.”
He explained that a port shed for boat storage and a jetty for boat launch and recovery are in the works, along with platforms and other vital infrastructure to cater to guests’ needs. “We also need a clubhouse, which will be constructed above the boat shed to provide a stunning view of the lake. During non-regatta periods, it can be used as a viewpoint gallery,” he added.
He emphasised the need to cater to various segments of sailing, including competitive adventure, recreational and leisure sailing, including the luxurious aspects of the sport. “We need to ensure that all guests can enjoy a seamless sailing experience,” he said, adding, “This will also promote tourism in the area.”
“In addition, we require a regatta office, which is already in place. We’re looking to buy more boats to cover all segments of sailing. This is a crucial step towards making Umiam a premier international sporting regatta venue,” Yadav said.
On the nature of training required by seafarers to partake in the grand Northeast Boating Regatta, he stated, “Like any other sport, sailors must start with the basics and then progress to the intermediate and advanced techniques. We have already conducted two coaching camps in the last six months to train the local population.”
“We have also trained around nine local sailors; one of them is participating for the second time. He competed last year as well. Our plan is to take them out for exposure to other clubs, where they can learn from the best and enhance their skills. They can then start participating professionally, based on their skillset. We are confident in their abilities and have high hopes for their future success,” he added.
A comprehensive plan is in place for the training and development of sailors. “We have identified various opportunities throughout the year, both within the region and across the country, where sailors can receive further training and exposure. This plan is being developed and will be rolled out soon… within the next week or so,” he said.
The conversation soon turned to sailing and its impact on the environment. The question at hand – what are some of the environmental concerns related to sailing, and how does USC address them?
He had a deep understanding of the intricacies involved. “I had been monitoring the club for over 15 months and had come up with data to address these concerns. The water level has gone down about 30 to 40 feet since last November, but we are working on a concept to regulate the water level so that it does not go down even when the floodgates are closed.”
The army officer delved deeper into the issue of wind conditions, explaining that the ideal wind conditions were in March and the first week of April, but because of various planning parameters and time constraints, they had to conduct sailing in April this year. However, he was quick to reassure the winds were very steady during these months and the hills were not a hindrance.
He also pointed out that the lake was an ideal location for grassroots and competitive-level sailing, as opposed to Asian and Olympic class training –different venues on the east and west coasts and other inland waters were required. That said, he emphasised that Umiam was an excellent location for sailing and probably the only place in the area it could be done year-round.
He shared how sailing differed from other water sports, such as kayaking or rowing, and what skills were essential for success in this exhilarating activity. Yadav spoke of the unique challenges and differences that distinguish sailing from other water sports. “It requires a combination of mental and physical skills, and is an adventure that marries competition and adventure.”
While other sports can also provide a sense of adventure, he shared his observation in how sailing is indeed in a class of its own, given that every situation is different. Much depends on the sailor’s ability to adapt to the constantly shifting wind and water conditions.
“Success in sailing requires not only skill but also a deep understanding of the elements and an intuitive connection with the sea. You need to master the art of setting yourself right, so you can move forward. This means that every part of your body, including your arms, muscles, abdomen, calf muscles, and wrist, needs to be in sync to navigate the boat successfully,” Yadav said.
He further emphasised, “Apart from the technicalities, sailing is also an adventure and leisure activity. You can relax and enjoy the experience while admiring the beauty of the surrounding nature. It is also quite glamorous to watch, making it a popular sport for spectators.”
It is difficult to not be drawn into the world of sailing. Such is the magic of this sport that captures the essence of adventure and the beauty of nature in a way that is both exhilarating and awe-inspiring.
The excitement in Yadav’s voice was palpable when he responded to a query: how could aspiring sailors learn and become more involved in this sport?
He offered a piece of advice that was as practical as it was poetic, “If you wish to learn to sail, my advice is simple: follow your passion and never give up.”
“We are currently working on a potential sailor selection program. Twice a year, we will hold a talent hunt drive based on physical parameters, and from there, we will provide training to those who show potential. Those who demonstrate true passion and exceptional skills will be selected for advanced training. Our goal is to involve more people from Meghalaya in this incredible sport, and we hope that this programme will help us achieve that,” he said, with a twinkle in his eyes.