WATER SPORTS IN GOA
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Introduction
John Lucas, an Englishman, first came to Goa in the early 70s, a
time when thousands of young Westerners like him headed eastwards
along the Hippy Trail. Disillusioned with life in the West, these
youngsters came in search of a new life, which they thought the
great spiritual systems of the orient might have to offer. And Lucas
found his peace right here in Goa. A keen windsurfer, he returned
the next time around with his board and rig. setting a trend that
has made the colorful sails as common a sight as the palms
themselves.
Best Season for Water Sports in Goa
The best season for enjoying water sports in Goa is from October to
May when the skies here are cloudless and blue, and the waters
placid.
Windsurfing in Goa
Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires
the surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing
patterns of wind and water. By shifting his feet forward or
backward, leaning the weight to the right or left, and manipulating
the boom in or out, the windsurfer modulates and harmonizes the
fickle forces of wind and water to obtain the desired balance and
direction. To the expert who has honed himself in all these nuances,
windsurfing can indeed be an exhilarating experience.Most of the
windsurfing trainers and experts deems Dona Paula bay to be ideal
for the beginners. The conditions here are almost lake-like for both
the prevailing winds and the sea. The morning breeze is light and
steady. just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in
during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more
experienced.However, water sports have seen a stupendous growth all
along the Goa and have been largely responsible for the first
Windsurfing Regatta, now an annual event. This, along with the Open
Board Sailing Competition that lasts up to a week, are events that
all water enthusiasts have come to look forward to.
Dinghy Sailing
A pleasant change from windsurfing is dinghy sailing, often referred
to as . beer and sandwich. sailing. With the winds in Goa so gentle
most of the time, this particular sport offers its participants much
time to relax. Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa
and the Taj Holiday Village. These 15-odd feet long crafts hold
three to four people comfortably
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is also fast gaining popularity. Underwater visibility
in the more tranquil of Goa. s bays and lagoons ranges from five to
10 meters. Attractive coral heads, lobsters, bright colored fish,
and other marine life can be conveniently explored in these shallow
waters.
Water Skiing
For the speed freaks Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the
sea on speedboats. The . thoroughbred. amongst these, can achieve
speeds up to 30-40 miles an hour. These crafts, which can carry
between six to eight people, are available at the Cidade de Goa,
Oberoi, and Taj Hotels. They can be conveniently used for
sightseeing as well as water-skiing.
Angling
The beaches of Goa offer a varied and plentiful, almost
inexhaustible, supply to seafood, still incredibly cheap and
absolutely fresh. Go to Betul for Goa. s best and largest mussels,
brought ashore by expert divers. Go to Agonda (not to be confused
with Aguada) for all imaginable rockfish which, with any lucky, you
could angle yourself. Soormai, salmon and mullet are frequent
catches.
Other Water Sports
High fliers amongst the speed lovers can opt for parasailing. Both
the Taj and Oberoi hotels provide the necessary equipment for this
enthralling sport.A more recent addition is the water scooter. They
are readily available at Dona Paula jetty, Cidade de Goa, Majorda,
Oberoi, and Candolim beach.