Sailing the Skies

Ascend

Life spurts from water, perhaps that’s why it also sports with it too. Water sports therefore are of one of the most challenging and adventurous activities. Last time when I went undertook swimming as a long term CAS activities I had learned some wonderful things underwater. This time, I planned to explore what happens over it during my visit to Goa recently. It is dubbed as India’s most tourist oriented state and one of the most delightful vacation destinations. However, a perfect place to do all sorts of action and adventure was what it was to me.  During my jogs along the scenic coastline of the Arabian Sea I saw various water sports being organized. I was fascinated to undertake such an activity. I approached Joseph, one of the water sport organizer of Baga beach and asked him to be my supervisor. When he agreed I instantly asked my CAS coordinator Ms Vijayalaxmi Kanate for consent. I then decided to undertake parasailing. The activity was expected to account for approximately 4 action hours.

Parasailing is one of those sports which are a colossal challenge initially but a rewarding activity for whoever takes the challenge. The first big thing is to be ready to travel in a small boat deep into the sea, away from land, where the parasailing boat can function. For me, it was a thrilling experience (not the most thrilling as I was about to realise). The literally maneuvered vertically as it hit the waves. One needs to be physically strong and at the same time be confident to surpass such a situation. As we approached the parasailing boat I was startled by the mere anticipate of what was about to happen. I never did such a thing before and it definitely was a challenge for me. I thought that the first thing which was necessary was physical fitness. That is to say, a person who intended undertakes such an activity is required to be able to stand by the physical hardship it demands. Surprisingly however, I was amazed to see one of the participants attempt such a thing despite his hefty body and no prior experience. I became more aware about the sort of people there are in the world. At the same time I realised that I myself needed to keep my theoretical assumptions aside and look at the real world.

One of member of my team went first and I got to see how it actually feels like. To an extent I was a little afraid to go up in the air since I could see how dangerous it was if safely measures failed. I did frankly, feel like quitting the activity. But I wasn’t a time to back off, I wasn’t going to get this opportunity again and so I stood firm on my commitment and told Joseph I would go next.

Up in the air!

Descend

Joseph gave instructions to wear the harness and other safely gear and also informed me about the technique required to enjoyably perform this activity. A rope is tired to a harness worn by the person and he/she is left in to the open air. The act of going into and returning back is a little technical. But once you are in the air, the view and the experience is unparalleled. I wish I could take a camera up there with me. I cannot forget the time I spend up there. I had to ensure I stayed in the harness and gripped the ropes well because below me, what the entire world; long stretches of ocean and massive patches of land. Although it wasn’t that high, but as I stared down at our planet, flying singly in the air, I felt a sort of connection to it. It was a sort of connect we experience about our parents or elderly—a sense of responsibility. One of most important global issues is attaining a global perspective. Thinking of the entire earth and its residents as our home can undeniably revolve many problems. This fact is known to all of us but institutions only seldom succeed in inculcating this outlook in their candidates. Hanging in air, up there, I felt that the torrent of emotions which I generated from this experience made me realise my role as global citizen more than any other academic source. I strongly believe that just like me, anyone who engages in such and activity will, at least to some extent, develop a global outlook. It was a strange epiphany. I mean, it is true after all that some incidences or activities, such as this, provide solutions to the most complicated problems faced by the civilisation and yet we struggle to find it in books.

Parasailing as seen from a distance.  

After getting back, I did feel I had undertaken a challenging action activity but with it was a strong realization. I have stated to believe that the global citizen in us will only come to it bloom when we actually see the world we live in one, and something which belongs to us. If we can obtain this experience from activities such as parasailing, then there are more worth than any lecture addressing the same.