|
WATER
SPORTS IN GOA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Click
here for : Goa, goa beach resort, hotels in goa, goa hotels, tourism
in goa , Varca Palms Beach Resort
varca palms beach
resort
|
