Kerala is an Ideal Location for Sailing – ABHILASH TOMY

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

(From Sea Fever by John Masefield)

Cdr. Abhilash Tomy is the first Indian and second Asian to have sailed around the earth solo, non-stop and unassisted. A naval aviator, Abhilash was attracted to seafaring and adventure at a young age.

His participation in the Golden Globe Race 2018 ended tragically with an accident and spinal injury. Now recovered, Abhilash is planning to race again in GGR2022.Abhilash is the recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award and the Kirti Chakra for valour and courageous action.

Minister for Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas had a tete-a-tete with the well- known solo sailor Cdr. Abhilash Tomy for Kerala Calling. During the conversation, the Minister asked for suggestions for furthering the Adventure Tourism scenario in Kerala and Abhilash came up with some healthy suggestions that would encourage the youth in the State to venture into adventure tourism.

Excerpts from the conversation

Minister: We are proud of you, as the first Indian to sail around the globe on a lone boat. As a person who has travelled to many parts of the world, Kerala, ,Department of Tourism is delighted to know your valuable views on Kerala where adventure tourism has endless possibilities.

Abhilash: It is a great honour for me to be invited by the Government of Kerala. In my views, we are loaded with resources. We are blessed with many hills, rivers and sea fronts so we can make the most out of it by fastening tourism with human resource management. Offers to swim in the sea, river rafting or mountaineering at a very young age would provide a foundation for personality development.Apart from that, it will help cope up with uncertainties. Practicing such adventurous activities would lead the towards a brave society. Not only that, but if this becomes a part of our community, it will keep track of the tourists putting impact on our revenue which is beneficial for the State.

Minister: Kerala is one of the states having the largest coastal line, even though ours is a small state; half of it is connected with the sea. Looking from the north, Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvanthapuram, all are coastal districts so the possibilities are infinite. As an officer in the Navy, you are familiar with the sea; along with that you also have experience in travelling to many corners of the world.In your opinion, how we can use our state in such a way.

Abhilash: I have sailed over many parts of the world; The Netherlands is on a 50 degree north. I have sailed almost all over including the UK, France, South Africa, Australia. All of these places are terribly cold and water there is equally cold.While sailing if the water drizzles on the body, it freezes the brain. We cannot even think that’s hard how the sailing condition is.

But, If you look at the water in Kerala it is warm approx 25 degree Celsius, which is a pleasant temperature noticing these backgrounds we need to encourage sailing. Kerala is an ideal destination for sailing, not only for sailing but for kayaking as well.

There are many more historical connects, from 1400AD, people from Europe approached our land through seas.By syncing the historical connects we can develop our tourism sector much more effectively. Plus we have many natural harbours. Along with that, people who live by the sea are equally curious.Millions of people flocked to the shore during the Beypore Water Festival which shows the natural curiosity people possess.Understanding that, we need to break the barrier and take people across the coast to the sea. If this happens, it would be a great success.

Minister: When it comes to Beypore Water Fest, I am representative of the Beypore constituency and we did not expect such a large turnout. We actually planned a ten days event.Then it was shortened to four days.When it went that way, we witnessed a rare full participation, so we decided to celebrate it every calendar year. The Department of Tourism intends to work on understanding the potential for such adventure tourism spots. But at the same time we have other water bodies such as rivers, lakes and backwaters.How can these to be active parts of adventure tourism in your views?

Abhilash: Backwaters of Alappuzha are the perfect destination for sailing. Looking on Isalmere in Netherlands, they have built a reservoir using fresh water. Likewise, Alappuzha is proud of its fresh water. So it will be splendid if the Department of Tourism takes a small initiative to organise a national tournament for sailing. That would be a breakthrough as it would attract people along with tourists. Usually we sail at sea water, and it consists of salt, along with disposals.On the other hand the reservoir in Alappuzha is very clean.A sailing championship came in to my mind when I visited there.It would be beneficial to the State if it takes place over there.

We can think of it. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is very active in Alappuzha; similarly, there are different possibilities in different parts of Kerala. After evaluating all that, rivers should be used effectively understanding their uniqueness.

Minister: We have made a special note of it, is there any other suggestions like this?

Abhilash: White Water Rafting and Kayaking can be done on rivers. We can set up it as an exploration rather than making it a competition. Cochin Paddle club, alongwithe Jelly Fish Water Sports have started exploring this through Kayaking, which opens a great opportunity for us.The rivers in Kerala flow through scenic places. if people come and watch the beauty of it, they will definitely come back again and again which will ultimately generate employment to the youth and income to the State

Minister: We can think of it. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is very active in Alappuzha; similarly, there are different possibilities in different parts of Kerala.After evaluating all that, rivers should be used effectively understanding their uniqueness. The Tourism Department is working on such a mission. Accessibility is a major problem in the State.Kerala posses the highest number of vehicle usage among other states, it is estimated that one third of the population owns a vehicle, that’s because Kerala is thickly populated and possibilities of road development has limitations due to vast density. That’s why the Government is working on Coastal and Hill Highways even being under limitations. Looking forward to the future, the coastal route is of great importance.Some of its designated areas have to be turned into tourist spots, where people can have fun, relax, and even it would open up a comfort zone for long distance travellers. This plan seems to be useful and effective when travelling from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. Glad to be able to talk so much, let me know if you have any further suggestions.

Abhilash: it’s a big honour for me to consult this closely with the Government.