SUNDAY HINDUSTAN TIMES, MUMBAI 18 | sport | AUGUST 16, 2009 REDEFINE rush YOUR LIMITS A FITTER, BOLDER YOU [email protected] Off TracK PHOTO: AP Dhamini Ratnam ing through the water and the more ■ [email protected] extreme the conditions (wind and YANA BEY water) the higher the danger quotient. HIGH dventure sport junkies There’s always the inherent danger of swear by activities liKe being dragged or lofted while hooked parasailing and surfboard- to the kite, says Dartnell, but in Goa, If you have A ing. Now you can combine conditions are usually sedate. the two and throw away the Staying alert is key. “It’s the lines you tether into the wind. Yo u’ve just land- should take care of as they get taut in the will, you’ll ed in kite surfing zone. There are few the wind and can cut sharply if you’re ways as good as this to lord it over the not careful,” warns Bedi. elements and let both wave and wind The thing to remember, as you set combine to take you on a wild ride. off to fly over the sea, is to “go out only find the time as far as you are willing to swim back,” SOUNDS INCREDIBLE Dartnell points out. “A distance cov- What is the eligibility criteria for the two flier It is. Kite surfing combines elements ered in 10 minutes with the kite is an seats for civilians in the Directorate of Air of kiting and surfing, letting the wind hour’s swim back to shore.” Force Adventure skydiving course that pull you along the waves. There’s a you mentioned in your column last time? board with straps for your feet and a THE MAGIC INGREDIENT What is the scenario for adventure rac- HERE’S A whole new spin on flying a kite with either two or four lines con- So, if you must have a prayer on your ing in India? I want to get into adventure nected to a bar that you will grip. Yo u lips, let it be for a mild to strong wind sports full time as a professional, or start kite. Ever tried surfing with one? Read on are required to wear a waist or seat of at least 8 to 12 knots. And then just my own club. But I can’t get leave to go harness and a personal floatation device explore the coastline, letting the wind get training from an institute. for a taste of this radical high for safety. and waves do the hard work. HARISH PANJWANI Wade in to shallow water, strap on You must be physically fit for sKy- the board, wiggle into the harness, and diving. You should not have heart then wait for the wind to fill your kite ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW problems or hypertension. There is and do the rest. ■ For kite surfing lessons in Goa, call no fee requirement. Since most peo- Philippe Dartnell at 9860452162 or email ple don’t know about these two seats, DON’T KNOW HOW TO SURF? him at [email protected] . often only relatives of defence per- Don’t worry, you don’t need to. But you sonnel apply. must know how to swim. If you’re in ■ Classes start by mid-September. You Pure adventure racing does not good physical health, with no major can also get kite landboarding lessons (a use mechanised transport and there knee or back injury, you’re good to go. kite attached to a skating board) in Delhi is no such event in India as yet. Although, as Phillipe Dartnell, who (Richard Dartnell at 9810310509). There are many people who have teaches kite surfing in Goa, points out, ■ If you decide to teach yourself, visit juggled office jobs or family busi- that last requirement didn’t stop a boy http://kitesurfingschool.org /safety.htm. nesses and managed to do adven- with a prosthesis from completing a ■ To buy yourself some gear, you can call ture sport courses. Some have then four-day beginner’s course with him Rajiv Bhatia at 9920088873 or email him quit their jobs and made a living as last summer in Goa. at [email protected]. Or go to Selections instructors or opened their own According to Dartnell, all you need Store in Mumbai, Ozone in Bangalore, or adventure tour outfits. to learn kite surfing is four to five hours Champ Sports in Goa. A board will put PHOTO: REUTERS a day and a total of 12 to 14 you down by about Rs 20,000 and a kite hours. After that, it’s all about can cost between Rs 4,000 to 55,000. practice. “Ninety per cent of this sport is learning how to fly the kite — how to find the com/rush wind pockets, control the lines, tilt the kite to the right Like what you see here? There’s more. angles to use the wind well,” Rush has its own website where you can log on for slideshows, wallpapers, and videos. You can says 29-year-old Adam Bedi. contribute too by telling us about your own A veteran adventure junKie, who’d adventures on ‘My Extreme Moment’. had his fill of snowboarding, skiing, and You can also email at [email protected] mountain biking, Bedi first encountered kite surfing when he went to Goa’s As for starting a club, what’s stop- beaches in search of a new high. He ping you? Get together with some signed on with Dartnell, learning the other enthusiasts and do it infor- sport harnessed to his tutor’s kite, and mally. To do it formally, get it regis- was soon addicted. tered with the Registrar of Societies He discovered what you will, if you according to the guidelines. gave it a shot: It’s easy to learn, a great rush, and also makes you feel like a I love travelling, mostly to natural spots, dude, for doing something that very few and want to make a career of it. What can others are. I do that will be more exciting than being a tour organiser? I am also interested in IS IT DANGEROUS? backpacking. Kite surfing is the ideal blend of adven- HITESH K YADAV ture with minimal risk, especially if Being a tour organiser is as excit- you’re learning from a trained instruc- ing as you make it. Yo u can open a tor. The kite generates an immense company that organises nature hik- amount of power and speed while mov- ing, treks, bird watching, fishing and wildlife safaris. Forests, streams, hills and beaches will be your play- ground. You can do your pro- grammes with children, families, couples and corporate groups. Then there’s the soft adventure segment. Treks in hill forests can include cliff jumping or abseiling from a bridge. A beach trip can include parasailing. To stay ahead of competition, you would need to scout regularly for new spots and itineraries. Much of this would have to be done personally. Wouldn’t you enjoy it? Another option is to be a travel writer or photographer. Create a website with previews of your pho- tos and articles. To download and use them, people will have to pay. It will showcase your work and bring you assignments. If you can photo- graph but not write, team up with someone who has writing skills. TALK TO US ■ Write to our adventure expert Yana with your queries on [email protected] Frames Handlebars Brakes NUTS & BOLTS STAY GREASED Handlebars are different While road bicycles Frames are made OFF-ROAD WAYFARING from those in sports bikes in have rim brakes, you Mountain bikes face the Make sure the chain from aluminium, that they are fully upright, can choose for your danger of cracked parts, is adequately lubri- steel or aluminium flat and wide. mountain bike to from the frames, grilles, cated with oil and Get a mountain bike to have a alloy. Good moun- closer encounter with the pave- have disc brakes gear derailleurs and tyre the tubes aren’t tain bikes have (for the front tyre rims to sprocket wheels punctured. Always ments, dips and jumps that dot your smaller frames and Suspension and back) or even and worn brake pads. To avert mishaps, carry spare tubes and ensure the wider tyres mount- neighbourhood. If you have time to head These bikes have both front better, hydraulic scrutinise and fix the bike before use. wheel bearings are in good shape. ed on to really suspension systems (hard tail) ones. to the hills, so much the better. Go ahead, strong rims. and full suspension systems (soft hop on to a bike that’ll hold together no tail). The latter works best. Gas MONEY MATTERS shock absorbers are preferable matter what you throw it at. Your nerve, of over spring-loaded ones. Rs 10,000 Rs 15-40,000 Rs 1 lakh+ Go get a bike course, is a different matter altogether. For an MTB with at For MTBs with For Free Riders Mumbai: Firefox Bikestation, We give you the basics least front suspen- mechanical disc with carbon 9833040647; Gear Bike Shop, sion, 6 gears, a brakes or the more frames, a light 022-26409139. Delhi: Firefox strong frame and expensive hydraulic chassis and dual Bikes, 9910952220. Kolkata: Gears good traction tyres. brakes. suspension. Calcutta Traders: 033-2248829 A wide range of gears are helpful on particularly knotty trails. Gears may go up to as many as 35 depending on the climb and STAY SAFE the terrain you want the bike for.