Mangaluru: The arrival of the globally acclaimed J/24 keelboat in Mangaluru is expected to give a major boost to sailing activities along Karnataka’s coastline, with the Coastal Karnataka Sailing Club (CKSC) eyeing a larger vision of putting the region on the offshore sailing map.Describing the significance of the vessel, CKSC secretary Satyavir Singh Siwatch told TOI the J/24 is widely regarded as the world’s most popular coastal sailing keelboat, known for combining thrilling performance with stability and ease of handling. Widely used for competitive sailing around the world and particularly popular in Mumbai’s sailing circuit, the J/24 is expected to open new avenues for the region’s sailing enthusiasts. This is Karnataka’s first keelboat, he said.“While it is an ideal sailboat for families looking to spend time on the water, it has also served as the launch pad for the careers of several America’s Cup professionals. It is also popular for team building activities. Its proven design and global popularity have made it a benchmark in the sailing world,” he said.According to Siwatch, Karnataka’s coastline remains largely unexplored from a sailing perspective despite the existence of a sailing community in the state. It is ideal for island hopping. “Many sailing enthusiasts from Bengaluru travel to Chennai, Puducherry and Mumbai to experience the sport. The numbers may not be very large, but the sailing community is strong and highly connected. Sailors regularly exchange information, experiences and technical knowledge through online platforms,” he said.CKSC is now working towards connecting multiple points along the Karnataka coast to enable more people to experience sailing, even if only for short and safe coastal journeys. “Most sailing activities happen during the daytime, but many enthusiasts are eager to experience night sailing as well. Subject to obtaining the necessary permissions, we hope to commence sailing activities on the keelboat after the monsoon season,” Siwatch said.The CKSC volunteers have already undergone training in Chennai to handle such keelboats. The club is also exploring partnerships with organisations involved in water sports to expand opportunities for sailing enthusiasts. CKSC has initiated discussions with the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry on promoting sailing and marine tourism along the coast. Interestingly, a majority of the club’s volunteers are former NCC Naval Wing cadets. CKSC is also expected to acquire a Seabird sailboat shortly. CKSC already has a few Optimist Class Sail boats and windsurfers, young sailors from Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Mysuru are already undergoing training and participating in various national regattas.
