Cuttack: Though adventure lovers from the state are quite passionate about water sports, Kayak Polo, rafting and other forms are yet to take off. To remedy that, Satyaki Bose from Cuttack has initiated popularising water sports through his adventure group Odisha Maritime.
Currently pursuing graduation from Ravenshaw University, Bose has conducted multiple workshops and adventure sports events in Cuttack. Orissa Post interacted with him to delve deeper into the subject.
He said, “I have been interested in adventurous activities since childhood. I learnt to swim, and have won medals for a short stint. I was always inspired by the water activities undertaken by Naval NCC cadets.”
“I had plans to start my own business of paddle boats on Ganga Temple reservoir. However, 18 months were wasted due to regulatory hurdles. Hence, I along with my brother decided to buy a Kayak from Decathlon, Phulnakhara, for our own use. We enjoyed Kayaking a lot,” he added.
They started inviting friends and acquaintances. Till then, they had not thought of the developmental side of Kayaking. It took a definite shape when Decathlon started conducting Kayaking workshops. Satyaki and his brother Somen Bose took up the idea and developed it on their own.
As on date, Odisha Maritime has conducted a variety of activities such as Kayaking workshops, camping nights and river expeditions. Bose along with his experts has explored parts of Chilika Lake as well.
“We host a wide range of participants. From Govt officials to young IT professionals, everyone falls in love with Kayaking the moment they first do it. Lately, we are receiving female enthusiasts too. Kayaking workshops are an instant hit. The most tiresome experience is an expedition. We have had only one expedition till date,” a participant said.
Camping nights have been a huge hit with youngsters too. “The feeling of being together with friends on the bank of a river with a bonfire in the middle is an amazing experience,” Bose said.
As far as safety is concerned, Satyaki holds a professional water sports operator and Jet Ski license from National Institute of Water Sports at Panjim, Goa. He has received his training about open sea rescue and CPR in those certifications. “As on date, I am, maybe the only certified Jet Ski operator in Odisha,” he claimed.
“We haven’t received any govt assistance till date. Hence, I am extra careful about the participants’ safety and security. All the participants are provided with life jackets. We also conduct warming-up exercises before entering the waters so as not to injure them in any way. Sometimes we have faced situations when wild elephants come to close proximity of our camping areas. In such situations, we abandon our camps immediately,” said Somen Bose