Take A Dive Into The Goa State Of Mind!

For long, the popular perception of ‘watersport activities in Goa’ has been limited to mainstream elements such as jet-skis, banana boat rides and parasailing excursions. Additionally, other than shaking a leg to ‘Maria Pitache’ on one of the many cruise vessels, or trying your luck aboard the loud and blingy offshore casinos in the Mandovi river, the list of activities for a fun experience in Goan waters has been rather dry. But if you have done these activities to death and would rather dunk yourself in something that is far more rewarding to the senses and the soul, we have got your back! For the explorer, the curious, and for those with an affinity for the finer things in life, Planet Goa suggests a few offbeat and interesting activities to soak yourself in and explore Goa in style.

- Kishore Amati

SURFING, KITESURFING AND STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING Goa is one of the very few places in India where one can experience the true rush of adventure watersports such as surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding done in the company of trained professionals. The quintessential season time from October to the end of April is a conducive time for surfing –thanks to the thermal winds that keep getting stronger towards the end of the season. Vaayu - an adventure centre in Ashvem, has been conducting training courses in these watersports for the last 6 years.

One can opt for surfing courses that are a day-long or of slightly longer duration like 3 to 5 days based on one’s convenience or enthusiasm. The adventure centre also often enjoys families with kids doing the 3-5 day courses. It’s super fun.

Activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are somewhat easy yet extremely soothing and exciting. The best way to experience it is to paddle up to the estuary that bisects the north end of Ashvem and the south end of Mandrem, or go paddle up and down the ocean. But for those with an appetite for a raw rush of adrenaline there is nothing quite as rewarding as kitesurfing that demands higher levels of strength, technique and a bit of risk. The sport requires one to undergo a minimum training of ten hours that could be split across 3-5 days. It takes a while to get your balance right. But once you fall in love with the sport; feel that moment of rush, then you’re hooked!

The team also offers surf boards, paddle boards and kayaks on rent.