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A sailor at seven
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She is all of seven years and is a sailor. A profile of Shweta Sadanandan, one of the youngest sailors in the country.
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SHE IS of the age when kids are happy making paper boats; but she sails real ones.
That makes seven-year old Shweta, daughter of Captain P.T. Sadanandan, the youngest (girl) sailor in Tamil Nadu. ``There is a possibility that she's the youngest girl sailor in the country,'' says Capt. Sadanandan, a pilot in the Marine Department.
Shweta and her 11-year old brother Sooraj are members of the Royal Madras Yacht Club and the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association.
Every Sunday, Shweta and Sooraj are packed off, lunch and all, to the club to pursue their adventures on ``water''. ``They are so taken up with the experience that they don't want their parents there. They just want to be left alone with their coach, the sea and their boats,'' says the Captain.
Shweta has been training for ten months now. A Class II student of Chettinad Vidyashram, she also attends swimming classes at school. Asked about a day at the club, Shweta elaborates, ``We reach the club at 12.30 p.m., go through some routine exercises, have lunch at 1.30 p.m., rig the boats and set out sailing. Our coach follows in a `rescue boat'. We have two to three mock races. We unrig the boats and retire to the yacht club at 4.45 p.m. Then a debriefing session follows.''
Sooraj adds, ``Three boats are used. One is Optimist, which is manned by a lone sailor. Another is Cadet with two sailors and the third is Laser, which is faster, is for grown-ups.''
``I sail on a Cadet boat,'' says Shweta, while Soorja is on an Optimist.
Has sailing come in the way of school lessons? ``I manage to be among the top three in class,'' says Shweta.
Does she want to follow in her father's footsteps in her career choice? ``I want to become a famous dancer,'' she says. She is learning Bharatanatyam and ``I also know ballet.''
Capt. Sadanandan says, ``She shows keen interest in sailing and I encourage her. As for a maritime career, these days there are more avenues open for women in the field. There are a number of women radio officers.''
Shweta plays an active role in the cultural events at school.
She is good at other sports, too. ``I once won the all-rounder's trophy,'' says a beaming Shweta. Looking at this youngster, you know for sure that she'll go or rather `sail' places.
P.F
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