Bengaluru: BBMP partners with RMSC to promote sailing at Yelahanka Lake

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), in collaboration with the Royal Mysore Sailing Club (RMSC), has launched a beginner-friendly sailing course at Yelahanka Lake. The initiative aims to promote water sports in the city while making sailing accessible to beginners with no prior experience.

Announcing the initiative on social media, the RMSC said it will offer a Beginner’s Course in Small Boat Sailing through multiple batches. The programme is priced at ₹14,500 plus tax and includes certified instruction, practical sessions, and a Basic Skills Certificate upon completion.

Training modules and course details

The sailing course will cover the fundamentals of the sport, including:

  • Boat rigging and rope work
  • Basic manoeuvres and handling techniques
  • Rescue procedures and safety measures

Participants who successfully complete the Level One training can later progress to Level Two and Level Three courses.

The club clarified that walk-in entries will not be entertained, and interested candidates must register online. While this course is fee-based, the RMSC stated that charges are not fixed across all programmes, with some training sessions being offered on a complimentary basis.

Sailing in Karnataka

In India, sailing is primarily practised by the Indian Navy, Indian Army, and about 25 civilian sailing clubs. In Karnataka, the Karnataka State Sailing Association (KSSA) has organised sailing competitions in the backwaters of KRS Dam for the past four years.

The RMSC initiative with BBMP represents one of the few structured opportunities for Bengaluru residents to learn sailing at a local water body.

Previous water sports initiatives

This is not the BBMP’s first venture into water sports. The civic body has earlier tied up with the Kayaking & Canoeing Association of Karnataka (KCAK) to conduct training at Yele Mallappa Chetty Lake.

In the past, the Karnataka Amateur Rowing Association also operated a rowing facility at Madiwala Lake. However, the activity was discontinued two years ago after the lake was transferred from the Forest Department to the BBMP.

Conclusion

The new sailing course at Yelahanka Lake adds to BBMP’s ongoing efforts to promote recreational water sports in Bengaluru. With structured training, certification, and expansion plans, the programme offers an opportunity for enthusiasts to explore a niche sport that has so far been limited to military institutions and select civilian clubs.