Aquasailindia FAQs

Does Aquasail have a facebook page?
Yes. At

facebook.com, search for Aquasail India

. Or click this link.

If you have a facebook account, please don't forget to click the "Like"

button on the top right hand corner. That way you can get automatic, live updates from us…on what's happening... latest news, prices, products, photos, videos…etc. and you can share your experiences/photos/videos of your sailing trip with your friends.

Does Aquasail have an office where I can come visit?

Yes. In Mumbai, our office is located at Flora Fountain. (Near Akbarally's). The address is:
Aquasail Distribution Company Pvt. Ltd, 2 J, Calcot House, 8 M. P. Shetty Marg Mumbai 400 023, India,
Tel: +91 22 43600107, Fax: +91 22 2287 0825, Mob: +91 9987681826. Email: info@quasailindia.com
Click here for Google maps location

A well-known landmark is the Horniman Circle Gardens and the St. Thomas Anglican Cathedral. We are opposite the entrance to the Cathedral.

We have 2 world class Sailing Centers - At Mandwa, near Alibaugh, Navi Mumbai, and at the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim beach, North Goa.

What kind of boats do you have?

We have a whole fleet of boats
Kayaks	windsurfing kits	Small Fun boats for kids
Small Picos for kids	Multi Hull Hobbie Cats	Multi Hull Bravos
Beneteau 24.7 Large 25ft Sports yacht that can accomodate 7	Beneteau 34.7 a fast cruiser fully equipped with a bedroom, toilet, a small kitchen, and a spacious cockpit and saloon. The large steering wheel is a pleasure to steer with. It can accommodate up to 15.	Leopard 39 a luxury cruising catamaran with 3 cabins, saloon and a wide trapeze upfront.
Speedboats

I've heard you have a complete sailing center at Madwa? What do you offer there?
Can I book the whole center with food and beverages for an event?

Yes you can book our world-class sailing center which is located at Mandwa beacn (near Alibaugh - Navi Mumbai).

This center can comfortably accommodate a group of up to 50 persons for a whole day (or a couple of days) with food, beverages, and audio visual projection screens. You can use it for special occasions such as a birthday or corporate events such as a training program or corporate annual day.

When you book our sailing center, with food and beverages; you can also book, the boats and the sailing instructors, for a whole day (or several days) of sailing on the fleet of boats we have; docked there.

We are in the process of developing another sailing center in Goa, in partnership with the Grand Hyatt, at Bambolim beach- North Goa.

At this center, we ourselves often organize a whole day sailing fiesta which is open to the public, for just Rs 4500/- per head. The event, called 'Aquasail Splash' includes pick-up from the 'Gateway of India jetty' by the public ferry service; drop-back by ferry, breakfast, buffet lunch, and tea. Of course, during the day, participants get to go kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing on a wide range of boats such as the dinghy boats and fun boats for kids, medium sized catamarans, sports yachts, and big luxury catamarans. The exact date and time of our 'Aquasail Splash' is announced on our facebook page and at our website: Aquasailindia -Splash

I've heard that you offer 360 degree sailing opportunities? What does that mean?
What kind of sailing opportunities do you offer?

We offer a comprehensive array (...360 degrees) of sailing packages, ranging from our most popular short 90 minute 'discover sailing' trips in the mumbai harbor (costing Rs 3000/- per head) to around-the-world cruising/sailing hoildays. Below is a list of our products displayed on our website: http:/www.aquasailndia.com:

Aquasail Yachting Academy - Short sailing trips, Events, Specially designed learn to sail/cruise courses…for individuals, groups, schools, business organizations.
Sailebrations - Sailing for special occasions/celebrations/birthdays/anniversaries.
Aquatime - Time shares, Charters, Club facilities.
Sailience - Custom designed corporate training programs using the platform of sailing to develop leadership, trust, communication, team-work, innovation.
Regattas & Networking Events - Network with your clients, Race in sailing races.
Global Sailing Holidays - Sail to/in any location around the world, we'll set it up for you.
Yacht Sales & Advisory - Buy your own boat. Outright Purchase / Fractional ownership / Timeshares.
Marina development - We'll develop the marina you always Sdreamt of

What are your prices? How much do you charge?

We offer a wide range of prices and services. For instance, we have 90 minute sailing session on our 25 ft sport yacht, for 3000/- per person. We call it 'discover sailing.' Our 10-session 'Learn to sail' costs more. We also offer a 'Learn to sail' course. All learning sessions come with certification. Our other products such as our schools packages, corporate training programs, regattas, and special events, are custom built to meet your needs and your budgets. For more informatiion, see the FAQ abour 360 degree sailng opportunities.

I don't know how to swim, what happens if I fall in the water?

Everyone who comes aboard any of our boats is given a life jacket

. We provide these life jackets for the whole period of the sail and it is absolutely mandatory for you to wear these life jackets while sailing on our boats. These life jackets are designed to keep you afloat, in the rare event of you falling into the water. So even if you can't swim, you can still stay afloat and be safe.

All out instructors are experienced sailors and swimmers who are trained to keep safe and put your safety on first priority. In fact we hold regular internal safety audits to ensure we adhere to the high international standards set for safety in the sport of sailing.

I'm allergic to sunburns and heatstroke? Can I come sailing?

We provide free sunscreen lotion, drinking water, and light snacks on all our boats. Should you have your own particular sunscreen that you prefer, please bring the same with you.
We also advise you to wear sun protection glasses/eyewear

, a light cotton cap and light cotton apparel that you will be comfortable in. For footwear, waterproof, open sandals/floaters are preferable, high-heel shoes are an absolute 'no'. We also stock every boat with seasickness tablets and emergency first aid kits.

We take safety very seriously on our boats, read the answer to the question, "what happens if I fall in the water?"

I get seasick/carsick. Can I come sailing?

All of our boats are stocked with seasickness/car sickness/motion sickness medication and with emergency first aid kits. We also have had experiences where people who usually get sea-sick/car sick have had so much fun and excitement on our boats that they have completely forgotten their tendency to get sick.

We take safety very seriously on our boats (read the answer to the question, "what if I fall in the water?"

Exactly where do these boats sail?

In Mumbai, we sail in the harbor (the waters off the Gateway of India/opposite the Taj Hotel).

If you book a sailing trip for Mumbai, you will have to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled sail, at the Gateway of India* (*not the main Jetty where the big ferry boats dock, but at jetty number 5 which is located opposite the main 'sea-facing' entrance of the Taj Mahal Hotel).

We also have a sailing center at Mandwa beach, near Alibaugh (Navi Mumbai) and we are in the process of setting up a new sailing center in Goa.

I have never sailed in a before? Can I come sailing?

Yes. We have had the pleasure of introducing hundreds of simple folk to the fun of sailing with our ' 'discover sailing' package which is a comfortable 90 minute sailing trip in the harbor, for just Rs 3000/- per head.

Many of these first-timers have loved the experience so much that they have gone on to book our ' 'learn to sail' package. Some have just returned frequently with friends, for more 'discover sailing' trips.

Who is a Tindal?

The person who takes care of the maintenance of the boat is called the Tindal. When you come on board any of our boats you will meet your sailing instructor and your boat's Tindal. They are trained to help you enjoy you sailing experience and get acquainted with the different parts of your boat. Should you wish, they will even let you try your hand at sailing the boat for a short while.

What happens after I book my sailing slot, how do I prepare myself for my sailing trip?
What should I wear? What should I bring?

Once you book you sail, you will receive a confirmation in your e-mail along with a general briefing document that gives you an overview and a list of what to bring with you.
On the day of your sail, you will receive an 'SMS' reminder of your sailing trip. You need to be present at the jetty, at least 20 minutes before your scheduled sailing time at the Gateway of India*
(* please note, this is not the main Jetty where the big ferry boats dock, but at jetty number 5 which is located opposite the main 'sea-facing' entrance of the Taj Mahal Hotel).

It is advisable to wear light cotton clothes (shorts and a T shirt) that you are comfortable in. For footwear - waterproof open sandals/floaters, or closed sneakers/keds, sports shoes are preferable. High heel shoes are an absolute 'no.' A cap and protective eyewear (sunglasses) are useful

.

We provide a life jacket

, sunscreen lotion, bottled drinking water, and light snacks

for the trip.

We also stock seasickness/car sickness/ motion sickness pills on our boats. If you have a medical ailment (such as asthma), please inform your sailing instructor and ensure you enter details of the same in the mandatory Medical Form that you have to fill up when you arrive at the Jetty. This is why we prefer that you arrive at the jetty at least 20 minutes ahead of your scheduled sail.

When you have completed your sailing trip we invite you to give us your feedback in a feedback form.

I've heard that it's mandatory to wear a life jacket at all times when sailing on all your boats; do 'you' give these life jackets? Why?
What else do you supply?

Yes. , Our safety standards are high and in keeping with international safety standards in this sport, so it is mandatory to wear the life jacket that we provide you, for the entire period of the sail. Besides the life jackets, we also stock our boats with sunscreen lotion, bottled drinking water, light snacks, first-aid kits, and seasickness/motion sickness medication.

What happens when I come to the dock/jetty?

You will have to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled sail, at the Gateway of India*
(* please note, this is not the main Jetty where the large ferry boats dock, but jetty number 5 which is located opposite the main 'sea-facing' entrance of the Taj Mahal Hotel).

When you arrive at the jetty, you are welcomed by our staff and introduced to the different aspects of our services. You will then have to fill out the mandatory 'medical form.' This is a form where you can inform you sailing instructor of details of any ailment you may have (such as asthma for instance) and what medication you may require in an emergency. This is done to ensure your safety. We take your safety very seriously and adhere to the high international standards of safety laid down for this sport.

You then board a smaller motorized boat that takes you from the jetty onto your specifically designated sailboat where you will meet sailing instructor and your Tinal (the person who maintains the boat), and the rest of the people you will be sailing with. Your sailing instructor will maneuver your sailboat out of its moorings and into the open sea, while the Tindal will hoist the sails and get ready to catch the wind…and sail away.

At the end of your sail, we invite you to give us your feedback on a feedback form.

What happens once I am on the sailboat?

linux

Once on the boat, you will be introduced to your sailing instructor, the boats Tindal (the person who maintains the boat), and your fellow sailors. Your instructor will then get you acquainted with the main different parts of your boat and what role each part plays. You may choose to sit in the boat and enjoy the ride while your instructor sails the boat, or you can try your hand at sailing the boat yourself (with help from your instructor and Tindal).

What happens in case of an accident/emergency?

In the rare event of you falling in the water, your mandatory life jacket

will keep you afloat so they can get you out of the water quickly.

In the rare event of a more serious emergency our instructors and tindals are fully trained in emergency handling procedures which include alerting a doctor

and an ambulance.
All of our instructors and tindals are also good swimmers themselves.

Will I get an opportunity to actually sail the boat?

linux

You may choose to sit in the boat and enjoy the ride while your instructor sails the boat, or you can try your hand at sailing the boat yourself (with help from your instructor and Tindal). We encourage you to make the most of your sailing trip by trying your hand at the tiller and the different ropes that control the different sails.

Can I book a special sailing trip for a special celebration like someone's birthday/anniversary?

Yes. We have a whole range of sailing programs called ' Sailebrations' specially designed for such occasions. You can even book out sailing center at Mandwa beach (near Alibaugh) to celebrate the even with a group of up to 50 persons, complete with food, beverages, and entertainment which can include use of our kayaks, windsurfing boards, and the boats docked on the beach.

Do you organize sailing events for families?

Yes. We frequently organize ' Family Sailing Camps' at our international class sailing center at Mandwa beach (near Alibaugh) where we can comfortably accommodate up to 50 persons, with food, beverages, and audio visual projection facilities. Overnight stay accommodation can be arranged at comfortable hotels nearby. Full details of this family camp are at our website.

Do you organize sailing trips/picnics for schools?

Yes. We frequently organize ' School Sailing Camps' at our international class sailing center at Mandwa beach (near Alibaugh) where we can comfortably accommodate up to 50 persons, with food, beverages, and audio visual projection facilities. Overnight stay accommodation can be arranged at comfortable hotels nearby. Full details of this School sailing camp are at our website.

Can you please explain your 'Xecutive waves' partnership program for corporate houses?
As an HR Manager, how can I use this for employee recognition?

Reputed Business organizations such as Standard Chartered, Aditya Birla, CNBC… have come on board our specially designed ' Xecutive Waves' partnership program.
In this program, employees of these companies get special bulk discounts, if they sail as groups. HR managers use these offers as powerful tools for employee recognition and motivation. Additionally, we offer regular e-mailers and sailing content in digital format that can be hosted/linked to from the company's Intranet and corporate e-mail.

Employee motivation has shown marked improvement in our Xecutive Waves' partners.

I've heard that you conduct an unusual corporate leadership training program - one which is conducted on your boats, out at sea,
can you share some experiences?

Yes. we have used the powerful platform of sialing to conduct powerfil corporate training programs. You can read some of the reports of the programs we conducted for senior managers of the Birla group and the Binani Group. Call us on: 9987681826 to discuss what we can do for you.

Who owns Aquasail?

Shakeel Kudrolli is the Founder and Director

and Zia Hajeebhoy is Director, Aquasail.

Shakeel Kudroli is a lawyer by profession and a yachtsman par excellence. Shakeel won India its first ever gold medal on international waters in 1989 at the Asian Championships in China. He proceeded to win two silver medals at the Enterprise World Championships in Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1993 and 1995. At the prestigious UK Enterprise Open Championships in 1997, Shakeel achieved what no Asian has, by bringing home the silver.

Zia Hajeebhoy has worked at Hindustan Unilever, with over 20 brands and businesses in different areas of their lifecycle. Some of these brands include Harpic, Bollgard, Roundup, Lipton Tea, Investsmart and more. Zia is an expert in building retail businesses and in the area of brand and business strategy and organization transformation. She also has considerable experience working in brokering advisory, mutual funds and insurance sectors helping their business transform from institutional to retail businesses.