Mangalore: Water Scooter, Boats, Make Panambur Beach More Appealing to Visitors
Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/CN)
Mangalore, May 19: The coastal city with its attractive beaches has always beckoned visitors to spend some moments by the sea. However, the failure to utilize this gift from nature had proved a setback to the tourism industry in the city.
This has all changed with the introduction of boats and speed boats at Panambur beach for visitors to increase the enjoyment of their trips. Boating is the choice of those seeking to enjoy the lapping of waves in solitude while speed boats are for those seeking some thrills and adventure in battling the waves.
The water scooter is also set to be yet another attraction on Panambur beach. Known as ‘wave runner’ the water scooter can go up to six kilometers on the water.
It is being tested at this beach because Panambur is known to be much tidier than the other beaches in the district. The lifeguards and the staff managing the water scooter have decided to operate it only when the sea conditions are ideal.
“I am often shocked to hear a question from visitors to Panambur beach about how many beaches the city has. They are not satisfied with my answer that this is a coastal city and the beach can be seen along the Arabian sea,” said Yathish Baikampady, chief executive officer of the company implementing the plans approved by the beach development committee.
A banana boat is also available for the people who want to feel a special experience like that of a fish.
“We have plans to develop Panambur beach to the maximum and we have taken an initiative through a committee formed under the chairmanship of Mangalore City Corporation commissioner Sameer Shukla. We are working to implement some innovative plans”, said Baikampady.
He added that the development of the beach through water sports, food courts, cottages, parasailing and weekend events, had already been planned and the introduction of the boats was a part of this plan.
Like other beaches in India, Panambur beach also has its own unique characteristics. Though the water has high tides, the risks can be minimized through following some precautions such as avoiding the water during high tides and when the sea is rough.
There are 12 lifeguards to keep a watch over visitors and sound alerts when it is unsafe to swim in the sea. Many lives have been saved through the timely action by these lifeguards.
Thukaram, one of the lifeguards, said, “We warn the tourists who swims in the sea when it is unsafe to do so. We are to here to save lives. But we think that prevention is better so we always caution people who are in the water when there is a high tide.”
Vasanth, Anil, Sharath, and Shridhar are always at the beach on a permanent basis while Suresh Shetty, a martial arts expert works here as supervisor to co-ordinate between the lifeguards and other issues.
Other lifeguards are found here on weekends and evenings when the beach is the most crowded.
“We can do our duty of saving lives. But the danger is only when someone goes into the sea despite being warned by us,” said Shetty.
The lifeguards also accompany the water scooter to help make the ride a safe one for visitors.