Boat Pulling Regatta held at INS Shivaji in Lonavala

Boat Pulling Regatta was conducted at INS Shivaji on 26 November 2021 as part of Navy Week activities. The competition aimed to inculcate a spirit of adventure, watermanship skills, develop mental and physical strength, endurance and to foster healthy competition and team spirit. A total of nine teams, six of Trainee Sailors and one each of Staff Officers, Staff Sailors and Trainee Officers participated in the race and completed for the Regatta trophy traditionally called ‘The Cock’. The race was scheduled in the Shivsagar Dam of INS Shivaji. The team of Staff Officers won the coveted ‘Cock’ and the teams of Staff Sailors and Trainee Sailors secured first and second runner up positions respectively.

Races were conducted in the traditional 27-foot long boats ‘DK Whalers’. Each Whaler is manned by a crew of five ‘pullers’ (rowers) and one ‘coxswain’ (helm). The Pulling regatta has the mariners and naval practice of highlighting the virtue of pulling together in synergy, camaraderie and the influence of teamwork at sea. The boat pulling Regatta is one of the most prestigious and traditional Naval sporting activities conducted in the Indian Navy, which has been revitalized at Station Lonavala and INS Shivaji after a considerable time period.

All station personnel witnessed and cheered the participating teams in the race with enthusiasm. The event concluded with Cmde Arvind Rawal, Commanding Officer INS Shivaji and Station Commander Lonavala awarding ‘The Cock’ to Staff Officers team and medals and certificates to first and second runner up teams.