12-yr-old Aashray Thakkar of Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu makes waves at the SAIL INDIA 2019 National Championship

Mumbai boy Aashray Thakkar makes waves with his consistent performance in top positions sailing optimist class sailboats.

Balancing Sports and Academics may be difficult but very doable, and that’s what 12-year old Aashray Thakkar of Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, has been busy with during non-school hours. Currently, in Class 7, Aashray has managed to balance his studies and strenuous practise for sailing events.

He came with top honors on the opening day of SAIL INDIA 2019 National Championship organised by Army Yachting Node, held in Girgaum Chowpatty in Mumbai recently.

“Sailing is not just a sport to me, I feel free and one with the universe. Today, what earlier was a way to unwind remains something more than I can express. I simply love sailing!”, exclaimed the spirited young lad.

” Since the begining, Aashray has shown remarkable liking to the sport. His focus and discipline towards sailing is commendable and that’s what makes it easier for us to just show him the techniques of the sport,” says world champion and coach Amish Ved who mentored and coached Asian Games 2018 Silver medalist Sweta Shervegar and Varsha Gautam.

Aashray has been sailing every evening at AMS sailing Foundation at Versova Beach, Mumbai with other youngsters.

Aashray’s father Dharmesh Thakkar, is an avid sailor himself whose love for sailing seems to have caught on with his son. Dharmesh has mentored him through the initial phase of the sailing, but today Aashray’s enthusiasm for the sports is the driving force for him to scale new horizons.