Setting sail

Ferrying himself across the water in an Optimist sailboat is nine-year-old Zeus Shroff. "Zeus loves the water and any water-related activities. He joined the Optimist training program when he was eight years old and is very keen to shine in this sport,” says his father Darayus, himself a keen sailor. Accompanying his father to the yachting events held by the Royal Bombay Yacht Club over weekends, Zeus soon cast off on his own. At the Navy Day Sailing Regatta organized by The Indian Express in November 2005, Zeus was awarded a prize for being the youngest sailor to complete the race. Over 100 boats rode the waves at the Regatta. In the Optimist class boys category, 14-year-old Xerxes Bamboat bagged second place.

Zeus Shroff

"I feel very confident sailing in the Optimist on my own,” says Zeus. "I feel I can go into higher classes (of boat) and win trophies.” The Cathedral and John Connon student, who will go into standard four next month, also loves roller skating and often skates in the Rustom Baug grounds not far from his home in Mazagaon. Among his other hobbies are swimming, music, speech and drama.