If you have the will, you’ll find the time

Yana Bey answers the questions that readers put across regarding various adventure sports as well as backpacking.

What is the eligibility criteria for the two seats for civilians in the Directorate of Air Force Adventure skydiving course that you mentioned in your column last time? What is the scenario for adventure racing in India? I want to get into adventure sports full time as a professional, or start my own club. But I can’t get leave to go get training from an institute. - Harish Panjwani

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You must be physically fit for skydiving. You should not have heart problems or hypertension. There is no fee requirement. Since most people don’t know about these two seats, often only relatives of defence personnel apply.

Pure adventure racing does not use mechanised transport and there is no such event in India as yet.

There are many people who have juggled office jobs or family businesses and managed to do adventure sport courses. Some have then quit their jobs and made a living as instructors or opened their own adventure tour outfits.

As for starting a club, what’s stopping you? Get together with some other enthusiasts and do it informally. To do it formally, get it registered with the Registrar of Societies according to the guidelines.

I love travelling, mostly to natural spots, and want to make a career of it. What can I do that will be more exciting than being a tour organiser? I am also interested in backpacking. - Hitesh K Yadav

Being a tour organiser is as exciting as you make it. You can open a company that organises nature hiking, treks, bird watching, fishing and wildlife safaris. Forests, streams, hills and beaches will be your playground. You can do your programmes with children, families, couples and corporate groups.

Then there’s the soft adventure segment. Treks in hill forests can include cliff jumping or abseiling from a bridge. A beach trip can include parasailing. To stay ahead of competition, you would need to scout regularly for new spots and itineraries. Much of this would have to be done personally. Wouldn’t you enjoy it?

Another option is to be a travel writer or photographer. Create a website with previews of your photos and articles. To download and use them, people will have to pay. It will showcase your work and bring you assignments. If you can photograph but not write, team up with someone who has writing skills.