I was hooked when I first got on to a windsurfer at the National Defence Academy in Pune, where I was posted in the early 1990s. The NDA, located next to the scenic Khadakwasla Lake, has an active sailing club. As a self-taught windsurfing enthusiast, I was able to motivate and train many a youngster in the NDA (and outside). I remained an active windsurfer for as long as I was in the Army, and wherever there was water bodies close by. I had a memorable experience on Lake Tsomoriri (about 200 kilometres southeast of Leh), where I windsurfed while it was snowing! At 15,000ft, this was the highest place I have ever windsurfed!! But windsurfing on the high seas is something that I wouldn't ever miss. Negotiating the blue waters, strong winds and huge waves - and the ever-present danger lurking in the dark, inky-blue waters below - is a different ballgame altogether. I got the opportunity to pit myself against the elements when completing a 400km journey off the eastern coast of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, from Diglipur in the north to Port Blair; I attempted this not once but twice, and with novice enthusiasts. I've also gone "island-hopping" in Lakshadweep - "surfing" from one remote island to another, then crossing the high seas to land at Kochi, a long and arduous journey of 515km over a period of 10 days. I still enjoy the occasional opportunity I get to windsurf when I am in Lakshadweep but nowadays I prefer scuba diving or snorkelling. I don't windsurf as much as I once did but I'm smitten with flying - offshore over the blue expanse - and landing on tiny decks!! .