SURAT: Chandrakant Jariwala, 58, was expected to lead a sedate life after his by-pass surgery in 1996.

But a decade later, he is literally swimming against the tide — in the rising waters of the Tapi.

Chandu, as this loom-owner is popularly known, is a member of the Chowpatty Swimming Club (CSC). This club of swimming enthusiasts actually jump with joy when water is released from the Ukai dam into the Tapi. So when the entire city is gripped by the fear of floods, these swimmers gleefully plunge into the river. Ashwin and Poornima Desai have their own chemical manufacturing unit, but when they put on their swimming costumes they are just ‘mama-mami’ for other club members. “Swimming in Tapi keeps me physically and mentally fit. Above all it is the community bonding, which is amazing,” says Poornima.

Prominent theatre personality Yezdi Karanjia finds solace in taking a plunge in Tapi at least thrice a week. “When I swim in Tapi, I can be with myself. I have been doing this for years and I can’t express the experience in words,” he adds.

These swimmers, most of whom are in their late 40s and 50s, swim from the weir-cum-causeway up to Ramnath Ghela smashan in Umra almost everyday.

“All of us are in love with Tapi. In the mid-50s, we were among the first ones to swim in the river and we even dived from the bridge. Not only do we share a passion for swimming, we also avoid discussing business matters. It’s literally a laughing club in the river waters,” says Bipinchandra Dhabuwala, 60, who has been swimming in Tapi since 1957.

The stressful business hours at the textile market simply has no effect on Chandrakant Kachhiwala, 61, who has been plunging into the Tapi since 1959. “People do not realise that swimming in Tapi is one of the best stress busters. It is necessary to learn swimming in a river, with the fear of floods always looming large,” he adds with a smile.

Source by timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad