It was around 5:30 in the evening. After negotiating the rate 15 of us, all boarded the boat enthusiastically. The anchored boat jerked as we adjusted ourselves on our wooden seats. I was seated near the bow. The rudder boy started the motor attached to the stern at the signal of the coxswain who stood on the opposite end in front of me.After navigating through a narrow passage between rows of rocks we suddenly realized the vast endlessness of the sea. All of us screamed and hooted as the boat motored along and this was all in merry spirits. But soon things were about to change. 

A strong wave dashed against the port-side and only a swift reaction from the experienced coxswain prevented the boat from toppling over. With the help of a long staff he steered the boat and saved us from falling into the unknown depths. The boat swayed left and right at the mercy of the sea. We rode a wave and then plunged into the trough and the cycle repeated. I was starting to panic and the life-jacket which I was wearing seemed just like some normal apparel to me now.

My care-free group members who had still not worn the life-jackets suddenly understood its necessity and we passed them a few which were lying in front portion of the boat. The coxswain asked us to move a row back for stability. A simple act of standing on the boat in the middle of a rough sea looked a very dangerous act now. Having shifted back things seemed to improve a bit. But another plunge into the trough drew out loud screams from us and this time the merry spirits had been replaced with the spirits of worry and impending doom. It felt we were riding a raging bull and could be thrown over any time.

The coxswain and the rudder boy seemed unperturbed. It was like a walk in the park from them. I was very scared and am never comfortable in the waters. The rocky shore-line almost 50 feet right of us seemed would be the resting place of a wrecked boat. The coxswain talked in Kannada with one of the senior group member. They discussed if we should return and finally decided to proceed as our destination, Kudle beach wasn’t very far. In-fact the ride from Kudle to Om beach had been a very pleasant one. We felt like we were boating on placid waters of a quaint lake.

But on our way back, the sea was raging probably aggravated by the full-moon and we were in a spot of bother. The office outing had turned into a big adventure of man trying to survive against the wrath of nature. The brave coxswain, our only hope stood tall and calm steering the boat against the powerful waves as our eyes longed for the shore. The swaying subsided as we turned towards Kudle beach and the waters appeared calmer that side. 

We were greeted by sheer relief after reaching the shore as the adrenaline-pump receded. The short trip had been one hell of a ride. Having survived the nerve-wracking boat-trip we felt like we had successfully managed a great escape. It was one of the most memorable events of the outing and I am glad that we can laugh about it now. 

P.S: Such was the scenario then that none of us were able to take any photos on that short trip from Om to Kudle beach despite carrying smart phones and cameras.