With the aim of promoting sailing among the sub juniors, the College of Military Engineering Pune along with the assistance of members of a few Mumbai based clubs involved with promoting sailing in the country, formed the NOAI in January 1979. The NOAI is affiliated to the Yachting Associating of India and also to the International Optimist Dinghy Association.

The NOAI annually conduct National Championships and since last 3 years there have been separate Coastal and Inland National Championships. Championships have been conducted in Pune, Khadakwasla, Mumbai, Goa and Chennai. Participation has grown and in this year, there were 52 participants at the Coastal Championship in Mumbai and 37 in the Inland Nationals at Khadakwasla.

Optimist sailing has seen an upsurge in the last 3 years and various clubs in Pune, Mumbai, Goa and Chennai have been active.

Our young Opti sailors have participated in the IODA World Championships in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984 and 2001.and also in the IODA Asian Sailing Championships in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In the Asian Games we have participated in the Optimist Class in 1998 and in 2002 and also over the years in various Asian Sailing Championships.