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India Gazette
an hour ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Indian Open of Surfing: Srikanth D claims men's title
Mangalore [Karnataka], June 21 (ANI): Tamil Nadu's Srikanth D clinched the Men's Open title while Kamali Moorthy defended both her titles in the Women's Open and Groms Girls (U-16) categories at the 6th Indian Open of Surfing, the second leg of the 2025 National Surfing Championship Series which concluded in Mangalore. On Friday, Prahlad Sriram of Tamil Nadu also secured the title in the Groms Boys (U-16) category. Organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by Mantra Surf Club under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India, the national championship once again highlighted Tamil Nadu's dominance in all four categories. Originally scheduled from May 30 to June 1, the competition had to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions in Mangalore. It was later held behind closed doors, with only participants and officials in attendance, as per a press release. -Srikanth D Emerges as New Men's Champion After finishing second in last year's final, Srikanth D returned stronger and more focused, with a winning score of 14.63, edging out reigning national champion Ramesh Budilal, who finished second with 11.87. Sivaraj Babu (9.77) and Sanjay Selvamani (7.07) rounded off the top four. -Double Delight for Kamali Moorthy Defending champion Kamali Moorthy continued her reign as India's leading female surfer, winning both the Women's Open and Groms Girls (U-16) categories once again. Her score of 13.33 in the Women's Open final saw her convincingly beat Sugar Shanti Banarse (10.50), while Shrishti Selvam scored 2.47 to finish third. In the Groms Girls final, Kamali delivered a spectacular performance, posting the highest heat total of the event--a staggering 15.50--to seal her title defence. The young sensation finished well ahead of Aadya Singh (2.36) and Saanvi Hegde (2.20). -Prahlad Sriram Makes Waves in Groms Boys (U-16) In the Groms Boys (U-16) final, Prahlad Sriram emerged victorious with a total of 11.06, narrowly beating Harish P (9.67) and Som Sethi (9.30). The contest in this category was particularly close, highlighting the depth of young surfing talent in India. -Delayed but Determined: A Successful Edition The event was originally scheduled to be held from May 30 to June 1, 2025, but had to be postponed due to adverse weather and rough sea conditions caused by early monsoon activity and cyclonic disturbances in the Arabian Sea. Despite the disruptions, the organising committee, comprising the Surfing Swami Foundation, Mantra Surf Club, and Surfing Federation of India (SFI) ensured that the championship resumed later in a more controlled format, giving athletes a fair and safe platform to compete. 'While the event had to be rescheduled and scaled down, the quality of surfing remained exceptional. The Indian Open of Surfing, the second stop on the National Surfing Championship Series, faced some delays, but we were committed to ensuring that the competition took place, as cancelling it would have impacted the surfers' national rankings,' said Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of Surfing Federation of India and Director of Mantra Surf Club. Though it was a low-key event held behind closed doors, the spirit of competition and the passion displayed by the athletes were truly inspiring. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and commend every participant for competing with such dedication and resilience,' he added. (ANI)
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Monsoon rains wash out opening day of Indian Open of Surfing in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The sixth edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing got off to a rainy and reluctant start on Saturday, as organisers were forced to cancel all events on day one due to heavy rainfall and unsafe sea conditions at Tannirbhavi Eco Beach. With the early onset of the southwest monsoon and cyclonic disturbances in the Arabian Sea, high swells and erratic wave patterns made conditions unsuitable for competition. The Surfing Federation of India, along with co-organisers Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Swami Foundation, took the call to postpone proceedings after morning safety assessments. Originally scheduled to be held at Sasihithlu Beach, the event had already been relocated to Tannirbhavi earlier this week in anticipation of adverse weather. But persistent rainfall and choppy waters meant even the revised venue offered little respite. 'This is a sport deeply tied to nature, and today, nature clearly had other plans,' said Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of the Surfing Federation of India. 'While we couldn't start the competition, we used the day for registrations, kit distribution and an important briefing for participants.' More than 50 surfers from across India are taking part in the three-day event, which is the second leg of the National Surfing Championship Series. Notable names in the fray include Ramesh Budhial, Kishore Kumar, Kamali P, Shrishti Selvam, and Sinchana Gowda, competing across four categories — Men's and Women's Open, and U-16 Groms for boys and girls. Contest Director Nawaz Jabbar said the safety of participants remained the top priority. 'The wave intervals were too short, the sea was rough, and rain further reduced visibility — not ideal for a competitive surf.' Officials remain optimistic that weather conditions may improve by Saturday, allowing the tournament to begin in earnest. The Indian Open of Surfing is presented by Karnataka Tourism, powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathies, and supported by the New Mangalore Port Authority.
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Indian Open Surfing returns for its sixth edition
Mangaluru: Taneerbavi Beach in coastal Karnataka is set to come alive with waves and action as the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) returns for its sixth edition from May 30 to June 1. Recognised as one of India's premier national-level surfing competitions, the event forms part of the Surfing Federation of India's National Surfing Championship series. Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club, this year's IOS comes at a time when Indian surfing is riding a new wave of recognition—having secured two quotas for the 2026 Asian Games for the first time last year. Top national surfers across four categories—Men's Open, Women's Open, and U-16 Groms (Boys and Girls)—will vie not only for titles but also for valuable ranking points as they look to qualify for the Asian Surfing Championship later this year, the gateway to the continental games. 'This edition is expected to be more competitive than ever,' said Arun Vasu, President of the SFI. 'With Asian Games qualification now a tangible target, the stakes are higher and the athletes are hungrier.' With growing government and corporate support and a rising presence on the international stage, surfing in India appears to be gathering fresh momentum, and the Indian Open of Surfing is set to be its latest showcase.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Strong swell may pose challenge for surfers at NMPA IOS
Mangaluru: Stage is set for the sixth edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing (NMPA IOS) at the Tannirbhavi Eco Beach. Organised by Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club, under the aegis of Surfing Federation of India (SFI), the event will be held from May 30 to June 1. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This will be the second leg of the 2025 National Surfing Championship series. Adding a dramatic layer to this year's edition is the surf forecast, with wave heights predicted to reach 10 to 12 feet, on the competition dates. These powerful swells will demand precision, stamina, and strategy, elevating the thrill and the difficulty for competitors. The cyclonic activity and unpredictable weather patterns over the Arabian Sea may prove to be an unpredictable competitor, and play a spoilsport for the event. The heightened challenge will also have implications for national rankings, especially with the Asian Surf Championship 2025, a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games, on the horizon. Originally scheduled at Sasihithlu Beach, this year's competition is relocated to Tannirbhavi Eco Beach due to unfavourable weather conditions. The new venue promises comparable wave quality while ensuring better safety for surfers and spectators alike. "With a strong field of athletes and a challenging forecast of 10–12 ft waves, we are in for an intense and exciting three days of competition. This event would not be possible without the unwavering support of New Mangalore Port Authority, Karnataka tourism, and Cycle Pure Agarbathis, who continue to champion the growth of surfing in India," said Rammohan Paranjape, vice president of Surfing Federation of India and director at Mantra Surf Club. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the lead-up to the sixth edition of NMPA IOS, local competitions have been aiming to unearth regional surfing talent. These events build momentum ahead of the national championship and set the stage for a sustainable pipeline of talent.
India Gazette
29-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Three-day Indian Open of Surfing from May 30 at Mangalore
Mangalore (Karnataka) [India], May 29 (ANI): The surfing spotlight returns to Karnataka's coastal city of Mangalore as the sixth edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing gets underway tomorrow at the Tannirbhavi Eco Beach. Scheduled from May 30 to June 1. This is the second stop of the 2025 National Surfing Championship Series. Organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), this year's edition continues to serve as a pivotal leg in the National Championship series, drawing India's finest surfing talent for three days of high-stakes competition and valuable ranking points, as per a press release. The three-day contest will see over 50 top surfers compete across four divisions: Men's Open, Women's Open, Groms (U-16) Boys, and Groms (U-16) Girls. Among the biggest highlights for this round is the return of defending National champion Ramesh Budihal and Kishore Kumar, two of India's top-ranked surfers who missed the previous edition but are now ready to make a statement. They will join an elite lineup that includes Harish Muthu, Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani. All of them impressed on the Asian circuit in 2024, including standout performances at the Asian Surfing Championship and the Maruhaba Cup. Their performances were key to India securing a 5th-place rank in Asia last year and also securing two quotas for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Adding a dramatic layer to this year's edition is the surf forecast, with wave heights predicted between 10 to 12 feet across the competition dates. These powerful swells will demand precision, stamina, and strategy, elevating both the thrill of the contest and the difficulty for competitors. Due to cyclonic activity and unpredictable weather patterns over the Arabian Sea, the ocean may prove to be an unpredictable competitor and play a spoilsport to the event schedule. The heightened challenge will also have implications for national rankings, especially with the Asian Surf Championship 2025, a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games, on the horizon. Originally scheduled at Sasihithlu Beach, this year's competition has been relocated to Tannirbhavi Eco Beach due to unfavourable weather and wave patterns at the former site. While Sasihithlu has been synonymous with the Indian Open of Surfing for years, the new venue promises comparable wave quality while ensuring better safety conditions for surfers and spectators alike. This year too, the event continues to enjoy unwavering backing from key partners. The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) returns as the Title Sponsor for the second consecutive year, while Karnataka Tourism presents the championship for the sixth year running. Cycle Pure Agarbathies also continues its association as the Powered By sponsor for the second straight year. 'We are excited to bring the sixth edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing to the coast of Mangalore. With a strong field of athletes and a challenging forecast of 10-12 ft waves, we are in for an intense and exciting three days of competition. This event wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of New Mangalore Port Authority, Karnataka Tourism, and Cycle Pure Agarbathies, who continue to champion the growth of surfing in India,' said Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of Surfing Federation of India and Director at Mantra Surf Club. In the lead-up to the sixth edition of NMPA IOS, local Grom events have been underway, aiming to unearth the next wave of surfing talent in the region. These grassroots competitions not only build momentum ahead of the national championship, but also set the stage for a sustainable pipeline of talent. (ANI)
