Onlookers watch open-mounted as an athlete, with the japanese flag emblezoned on his watsuit balances defted on one leg, and juggles three neon balls in the air. This is just the beginning of his warm up. Athletes from South Korea and India Are Not Too far Away, Calmly Working on his own warm-up routines before picking up their surfboards.

At mamallapuram, where the 4th asf asian surfing championships 2025 has kicked off, there are laser-focused athletes from 19 asian countries including India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, AFGANISTAN, Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh and the Philippines Ready to take on the waters. Team India is ready too, with eight of its 12 athletes from Tamil Nadu. The championships will take place 12.

“What started off as a small csr activity in kovalam with two surf schools have grown to 12 schools there and four here in mamallapuram. Also been focusing on the sporting side of things through the federation, “Says arun vasu, president, surfing federation of India.

The setting for the surfing championships is dramatic. On the beach, in front of the shore temple, there are athletes patiently waiting their turn and some others, wading into the sea with their surfboards. This is not just an amazing Unesco site, but also a great surf point, “arun adds, give how mamallapuram is framed for its consistent waves and its sandbar breaks.

Several Athletes Competing in the Open Men and Women Categories as Well as the under-18 Categories Began to Arrive in Mamallapuram a week ago, to quite literally, Test the Water. Wetsuits in Pinks and Blues, and Carrying Surfboards that are painted with stars, waves and hearts, the athletes mill eound the beach, eather waiting to paddle in or cheering their teachers on.

When I met the Indian team in Maldives Last Year, I was Told The Waves Here Wave and I was So Excted to come here and surf. Safe, “Says aniq kailani, a 20-yar old athlete from singapore having just finished a round of heats.

“The East Coast is all about energy, and it is great for grow,” Says Ramesh Budihal, A Team India Athlete. “During the off-season, I come here to improve my surfing and then go back to the west coast. These waves are high performance; surfers just start from just start from the younger generations will Quickly Portly Port Just need a less basic classes and then with consistent practice, ”He adds.

The Asian Surfing Championships will take place Till August 12

Out on the beach, the teams sit under giant umberllas and a temporary marquee as they train their eyes on the sea. There are some athletes bobbing on the waves and a less others paddling into the sea. As Loud Announcements Mark The Start and End of Consecuitu the rounds of heats, the weather slowly becomes unforgivingly hot. This isn’t a big challenge thought for the surfers, many of who train in malaysia, Maldives and Bali.

“I live in Bali and I met Several Teams Here who also train extended Food here, “Laughs Naiif Alkhatrash, A 48-Old Athlete representing kuwait.

Even if not in equal numbers, there are women surfers from access asia who are participating in the championships. With human of them being surf Instructor themselves, they are hight things are looking up for better representation of women in the sport.

“In Most International Competitions, There are probably 20 to 30 women for every 150 men who compe. Team India Athlete Who also co-ovens kove surf school in Kovalam. Kovalam and mamallapuram, she says, are places she have always felt safe at.

For 40-Year-old mona rasidah from malaysia who have been surfing from the time she was 24, the sport has come to mean a connection with nature, one she simply cannot let go. “I Teach Young Girls and Women Back Home and Encourage them to go for the shortboard division of the longboard division, which is the more classic and popular one,” Says the athlete, “Says the athle Still be surfing even at 50.

Shishti Selvam from Team India

Chennai has had fair share of young surfing talents over the year, some of who join young rising stars from across asia in the U -18 Categories in the championships. The young stars are philosophical and wise beyond their years, when asked about the sport. “I think surfing is way better than video games. You get so many benefits,” Says 13-yar-old yousef fadhil from Saudi Arabia.

Tayin Arun, A 16-YLD Rising Surf Star from Team India, Firmly Believes That Sport Helps One Learn a Lot About Life. Surfing is best Learned when seen and observed, and all these athletes here have so much so much so much experience.

Published – August 06, 2025 05:14 PM IST