News | Surfing Swami Foundation

Foundation Athletes at Mahabs Point Break Challenge 2025

by raviparanjape | Jul 3, 2025 | Athlete Development, News, Surf Development, Surf Events, Surfing

A huge thank you to @bb360.india BB360 and our dedicated supporters—Nishanth Singh, PS Walia, Brijesh, Yogesh Gupta, Alvis Goyal, Minal Mulani, Amita Anne, Aditya Singh, and Emma for empowering our team at the Mahabs Point Break Challenge 2025. • Pradeep Pujar powered into the semifinals of the Groms U16 Boys Shortboard. • Aadya Singh secured 2nd place in the Groms U16 Girls Shortboard. • Raju Pujar gained valuable experience in the U16 Boys division. • M Selvam took on a strong field in the Men’s Open, representing us well . The competition in every division was fierce—just the challenge our athletes needed to grow. Thank you all for believing in—and backing—their journey.

Indian Open of Surfing 2025 – A Showcase of National Talent

by raviparanjape | Jun 26, 2025 | Athlete Development, News, Surf Development, Surf Events, Surfing

This year’s Indian Open of Surfing in Mangalore delivered highly competitive heats, strong performances across all categories, and valuable brand support contributing to the event’s success.

Key Results by Category

These results underscore the strength of Indian surfing talent and promise for the sport’s future.

Men’s Open

1st: Srikanth D – 14.63
2nd: Ramesh Budilal – 11.87
3rd: Sivaraj Babu – 9.77
4th: Sanjay Selvamani – 7.07

Women’s Open

1st: Kamali Moorthy – 13.33
2nd: Sugar Shanti Banarse – 10.50
3rd: Shrishti Selvam – 2.47

Groms (U‑16) Boys

1st: Prahlad Sriram – 11.06
2nd: Harish P – 9.67
3rd: Som Sethi – 9.30
4th: Pradeep Pujar

Groms (U‑16) Girls

1st: Kamali Moorthy – 15.50
2nd: Aadya Singh – 2.36
3rd: Saanvi Hegde – 2.20

Support from Cycle Agarbatti

The event was supported by Cycle Pure Agarbatti, continuing its engagement with the surfing community and contributing to the event’s administrative and community initiatives

Athlete Recognition

A notable gesture of athlete appreciation came when the Men’s Open winner received a gift from BB360, a brand specializing in skin and hair care for ocean enthusiasts.

The Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol 2025, Mangalore

by raviparanjape | May 25, 2025 | Athlete Development, News, Surf Development, Surf Events, Surfing

The first-ever Grom Patrol in India just wrapped up — organized by the Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC) in collaboration with TT Adventures and Mangalore Surf Club Our athletes from the Surfing Swami Foundation made a clean sweep across categories:

Pradeep Pujar – 1st in U14 Boys, 2nd in U16 Boys
Sanvi Hegde – 1st in U16 Girls & 1st in U18 Women
Aadhya Singh – 2nd in U16 Girls & U18 Women

India Paddle Festival 2025: Full Results Recap of the International SUP Championship

by Ravishankar Paranjape | Apr 3, 2025 | News

The India Paddle Festival 2025 concluded in electrifying fashion at Sasihithlu Beach, Mangalore, showcasing three days of world-class Stand-Up Paddling action. Athletes from across the globe battled wave and wind in intense sprint and distance races, and the festival ended with thrilling podium finishes across multiple categories.

Here’s a full breakdown of the results from the second edition of India’s only international SUP championship:

APP Pro Sprint Finals

1. 🥇 Christian Andersen (Denmark)

2. 🥈 Antonio Morillo (Spain)

3. 🥉 Daniel Hasulyo (Hungary)

Consolation Final (All-India Podium)

1. 🥇 Sekar Patchai

2. 🥈 Manikandan M

3. 🥉 Selvarasan Nagamuthu

Women’s Final Results

1. 🥇 Esperanza Barreras (Spain)

2. 🥈 Sujeong Lim (South Korea)

3. 🥉 Chiara Vorster (South Africa)

Overall APP Pro Championship Standings

Men’s Overall Champions

1. 🥇 Antonio Morillo (Spain) – 18,000 points

2. 🥈 Christian Andersen (Denmark) – 16,500 points

3. 🥉 Daniel Hasulyo (Hungary) – 14,500 points

4. 🏅 Sekar Patchai (India) – 10,750 points (Notable Indian finish)

Women’s Overall Champions

1. 🥇 Esperanza Barreras (Spain) – 20,000 points

2. 🥈 Chiara Vorster (South Africa) – 14,500 points

3. 🥈 Sujeong Lim (South Korea) – 14,500 points (Tie)

Junior & Groms Categories

U-18 Overall Champions

1. 🥇 Aakash Pujar (India) – 16,000 points

2. 🥈 Keefe Anargya Pranoto (Indonesia)

3. 🥉 Martin J Patumsuwon (Thailand)

U-18 Sprint Race (Final Day)

1. 🥇 Martin J Patumsuwon (Thailand)

2. 🥈 Aakash Pujar (India)

3. 🥉 Raju Pujar (India)

U-15 Groms Sprint Final

1. 🥇 Praveen Pujar

2. 🥈 Aneesh Kumar

3. 🥉 Muhammadh Irfan

Community Race Results (4KM Fun Paddle)

The community race brought together recreational paddlers in a fun, high-energy format to celebrate the growing passion for SUP in India.

1. 🥇 Samanth

2. 🥈 Gokul

3. 🥉 Madhukar

Closing Ceremony Highlights

• Chief Guest: Suniel Shetty, renowned actor and native of Mangalore, felicitated the winners.

• His words paid tribute to the roots of the event, highlighting its spiritual and community foundation laid by late Swami Narasingha.

• The ceremony marked the perfect close to an event that successfully blended sport, celebration, and a global paddling community.

Final Note

India Paddle Festival 2025 has once again elevated India’s status in the global Stand-Up Paddling scene. With world champions, homegrown athletes, and enthusiastic amateurs all sharing the waves at Sasihithlu, the festival has proven that India is ready to ride the wave of global water sports.

India Paddle Festival 2025 Kickstarts with a Grand Opening!

by Ravishankar Paranjape | Apr 3, 2025 | News

The second season of India Paddle Festival, the country’s only international Stand-Up Paddling event, commenced on Friday with a grand inauguration ceremony, here at Sashithlu Beach.

Capt Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Dakshina Kannada, officially launched the International SUP Championship of the India Paddle Festival 2025. The opening ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests, Mullai Muhilan MP, IAS. Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada; Abhayachandra Jain, Former Minister, Government of Karnataka; Poornima, President, Haleyangadi Panchayat; Vasanth Bernad, Former President, Haleyangadi Gram Panchayat, Rohith Bhat, Managing Director, WrkWrk and and Sri Tristan Boxford, CEO, Association of PaddleSurf Professionals (APP), as per a press release from Surfing Swami Foundation.

The India Paddle Festival 2025, organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and Mantra Surf Club, in partnership with WrkWrk, and presented by Incredible India and Karnataka Tourism, will run until March 9, promises an exhilarating mix of elite SUP competitions and cultural celebrations.

Chowta, speaking at the inauguration, said, “I congratulate the Surfing Swami Foundation and the Coastal Tourism Development Council for their efforts in promoting tourism and water sports through events like the India Paddle Festival.

While the government provides policies and permissions, real progress comes from community participation. Local organizations and institutions must work together to make tourism thrive. Dakshina Kannada region has immense potential to become a major tourist destination, and events like the India Paddle Festival play a key role in showcasing our strengths to visitors nationwide.”

“I urge institutions like NITK to get involved, as students can become ambassadors for our region. Looking ahead, I am committed to making next year’s festival even bigger, with stronger government and corporate support. This event is more than just a competition–it’s a movement to strengthen our coastal tourism and sporting culture. I take immense pride in our region and wish everyone three exciting days of sport and celebration,” he added.

The opening day of the India Paddle Festival 2025 featured an exclusive workshop designed to help Indian athletes refine their techniques under the mentorship of elite professionals from the Association of PaddleSurf Professionals (APP) World Tour.

International stand-up paddlers, including Daniel Hasulyo, Christian Andersen, Sekar Patchai, and Manikandan, joined forces with young local paddlers for a spirited exhibition race, which was officially flagged off by Chief Guest Capt Brijesh Chowta.

The day wrapped up on a vibrant note with a captivating live performance by Alva Kuuto, an eclectic Tulu folk band, setting an electrifying atmosphere for the festival ahead.

As the India Paddle Festival 2025 unfolds, Day two will witness adrenaline-fueled races, cultural festivities, and an unparalleled sporting spectacle of the International SUP Championship at Sashithlu Beach. The schedule includes the APP Technical Distance Races for Junior, Open Men’s and Women’s categories, where top international and national athletes will compete for glory. Bringing an extra dose of adrenaline to the festival on Saturday, the Mantra Adventure Film Festival will showcase a captivating selection of Indian documentaries that highlight the spirit of adventure and extreme sports across the country.

With SUP in India witnessing rapid growth, the festival stands as a testament to the sport’s rising popularity, especially after India secured its first-ever quota in Surfing for the Asian Games. Paddleboarding enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and sports lovers are invited to witness world-class competition and immerse in a weekend of coastal adventure.

India Paddle Festival 2025 – Official Launch

by Ravishankar Paranjape | Feb 27, 2025 | News

Minister of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge unveiled the official creatives for the second edition of the India Paddle Festival – 2025 in Mangaluru on Saturday. It is the country’s international Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) event that will be held at the scenic Sasihithlu beach for three days from March 7. The event is presented by Karnataka Tourism and Incredible India.

At an event held at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, a video was played highlighting the success of the first edition and setting the stage for an even grander second one.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, “It is great to witness rapid growth of coastal sports in Karnataka, especially surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. The coastal region has truly become a hub for paddle and surfing sports, and I am delighted that we are now hosting the second season of this international event. Karnataka’s stunning coastline provides the perfect setting for such global competitions, and the government is committed to supporting initiatives that boost adventure tourism and local sporting talent.”

Minister of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge unveiling the official creatives for the second edition of the India Paddle Festival – 2025 at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management in Mangaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation, the event will witness top international paddlers from the Association of Paddle Surf Professionals (APP) World Tour, as well as emerging Indian athletes, competing on a global stage. The festival aims to promote Stand-Up Paddleboarding and surfing tourism in the region, further establishing Karnataka as a hub for adventure sports.

Ram Mohan Paranjape, Director, Surfing Swami Foundation, explained the arrangements made for the event.

The festival will witness an action-packed schedule with elite SUP competitions, community races, and interactive workshops for athletes and enthusiasts alike, a release from the foundation said.