We’re excited to announce our recent acquisition of new and used high-performance surfboards for our dedicated athletes. The event was attended by notable individuals, including Mr. ANUPAM AGRAWAL IPS, Mangalore Police Commissioner, and Mr. Dikshith Rai, CEO of CodeCraft Technologies.
We were also honored to have Mr. Gaurav Hegde, Director of the Surfing Swami Foundation, Rammohan Paranjape, Vice-President of the Surfing Federation of India, and Shamanth Kumar, Head Coach at Mantra Surf Club, join us for this special occasion. Their presence made the distribution of surfboards to our Surfing Swami Foundation athletes even more significant.
These surfboards will equip our athletes with the tools they need to improve their surfing skills. Our athletes will now have the opportunity to practice various maneuvers, enhancing their proficiency in the sport. This will better prepare them to represent our nation in both national and international surfing competitions.
As we embark on this exciting journey with our athletes, we extend our best wishes for their success in the world of surfing. Together, we aim to reach new heights and bring glory to our community and country
The 4th edition of Indian Open of Surfing (National Surfing Championship), presented by Karnataka World, has come to a resounding conclusion, leaving in its wake an indelible mark on the surfing community. This action-packed event, hosted by Mantra Surf Club and organized by Surfing Swami Foundation, provided a captivating platform for India’s top surfers to showcase their skills and passion for the sport. under the aegis of Surfing Federation of India, the event received overwhelming support from sponsors, including Novigo Solutions, CodeCraft Technologies, Semnox, Rohan Corporation, Northern Sky Properties, Jaintubes, and the power sponsor Cycle Pure Agarbathi. Let’s dive into the highlights and celebrate the triumphant success of this thrilling event.
(Inaugurated the competition with a small puja to Surfing Swami and the ocean)
Celebrating the Athletes: Throughout the Indian Open of Surfing, the level of surfing prowess on display was simply awe-inspiring. From powerful maneuvers to graceful rides, the athletes demonstrated their mastery over the waves, leaving spectators in awe. One standout performance was by Kishore Kumar, who dominated the Men’s Open and Men 16 and under categories with exceptional skill and determination. Likewise, Kamali Moorthy showcased her remarkable talent by claiming victory in the Women’s Open and Girls 16 and under categories. These young surfers displayed immense potential, competing alongside seasoned veterans and securing their place among the surfing elite.
(Kishore Kumar dominating both Men’s Open and Under 16 categories)
(Kamali Moorthy dominating Women’s Open and Women’s under 16 categories)
Unwavering Support and Recognition: The success of the Indian Open of Surfing would not have been possible without the invaluable support of sponsors and organizers. Novigo Solutions, CodeCraft Technologies, Semnox, Rohan Corporation, Northern Sky Properties, Jaintubes, and power sponsor Cycle Pure Agarbathi played a pivotal role in powering the event and elevating the surfing experience to new heights. Their unwavering commitment to the sport and their belief in the potential of Indian surfing deserve our heartfelt appreciation.
(A heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors and supporters)
The Grand Finale and Spectator Engagement: As the event reached its grand finale, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. Spectators and dignitaries alike gathered to witness the thrilling showdowns that unfolded in the finals. The surfers, fueled by the cheers and encouragement, pushed their limits, riding wave after wave with unparalleled skill and grace. The spectators’ unwavering support created an unforgettable energy, truly embodying the essence of the surfing community.
Looking Towards the Future: The Indian Open of Surfing was more than just a competition. It was a celebration of the present and a glimpse into the promising future of Indian surfing. The event served as a stepping stone for the growth and development of the sport in India, inspiring young surfers to follow their passion and embrace the waves. With every edition, the Indian Open of Surfing continues to push boundaries, nurture talent, and foster a vibrant surfing culture within the country.
(The future of surfing looks great!)
The Indian Open of Surfing stands as a testament to the incredible talent, determination, and camaraderie that defines the surfing community in India. The event brought together athletes, sponsors, organizers, and spectators in an exhilarating celebration of the sport. With the success of this edition, the future of Indian surfing looks brighter than ever. As we reflect on the highlights and accomplishments of the event, we eagerly await the next chapter, where new surfers will rise, boundaries will be pushed, and the waves will be conquered with even greater skill and passion. The Indian Open of Surfing has set the stage for an exciting future, where India’s surfers will continue to make their mark on the international surfing scene.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors who wholeheartedly supported this event, recognizing the importance of fostering the growth of surfing in India. Their contributions have played a crucial role in making the Indian Open of Surfing a resounding success and ensuring a vibrant and thriving surfing community.
(The team that made it all happen!)
As we bid farewell to this edition of the Indian Open of Surfing, let us carry the spirit of camaraderie, inclusivity, and passion for the sport with us. Let’s continue to support and uplift the surfers, celebrate their achievements, and inspire others to embrace the joy of riding the waves.
Until the next exhilarating chapter of the Indian Open of Surfing, keep the stoke alive, continue to explore the power of the ocean, and let the waves be your playground. Surf’s up!
Surfing Swami Foundation presents the 3rd edition of “Bolas Mantra Grom Search” 2022. The competition, which was held on Panambur beach, was a grand success that saw great talents displaying quality surfing from young girls and boys from the Mangalore region. KG Nath, deputy chairman, of NMPT, was also present as the chief guest for the event.
The event was flagged off by Gaurav Hegde, director of the Surfing Swami Foundation.
Head Judge Shamanth Kumar said 25 athletes have taken part in this competition and that the talent among the athletes has improved significantly. The surfing schools such as Mantra Surf Club, Indica Surf School, and Mangalore Surf Club have been coaching children from the age of six.
Gaurav Hegde said “Surfing Swami Foundation provides free training, surfing equipment, and scholarship for 15 athletes every year. The best six competitors will be participating in the upcoming national event “Indian Open of Surfing” which will be held at the end of the month at Panambur beach.
The prize distribution ceremony took place post the competition and was distributed by KG Nath – Dy Chairman NMPT, and Rammohan Paranjape – VP for Surfing Federation of India.
Bolas Mantra Grom Search 2022
Boys preparing for the heat
Praveen attempting a cutback
Selva with a successful cutback
Happy groms
Just kissed the lip
Sanvi’s not so big wave moment
Pradeep ripping
Ojal showing everyone how to fly
Head Judge Shamanth Kumar explaining how to win points
Sinchana in her zone
The youngest grommet
And she won the third price in girls (under 20)
Sinchana carrying home first price
Ojal bagged the 3rd place
Hanumantha bagged 2nd place
Praveena bagged 2nd place in the under 20 boys category
K G Nath, deputy chairman, NMPT, congratulating all the groms for their effort and commitment.
Surfing Swami a.k.a Swami Narasingha departed from this world on Jan 2nd, 2020 amidst his dear disciples, followers, and well-wishers at his spiritual dwelling near Mysore.
Surfing Swami established India’s first surf club – Mantra Surf Club in 2004. Swami was one of the early members of North Florida’s first surf club, Oceanside in 1963 and was among the pioneers of surfing on the East Coast of the United States. Forty years later He pioneered many aspects of surfing movement in India along with his students with the aim of making surfing a recognised sport in the country.
Those who knew Swami, know him as a person who was always enthusiastic about surfing, ocean and holistic living. His energy in water was infectious and He always carried the spirit of Aloha. He deeply cared about the ocean and well-being of surf communities. In 2014 Surfing Swami singlehandedly began the work of the Surfing Swami Foundation[SSF], funding all its activities personally.
Surfing Swami has immensely contributed towards the growth of surfing in India by establishing the surf club/school model [Mantra Surf Club] back in the early 2000’s, he was also instrumental in establishing of Surfing Federation of India, the National Governing Body of Surfing in India and created other ventures such as Surf Adventure Enterprises, Thundermonkey Surf Gear Pvt Ltd, India Surf Tours Co. which setup the template for surf industry in India. Surfing Swami and his work has been widely recognised in over 300 news publications and magazines around the world from The Washington Post, BBC, Surfer Magazine, India Today, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Sports Illustrated, Der Spiegel, The Inertia, Redbull Media, Economic Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph UK and many more.
We are deeply saddened by His untimely demise, it will take us a long time to come to terms with it. He has left a great void in our lives which will probably never be replaced. His legacy will be honoured and continued by all his followers and well-wishers at Mantra Surf Club & Surfing Swami Foundation in the near future.
We would also like to thank each and everyone who’s been part of His journey and ours.
Recently, 25 students from Shri Ram Global School from Bangalore (OMR Branch) visited us. The students learned surfing, kayaking, stand up Paddling and a lot more fun activities. We would like to thank the administration for taking such initiative and introducing young kids to sports and activities like these. It’s always good to start sports like surfing at a very young age. In a country like India where water sports are still a growing sport, it was nice to see these kids embrace the ocean and surfing.
This is the second time the school has brought the students over to Mantra Surf Club. We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to other schools and organizations to take a similar step. Surfing is an amazing activity and helps kids in more ways than just physical fitness. It helps kids to have patience, focus, build team spirit and a lot more.
Beat Plastic Pollution while Surfing!
The students also helped us with cleaning the beach. We told them about the adverse effects of plastic on the environment and how we can contribute towards cleaner oceans. They picked up the trash and segregated them into plastic, glass and rubber waste. This was later sent to the recycling plant.
The beach clean up programs are regularly organized by Surfing Swami Foundation and supported by Mantra Surf Club. We aim to encourage more schools and organizations to participate in such activities. The kids will learn about waste management in the early years and this helps to create a cleaner environment going forward.
Surfing India – Surf, Kayak, and Keep the beaches clean!
We would like to once again that Shri Ram Global School for taking the initiative to make this happen. We hope to see more schools and organizations come forward to do this. Here are some pictures and a small video compilation of the students and teachers surfing, having fun and helping with the beach cleaning.
The Surfing Swami Foundation had handpicked the potential surfer kids during the “Mantra Grom Search” for further training. They were trained and closely monitored by Mantra Surf Club in Mulki, The aim of this training was to help them progress under the supervision of surfing coaches for competitions. Coaches helped these kids set their goals and help them understand the Judging criteria.
Finally, the time has come and the boys were thrilled when they got the news that they will be participating in the annual National Surfing Competition. This was their dream come true for them. All the time they had put in for training, traveling up and down to Mulki, and balancing their education, family, and poverty was not easy.
Covelong Point Surfing Competition
Covelong point festival was a great learning experience for all of our boys. It didn’t matter if they won or lost. Our aim was to give them exposure to competing in the big leagues. Surfing against some of the best surfers in the country. This was the opportunity that they had been waiting for. They kept the Surf spirit high and would always wake up early for the sunrise practice session. They would Read the waves and current, Discuss new maneuvers, fine-tune the turns & everyone was always keen on observing and learning new tricks & skills.
The stand out performance was from little guy Subramani, who made it to the semi-finals of the U16 category. Subramani recalls “This is one of my best days so far. The local competitors did not make it easy. I learned a lot from this competition. I will train harder for next year and will finish on the podium” says Subramani with a little cheeky smile.
Overall, They gave a tough competition to all the participants and really put their skills to test at Kovalam. It was a sight to watch all the boys cheer each other on. They proved to us that no matter what the results are, they will give their best in the process to get there. In the end, it’s all about putting your feet back on the ground and starting again.
The boys also tried their hand at weight lifting and CrossFit sessions at CultFit, at the festival & won goodies & t-shirts from Cult-fit & GoPro.
Supporters
This wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support from all quarters.
On behalf of Surfing Swami Foundation, We want to take this opportunity to thank Mantra Surf Club, for their help in coaching these kids for free, and each and everyone who have supported through their financial contribution. Gaurav Hedge, Shaili Seth, Deekshit Rai, and Henry Britto.
(Inaugurated the competition with a small puja to Surfing Swami and the ocean)
(Kishore Kumar dominating both Men’s Open and Under 16 categories)
(Kamali Moorthy dominating Women’s Open and Women’s under 16 categories)
(A heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors and supporters)
(The future of surfing looks great!)
(The team that made it all happen!)
