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All Cargo Indian Open of Surfing from May 27 to 29

Last Updated 13 May 2016, 18:26 IST

The Department of Tourism, Dakshina Kannada district administration, Surfing Federation of India, Mantra Surf Club, in association with Kanara Surfing and Water Sports Promotion Council, will host an ‘All Cargo Indian Open of Surfing’ at Sasihithlu Beach in Mangaluru from May 27 to 29.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said Sasihithlu has a shallow beach where one can go up to 100 metre for surfing. Preparations are in full swing for the first surfing festival, he added.

President of Surfing Federation of India Kishore Kumar said the three-day national surfing festival and stand-up paddling championships will attract surfers from all over India to Mangaluru. The idea behind the event is to promote and showcase pristine and virgin beaches of Karnataka as a popular surfing and adventure destination and also to create a sustainable revenue generating model for local communities, tourism department and other stakeholders, he stated.

He said former cricketer Jonty Rhodes, actor Suniel Shetty, cricketer Sanju Samson and Paddy Upton are likely to take part in the programme. About 50 surfers have already registered online and the number is expected to reach over 100 before May 24, he added.

Top surfers from around India are excited and have been looking forward to compete in Karnataka for the first time, he said.

The deputy commissioner said the forecast for the event looks promising with five to eight foot waves hitting the coast, which will be a challenge for the surfers. Top seeded girls from India Aneesha Nayak and Sinchana Gowda from Mangaluru will be the favourites in the women’s category. Deekshith Suvarna and Kiran Kumar from Mulki, top seeded surfers from Karnataka, will also take part, he stated.

The competitions will be held in the following categories: grooms (under 16), junior boys (17 to 22 years), senior men (22 to 28 years), masters men (28 and above) and open women category. A competition for open men’s category for international surfers will also be held. International surfers from Sri Lanka, Maldives and Dubai will be taking part in the event.

Ibrahim said the event will be officiated by Steve Robertson, General Manager for World Surf League and Tim Hain, General Manager Asian Surfing Championships. The panel of international judges will be headed by Made Sachang from Bali, Indonesia. There is a total cash prize of Rs 6 lakh for all the winning participants from across all categories, he added.

The estimated cost for hosting the surfing championship is Rs 33.88 lakh, he said. The Department of Tourism has released Rs 24 lakh. A new road leading to the venue is being laid and beach clean up and other facilities are being taken care by the district administration, he added. Live music and food festival will be highlights at the competition. 

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(Published 13 May 2016, 18:26 IST)

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