Indian Open of Surfing website launched

The Department of Tourism is keen on conducting an International Open of Surfing in the state next year and has issued directions to make preparations, Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha said.  He was speaking at the launch of ‘Indian Open of Surfing 2017’ website at Hotel Ocean Pearl here.

Dr Jagadeesha said there was a plan to host the international surfing event this year. But as there was no budget allocation, the event will be held next year. With the international surfing event, the coastal Karnataka will be widely open for tourism, he felt.

Surfer Jack Hebner, known as ‘Surfing Swamy,’ said the word surfing was coined in Mangaluru, though the surfing activities began in Hawaii. During the 16th century, captain of a Portuguese merchant ship jotted down the word ‘suffi,’ which he heard from the local fishermen. Later, the British interpreted the word as ‘surfing’ to indicate activities on the sea. India is known for good seas which are suitable for surfing, he added.

MLA J R Lobo suggested introducing the boat race of Kerala in Mangaluru coast as an attempt to attract more tourists. Tanvi Jagadish, a 16-year-old Indian surfer, who has won various international stand-up paddling races and surfing events, was felicitated.

District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai launched the website of ‘Indian Open of Surfing 2017.’ The registrations are open on http://indianopenofsurfing.com/surfers-registration. 

Event details
The event will be held in nine categories: Novice-Indians under 14, Indian grooms-under 16, Indian juniors (17 to 22), Indian seniors (22 to 30), Indian master (above 30), women of all age, open category-Indians and foreigners, stand up paddling-men and women.

Over 120 surfers from India and abroad are expected to take part in the tournament.  Government Chief Whip in Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza,  Mayor Kavitha Sanil, and Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jeevan Saldanha were present on the occasion.