Dakshina Kannada MP flags off International Stand-Up Paddling event at Sasihithlu beach

Mangaluru: The second edition of Indian Paddle Festival, India’s international Stand-Up Paddling event was inaugurated at Sasihithlu beach on Friday.

Speaking after launching the festival, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta stressed the need for public and community participation for the promotion of tourism in the coastal belt.

“Government participation is essential in policy making and granting permission for the projects. However, it is the public participation which enables tourism to flourish in the region.”

He said community effort is essential for realising the potential of the region. "Sasihithlu beach is known for its scenic beauty with lush greenery on one side and pristine sea on the other and is gateway to Dakshina Kannada via sea. We should take pride in the beauty of our temples and showcase our strengths. All the beaches are not conducive for surfing and paddling. We need to showcase Sasihithlu beach is one of a few beaches in West Coast wherein paddling activities can be taken up,” the MP added.

He promised that next year’s Stand-Up Paddling event will be more grand and larger scale. Atleast one of the PSU will take it as its flagship event next year, he said.

Dakshina Kannada is an “ocean of possibilities” and tourism promotion is one of the major possibilities in the district. “Let us showcase our culture, beaches, heritage through tourism promotion,” he added.

Former minister Abhayanchandra Jain said Surfing Swami established India's first surf club and introduced surfing to the locals. Both centre and state governments should support surfing. Already, sea erosion has affected half an acre of Sasihithlu beach. There is a need for a breakwater to further check sea erosion.

The festival is organised by Surfing Swami Foundation and Mantra Surf Club, in partnership with WrkWrk and Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and Karnataka Tourism.

Juniors technical distance race and practice sessions by international athletes were held on the day one of the festival.