The crashing waves of Kovalam, a sight that may intimidate the uninitiated, are a playground for a handful of fearless young surfers. For 15-year-old Kamali Moorthy, the sea has always been a part of life. Growing up in a small fishing village in Mamallapuram, she discovered her passion for surfing early on. “My uncle is a surf instructor, and when I was young, I asked him to take me surfing. It started as just for fun, but by the age of six, I knew I wanted to do this professionally,” Kamali told Sportstar at the Big Air Flo 2024 surf festival.
Kamali’s dedication paid off. In August 2024, she was part of the Indian team that competed in the Asian Surfing Championships in Thulusdhoo, Maldives. The team’s performance was historic – they secured India’s first-ever quota in surfing for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This was a significant achievement for a sport still finding its footing in India.
The team’s success was not a fluke. They earned the quota through rigorous training and fierce competition. “I was nervous at first, given the conditions in the Maldives with the sea urchins and coral reefs,” Kamali shared. “But I kept telling myself, ‘It will be okay, just surf the way you know how.’ After a couple of days, I felt alright.” She also recognized the importance of learning from the competition: “Seeing the other surfers, I learned about the level of competition outside India and how they prepare for big events.”
Kamali wasn’t the only rising star. Kishore Kumar, another promising surfer, also contributed to India’s qualification for the Asian Games. At the Asian Surfing Championships, the 16-year-old became the first Indian to reach the semifinal stage in the U-18 category and the quarterfinal of the Men’s Open category.
Both Kamali and Kishore understand the importance of surfing in diverse conditions to excel on the international stage. “Apart from weekly practice sessions and fitness exercises, our coaches have taken us to places like Bali in Indonesia where we surfed in bigger waves, preparing us for international competitions,” said Kishore.
The Surfing Federation of India (SFI) has been instrumental in supporting the growth of the sport in the country. Starting as a corporate social responsibility program in 2012 for the coastal community in Kovalam, the SFI has evolved into the national governing body of surfing. They have hosted festivals to raise awareness, organized national competitions, and played a crucial role in establishing accredited surf schools across the country. Today, there are 18 accredited surf schools, from Rajodi Beach in Maharashtra to the cliffs of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram.
“In 10 years, the sport has grown significantly. Getting an Asian Games slot is a huge achievement for a young sport,” said Arun Vasu, president of the SFI. He believes that India has the potential to become a global force in surfing, drawing inspiration from Japan’s model of nurturing young talent. “I think we have the talent. The Asian Games is the first step. We need an Asian champion from India who can go on to compete in the World Surfing Games and beyond.”
However, there are challenges. One of the biggest is encouraging more women to participate. Kamali was the only female surfer on the team that went to the Asian Surfing Championships.
Irish surfer and Red Bull athlete Conor Maguire, known for his expertise in the sport, emphasized the importance of dedication and practice. “Anything in life is daunting at first. Step by step, once you drop into a wave that you are not entirely comfortable with, it is the best feeling ever. Even if you fall, you learn that you can do it the next time.” He also underlined the importance of proper nutrition and fitness for endurance.
Samai Reboul, the Indian surfing team coach, emphasized the physical preparation required for surfing. “Balancing on the board is one thing, but being smashed by waves over and over again is a whole other task. The physical preparation was very important. We focused on fitness for a full month just to ensure these kids could handle the pressure.”
Despite the challenges, Samai is optimistic about the future of surfing in India. “We have a better support system for surfing than many other countries due to the smaller size. With individual attention for each athlete, we need to push with whatever we have and hope for the best.”
With Asian Games spots secured, India’s young surfers are ready to make their mark on the world stage. The future is bright for these daring athletes as they navigate the waves and the pressures of professional surfing. The world is watching to see how Kamali, Kishore, and other rising talents will fare against the rising tides and pressures of this exciting sport.
