Waves of Change: Indian Open of Surfing Makes a Splash

The seventh edition of the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing commenced with much enthusiasm at the Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangaluru on Friday. This premier event features surfers from across India competing under ideal conditions, marking an important stop in the National Championship Series and a crucial event in India's Asian Games selection cycle, as per the Surfing Federation of India (SFI).

In the Women's Open category, competitors including Kamali Moorthy and Sugar Shanthi Banarse advanced to the semi-finals. The event was formally inaugurated with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, attended by prominent figures such as Abhayachandra Jain, former Karnataka Minister for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports, among other dignitaries.

The opening day featured intense competition in the Men's Open, Women's Open, Under-18 Boys, and Under-14 Boys categories. In the Men's Open, 45 surfers contended in 12 heats for a place in Round 2. Notable performances included Kishore Kumar (12.90) and Ramesh Budihal (12.57), while the Women's Open quarter-finals saw Kamali Moorthy impress with a score of 13.83.

(With inputs from agencies.)