Mangaluru: The first three-day Indian open surfing championship held at Sashitulu beach in Mangaluru saw Samai Reboul from Puducherry and Sinchana from Karnataka clinch the championship in their respective categories on May 28.
Hosting this adventure sport, it has given boost to the organisers, who announced the dates for the next year too, at the same venue. Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Abhayachandra Jain said that the sport will be held during May 26 to 28 at the same venue.
“Efforts are in place to organise, the event, on an international scale next year, and if we succeed, it will be held for 5 days. The response for this event has motivated the organizers to hold the event next year and if everything falls, all necessary infrastructure will be developed and local people will be encouraged,” he said adding that the State government is of the view to hold this adventure sport event every year and a sum of Rs 1 crore will be released for High mast light, Jet ski for hands on experience of high speed riding in the sea, at Sashitulu beach to promote visitors and tourists to the beach.
Ileana D’Cruz and Vikram Rai, big screen actors graced the occasion and gave away the prizes. Most of other prizes were won by Surfers from Chennai. Prize money summing to about Rs 6 lakhs were given.
Cultural programmes were arranged on all the three days of the event, with bands playing to the tunes of the crowd on the concluding day. Visitors were seen enjoying boat rides even as surfers vied for the top position.
Surfing Swami who is the founder of Mantra surfing club, is seen as a source of inspiration and a perfect guide for the organizers of the event. Swami has also helped in roping in a few participants from abroad.
A Russian couple, who came to the venue as surprise visitors, was well prepared to extend their stay here. Though the couple had got a house tent, they were touched by the hospitality of the locals who accommodated them in their house.
According to results announced for Under 16:- it was Perceval Fayon, Sanjay Selvamani, Manikandam, placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. In local Junior (17-22):- Raghul Govind, Surya .P and Ajit Kumar were placed, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Local senior, it was Dharanikumar, Rahul Pander and Manikandan,D, placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd and in Local masters (29 and above):- Murthy Meghavan, Santhosh Murthy, Velu, placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Local women any age:- D.Sinchana Gowda, Chinmayi Mayya, in Open category :-Tanvi.J, Samai Reboul, Bazil Pinel ,placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Sup Men:-Sekar Pichai, Moorthy Meghavan, Vicky were placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd and in Sup Woman Tanvi J, Vilassini Sunder, Sinchana Gowda, were 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
