Global Surfing Fest Marks Varkala as a Prime Surfing Destination

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Marked by adventure and sportsman spirit, the three-day International Surfing Festival, organised by the Department of Tourism, concluded on Sunday, showcasing the potential of panoramic Varkala becoming as a premier surfing destination.

The overwhelming success of the event, held at the famous Varkala Edava Beach, grabbed the attention with the participation of talented surfers and water sports enthusiasts.

In all, 65 domestic and foreign contestants participated in the event, which was the first International Surfing Festival to be hosted in the country in 2024, organised in association with International Surfing Association, Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), DTPC and Surfing Federation of India.

International Surfing Association (ISA) representative Rory Symes from Australia was the Head Judge of the competitions, held from 6 am to 11.30 am every day. Competitions were held in Under-16 (Boys) and Surfing Open (Men & Women) categories.

Kerala Tourism Secretary Biju K and actor cum surfing athlete Sudev Nair gave away the prizes to the winners at the valedictory function where Kerala Tourism Additional Director (General) Vishnu Raj; and Kerala Tourism Deputy Director Rajeev G L were also present.

Kishore Kumar bagged the first prize in the Surfing Groms (Under-16) category while Tain Arun and Prahlad Sriram won the second and third prizes respectively. In the Surfing Women’s Open category, Kamali P won the first prize and Sandhya Arun got the second prize. Ishitha Malavya won the third prize.

Ramesh Mudhihal was the winner of the Surfing Men’s Open category in which Hareesh M got the second prize and Srikanth D won the third prize. KATPS CEO Binu Kuriakose and office bearers of Surfing Federation of India also attended the closing ceremony.

The event firmly marked Kerala as a premier surfing destination of the country, besides promoting Varkala’s high potential as a global water sports hub. It provided an opportunity for water sports enthusiasts to get a first-hand experience and practise surfing.