MAHABALIPURAM, INDIA — The 2025 ASF Asian Surfing Championships will take place in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, from August 3 to 12, bringing together the top surfers from across Asia for one of the sport’s most important regional events.
Organized by the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF), the championship is more than just a contest — it serves as the final qualifying event for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026.
India’s surfing community enters this year’s competition with renewed confidence. At the 2024 Championships in Thulusdhoo, Maldives, India earned a silver medal in the Maruhaba Cup team event, finishing just behind Japan. Surfer Harish Muthu also made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the quarterfinals of the men’s open division.
Mahabalipuram, the new host city, offers an ideal setting for the championship. The town is known for its historic Shore Temple and ancient maritime history, but in recent years it has become a top destination for surfers. Its reliable right-hand point breaks, shaped by natural and geographic conditions, make it a favorite among both professionals and newcomers.
The region’s consistent wind from the west-northwest and swell from the east-southeast help produce clean, surfable waves throughout the season. Combined with an active local surf culture, growing infrastructure, and support from surf schools, Mahabalipuram is ready to welcome the continent’s best.
Founded to promote surfing across Asia, the Asian Surfing Federation has helped the sport grow from a niche pursuit to a movement shared by coastal communities throughout the region. The annual Championships are now a platform for elite competition and cultural exchange.
This August, as the tides rise along the Tamil Nadu coast, athletes will compete for more than just medals. They’ll also carry the hopes of a growing surfing nation, riding a wave of momentum into the future of the sport.