MANGALURU (Karnataka), May 23 (ANI): The Surfing Federation of India (SFI) has officially announced the return of the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) for its sixth edition. Scheduled from May 30 to June 1, 2025, the national-level event will take place at the picturesque Sasihithlu Beach in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
The IOS is the second stop in the National Surfing Championship series and is recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA). It will be hosted by the Mantra Surf Club and organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation, both key stakeholders in the growth of Indian surfing.
This three-day event will feature the country’s top surfers competing in four categories: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Groms (Under-16) Boys, and Groms (Under-16) Girls.
Following the International Surfing Festival held in Varkala, Kerala, in April 2025, the IOS serves as a critical part of the national championship circuit. Each event in the series carries vital ranking points that will determine the final standings at the end of the season.
India’s growing presence in the sport was highlighted last year when it earned its first-ever surfing quotas for a multi-sport event. Two Indian surfers secured spots for the 2026 Asian Games during the Asian Surf Championship held in the Maldives—a major achievement for the country.
This year’s IOS is especially important, as strong performances can help athletes improve their rankings and bolster their chances of qualifying for the Asian Surf Championship later this year, which serves as the qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games.
“We are pleased to announce the sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing, a flagship event on India’s west coast,” said Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India. “In 2024, Indian surfers made history by qualifying for the Asian Games, raising the sport’s profile nationwide. With our sights set on Aichi-Nagoya 2026, this year’s competition is expected to be the most competitive yet.”
Surfers to watch at the upcoming IOS include Kishore Kumar, Harish Muthu, Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani. All have performed strongly at the Asian Surfing Championship and the Maruhaba Cup in 2024 and have secured multiple national titles in recent years. India finished fifth in Asia last year, underscoring its rising status in the surfing world.
Rammohan Paranjape, Vice President of SFI and Director of Mantra Surf Club, added, “This sixth edition is a testament to our continued commitment. Mantra Surf Club has hosted the IOS since its beginning, and we’ve had invaluable support from the Karnataka government and corporate partners. We hope this year’s event will be even more successful, especially after last year’s breakthrough for Indian surfers on the Asian stage.”
Ahead of the main event, the Surfing Swami Foundation, along with Panambur Surfing School, Mantra Surf Club, and Indica Surf School, will organize a Grom Search competition at Panambur Beach in Mangaluru.
This talent hunt is designed to identify and nurture young surfers from Karnataka’s coastal areas. The initiative focuses on youth development and aims to provide promising young athletes with structured coaching, mentorship, and long-term career development.
Selected groms will receive professional training under experienced coaches at affiliated surf schools. The program not only aims to develop sporting talent but also offers pathways to alternate livelihoods and a brighter future.