MANGALORE, May 29, 2025 — Taneerbavi Beach in Mangalore is set to become the hub of India’s surfing scene as the Indian Open of Surfing (IOS) returns for its sixth edition from May 30 to June 1. This national-level competition, part of the Surfing Federation of India’s (SFI) National Surfing Championship series, is organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and hosted by the Mantra Surf Club.
The event arrives at a time when Indian surfing is gaining international attention, following the country’s historic qualification for two spots at the 2026 Asian Games. For the nation’s top surfers, the IOS offers more than just medals—it presents a critical opportunity to earn ranking points toward the Asian Surfing Championship later this year, which serves as the qualification pathway to the continental games.
“This edition is expected to be more competitive than ever,” said Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India.
“With Asian Games qualification now within reach, the pressure is higher and the surfers are more determined.”
Competitors will face off across four main categories: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and U-16 Groms (Boys and Girls). The lineup features some of the country’s most promising talent, including Kishore Kumar, Kamali P, Harish Muthu, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani—all of whom played key roles in India’s fifth-place finish in the Asian rankings last year.
In the lead-up to the main competition, a special Grom Search event will be held at Panambur Beach. This initiative, led by the Surfing Swami Foundation in collaboration with local surf schools, aims to discover and mentor young surfers from coastal communities across Karnataka. Through early-stage coaching, the program hopes to build a strong pipeline of future athletes.
With growing support from both government and corporate sponsors, and a rising profile in international waters, surfing in India is gaining serious traction. The sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing is expected to be a powerful showcase of that momentum.