Surfing is the world's coolest sport. And here's a well-kept secret: India's coastline offers some great spots to ride the waves!
One moment you see the swell rising in the horizon. The next minute a gigantic white whirl rolls closer towards you. You spin the board towards the shore and take hard, almost desperate strokes, fighting for position at the crest of the wave that's now looming overhead. Then, in one swift motion, you pop to your feet, the surfboard begins sliding down the face of the wave, and you're... flying, to a different kind of high!
That's how it starts-this sport called surfing. Some call it an addiction-one timeless moment of balance and thrill, all so very improbable! No surfer ever forgets his first wave. Out there somewhere, there's one for you, too.
With beginner-friendly boards, riding the waves has become easier. But don't be too self-assured. After a day in the surf, your arms will feel like pasta and you'll have water leaking out of your nose and sand will be scouring every orifice. At the same time, you'll also have a big grin plastered on your face and maybe even a bikini-clad girl or two clutching your biceps.
Where to learn
Learning to surf on your own isn't just daunting; it can be risky as well. Proper technique, right from the moment you stand on your surfboard, is absolutely a must. And without a certified trainer to help you with the moves, your surfing experience can end up being a not so pleasant one, after all!
Before you jump onto the waves, you should know and be prepared with all the guidelines- how to face the surf, how to position your legs and when to stand up on your surfboard and ride high on the waves. So your safest bet would be to sign up for a surf camp and take a few lessons before you venture out on your own.
Ashram Surf Retreat is the only surf camp in India that offers surfing opportunities for beginners. The retreat, situated in the coastal village of Mulky (30km from Mangalore) in southern Karnataka, is at the mouth of the river Shambhavi and the Arabian Sea.
Where to surf
India boasts about 7,000km of coastline and a large portion of it is yet unexplored in terms of surfing spots. Shivas, situated on a small peninsula jutting out into the Arabian Sea at Murdeshwara; Ten Thousand Peaks at Maravanthe; the cliffs near Bhatkal; Kanya Kumari; Kovalam; and Rameswaram are good surfing destinations. "We are slowly popularising the sport in India through our website (www.surfingindia.net) and by surfing in public places," says Govardhan of surfingindia. "There is huge potential for this sport in India, but it has not taken off in a big way yet, as it's still not very easy to get hold of surfboards, get proper guidance and knowledge. But the scene is changing." If you want to buy surfing equipment, you can order on this website.
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