The shores of Mahabalipuram are set to host the fourth edition of the ASF Asian Surfing Championship, a continental event that doubles as the final qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games.
With over 100 athletes from 19 Asian countries, it’s one of the most diverse surfing championships ever held in India. The competition, which runs from August 4 to 12, will take place across the popular surf breaks here.
The opening ceremony on Sunday was attended by J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), and Jonty Rhodes, former South African cricketer and Ambassador of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), among others.
In a symbolic gesture of unity, athletes from each country participated in a ‘sand ceremony’, pouring sand from their home beaches into a transparent tank on stage – a collective tribute to Asia’s growing surf community.
“We are thrilled to bring the Asian Surfing Championship to India, a country with a rich coastline and a fast-growing surf culture,” said Shu Miyabi, general secretary of the Asian Surfing Federation. “This event is about competition, but also about connection, exchange, and the shared spirit of the ocean.”
“India is proud to host at a time when the sport is growing rapidly in our country,” said Arun Vasu, SFI president. “Welcoming surfers from over 19 countries is a big step forward for our surf community,” he added.
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Rhodes, who has been associated with the Indian surfing scene since 2013, highlighted the sport’s growth in recent years.
“The great thing is not just the level of surfing, but the impact it has had on some of these communities where there aren’t too many options,” he said. “Now, surf schools are popping up all over the coast. India has 5,000 kilometres of coastline, and there’s a real opportunity to provide kids with more than just fishing.”
“They watch international events, and they’re growing exponentially. The surf skills here have made us, as a federation, really proud.”
As surfers take to the waves, the championship marks another step forward for the sport in India and across the continent.
