Indian Surfers Gear Up for Historic Debut at the 2026 Asian Games

Kovalam and Mumbai, India – Sugar Shanti Banarse and Kamali Moorthy's journey from novice competitors to representatives of India at the Asian Games is a testament to the evolution of surfing in the country. When they participated in their first event at the Covelong Classic in 2022, they had no idea that they would soon be competing on a continental stage. The competition featured only seven women among about 50 participants, and for Moorthy, at just 12 years old, it was a thrilling experience despite not catching a single wave. Banarse, then 16, finished second, igniting her passion for the sport and a desire to turn professional.

Now, Banarse, Moorthy, and their male counterparts, Kishore Kumar and Sivaraj Babu, are gearing up to face top talent at the Asian Games, where surfing will make its debut from September 29 to October 3. "We’ve been putting in the work over the last couple of years and made good progress. It’s our time to shine now," Banarse stated.

Despite India's extensive coastline, surfing has been slow to gain traction. Team coach Samai Reboul, part of the first generation of Indian surfers, recalls the challenges of learning the sport with limited resources and no coaches. His passion was sparked in the late 1990s while watching tourists surf near his home in Auroville, Tamil Nadu.

As surfing schools began to emerge, Banarse found her footing in Goa, while Moorthy benefited from her uncle's guidance as a surf instructor. Kumar and Babu, hailing from fishing families, began their surfing journey by body surfing before transitioning to boards, often facing resistance from their families who viewed the sport as a distraction from their traditional roles.

The establishment of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) in 2011 marked a pivotal moment, but it wasn't until Arun Vasu took over as president in 2020 that significant changes began to unfold. Vasu's leadership secured funding through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, allowing the SFI to support athletes and enhance domestic competitions. This recognition by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in March 2025 brought stability and resources to the federation, enabling members to focus on the growth of surfing in India.

Team Training and Youth Development Initiatives

Under Reboul's guidance, the team has undergone rigorous training, including mental conditioning and physical preparation. The introduction of video analysis has further refined their techniques, leading to promising results in recent competitions. Ramesh Budihal secured a bronze at the Asian Surfing Championships in August 2025, while Kumar earned silver at the Asian ProAm Surf Series.

In addition to preparing for the Asian Games, the SFI is committed to nurturing the next generation of surfers through youth training camps and competitions. This initiative has attracted young surfers from cities like Chennai and Bengaluru, as well as increasing female participation, a crucial step for the sport's growth.

Equipment Innovations

Nevertheless, challenges remain. The monsoon season necessitates constant travel for training, and a deeper pool of skilled coaches is essential for developing young talent. "Good training and a competitive surf culture is what is required to put India on the map, rather than get a particular athlete to win," Reboul remarked.

As Indian surfers prepare for their debut at the Asian Games, they face fierce competition from established nations like Indonesia and Japan. However, the experience gained from competing at this level is invaluable, especially with the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 on the horizon. Kumar expressed his aspirations, stating, "The dream is to represent India at the Olympics."