Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, May 31: The national-level surfing festival which was earlier scheduled to be held on May 29 and 30 had to be postponed to October due to gram panchayat elections. Nevertheless, Panambur beach here was filled with enthusiastic surfers who had come to take part in training and exhibition of surfing talents by international trainers on Saturday May 30.

Speaking on the occasion, Yathish Baikampady, CEO of Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project said, "Surf Life Saving will be initiated in Mangaluru. If it moves forward on the lines of Surf Line Saving of Australia, then India has the chance of participating in the 2016 World Surfing Championship.

"Surf Life Saving will also help lifeguard activities in the region. The Surf Life will function under the guidance of Life Saving India and Surfing Federation of India (SFI)," Yathish revealed during interaction with reporters.

Jamo Borthwick, a renowned trainer from International Surfing Association said, "Surf Life in Mangaluru will push up surfing activities here as s a sport. At the same time life saving and allied services will also get a boost.

"Lifeguards are very necessary on beaches. They are trained. They know the tides better, they are aware of the depth of the sea. Surf Life Saving India will play a crucial role in this matter in the near future," he added.

SFI vice-president Ram Mohan Parampaje said, "We have plans to hold training camps all over the coastal belt. It is sad to note that the competition has been postponed, but as it will be held very soon the participants are still enthusiastic."