Pics: Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru May 26: The second edition of the three-day Indian Open of Surfing 2017 was inaugurated by district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai here at Sasihithlu beach on Friday, May 26. Indian open of Surfing is jointly organised by Department of Tourism, district administration, Canara Surfing and Water Sports Promotion, Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Federation of India.
Speaking on the occasion Ramanath Rai said, "We had conducted the first edition of Indian Open of Surfing for the first time in Dakshina Kannada district last year. Sashihitlu beach is turning into a good tourism spot. Surfing is one of the prominent sports in other countries. This event was successful in its last edition. The government has granted funds for this sport and also to develop this area into a tourism spot. Sasihithlu beach is suitable for adventure water sport like surfing. It is a great opportunity for people to come in large numbers and witness this beautiful sport."
Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Dr K G Jagadeesha said, "Dakshina Kannada district has a lot of potential, but are lacking behind in developing the region to make it a tourist attraction. It can be developed in two ways - we need to provide basic amenities to the tourists and need to attract the tourists to visit tourism places in the district. If we organise such events, people and tourists will automatically get attracted to this place. Since it is a three day event, we are expecting a lot people to visit in large numbers to witness this surfing competition. The tourism department has already given its green signal to conduct World Surfing League in the year 2018 from May 25 to 27."
MLA Abhayachandra Jain said, "The government has given its full fledged support for the second edition of Indian Open of Surfing and granted Rs 60 lac funds for the same. Last year, we had introduced surfing competition for the first time in the district. Credit must go to past DC A B Ibrahim for identifying this place which is suitable for surfing."
As many as 120 surfers are taking part in the surfing competition. Seventeen of the surfers are from different countries including Australia, France, Maldives, Madagascar and Reunion of Island.
Star Indian surfers including Tanvi Jagadish, Manikandan, Ishita Malviya and Dharini Selvakumar will be seen riding the waves for the top slot in their respective categories. The Indian surfers are expected to face stiff competition in their respective categories from their Australian, US and French counterparts in the three-day event.
The programme was scheduled to begin with state anthem (Naada Geete). Much to the surprise of guests and the audience, 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate' was sung in a different tune with lyrics clearly wrong.
Police commissioner M Chandra Sekhar, Jack Hebner, founder, Surfing Swami Foundation; MLA J R Lobo, MLA B A Mohiudeen Bhava, mayor Kavitha Sanil, Mohammed Monu, president, taluk panchayat; Dr M R Ravi, CEO, zilla panchayath, Suresh Ballal, chairman, MUDA and others were present.
Schedule for the second edition of Indian Open of Surfing:
Day 1- May 26th
• 7:30 AM – Surfing Contest Begins & continues till 12:30 PM
• 8:00 AM (Onwards)- Slack lining, Skateboarding activities will begin for the day
• 9:00 AM (Onwards) – Inauguration Ceremony Preparation
• 10:00 AM – Inauguration Ceremony – Surfing Contest will stop
• 11:30 AM – Women’s SUP Race – 1st Heat
• 12:30 PM – Lunch Break
• 1:30 PM – Women’s SUP Race – 2nd Heat
• 3:30 PM – Finish of Day 1 Surfing Contest
• 4:30 PM – Stage Program Begins
Day 2- May 27th
• 7:30 AM – Surfing Contest Begins & continues till 12:30 PM
• 7:30 AM – Beach Volleyball
• 8:00 AM (Onwards)- Slack lining, Skateboarding activities will begin for the day
• 12:30 PM – Men’s SUP Race – 1st Heat
• 1:00 PM – Lunch Break
• 3:30 PM – Finish of Day 2 Surfing Contest
• 4:30 PM – Stage Program Begins
Day 3- May 28th
• 7:30 AM – Semi-Finals & Finals of all Men’s & Women’s Surf Categories
• 8:00 AM (Onwards) Slacklining, Skateboarding activities will begin for the day
• 9:00 AM – Interaction
• 12:30 PM – Lunch Break
• 2:00 PM – Start of Men’s SUP Finals
• 3:00 PM – Finish of all Surf finals categories
• 4:00 PM – Award Ceremony
• 5:00 PM – Live Music & Stage Programs Begins