Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, May 25: A three-day Indian Open of Surfing (national surfing championship 2022) will begin from May 27 to 29 at Panambur beach, informed deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra.

The event is organized by the state tourism department, Surfing Federation of India and Mantra surfing. The tourism department has funded Rs 15 lac for the event. More than 75 top surfers of India are expected to take part, while 70 surfers have confirmed their participation.

Surfing and stand up paddling across different categories which are male open, female open and male and female (U16). The preparation work has commenced to beautify the beach prior to the event.

“Surfing has become one of the most popular water activities in the district since the 2017 surfing event. We have more than 40 km of coast which is suitable for surfing. In order to develop the amenities, we are mulling for a prefabricated surfing jungle lodge at Sasihithlu without violating the CRZ norms and also planning for a surf school and to promote eco-tourism,” he said.

On purchasing sand for the public, he said, “We have sand for more than 3 months from Shamboor and Marvoor desiltation. Sand is available at Rs 7,000 for 10 units plus GST and transportation. People need to book online through Maralu Mithra app and utilize the legal sand available. Never prefer illegal sand so that we can curtail the movement of illegal sand. As of now, we have more than 200 metric tonnes of sand available.”