Indian Open of Surfing 2026 in Mangaluru to see participation from over 80 surfers across six states

May 28, 2026

Mangaluru: Indian surfing is set for a major milestone with the seventh edition of the Indian Open of Surfing 2026, scheduled to be held at Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangaluru from May 29 to 31, officials said.

The event, a key fixture on the national surfing calendar, will feature over 80 surfers from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Goa, competing across multiple categories including Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Under-18 Boys and Girls, and Under-14 divisions.

Key qualifier ahead of Asian Games selection

With surfing set to debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games later this year, the championship is seen as a crucial platform for the selection and assessment of athletes for the national squad.

Organized by the Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Swami Foundation under the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), the tournament has emerged as one of the most important events in the country’s surfing circuit, with continued support from the Karnataka government.

Top surfers and rising competition expected

The competition will also serve as a key evaluation event ahead of Asian Games selection, with national selectors closely monitoring performances during the three-day championship.

Top surfers including Ramesh Budihal, Shivaraj Babu, Kishore Kumar, Srikanth D, Kamali P and Sugar Shanti Banarse are expected to be among the key contenders in the event.

Growing popularity of surfing in India

The Indian Open of Surfing also marks the second stop in the National Championship Series, further adding to its importance in the domestic rankings.

Beyond competition, the event highlights the growing popularity of surfing in India and has helped establish Mangaluru’s Tannirbhavi beach as an emerging hub for water sports and coastal tourism.