Surfing gets big push from ranking system

Mangaluru: After a gap of two years following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) has released its events calendar for the year. Four events — two each on the West and East Coasts — have been planned this year and the first will be held at Panambur beach from May 27-29. With surfing included in the Olympics, SFI is focusing on developing it and has introduced a ranking system.
SFI president Arun Vasu told TOI, “We have held two Stand Up Paddling events at Alampara and Rameswaram. The initial years were about promoting surfing, but now we’re focusing on competition, so that we can send athletes for world events. The focus will be on athletes who are 15 years old or younger,” he said. SFI vice-president Rammohan Paranjpe said surfing is no longer a casual sport and only the top 60 surfers from India will now get an opportunity to participate in events.