Indian Open of Surfing announces Suniel Shetty as the Event Ambassador
• The surfing extravaganza begins tomorrow from 7:30 am at Sasihithlu Beach, Mangalore
Mangaluru: Bollywood action superstar and local boy Suniel Shetty was announced as the event ambassador for the second edition of the Indian Open of Surfing today. The three day surfing extravaganza, that would witness over 120 surfers of national and international origin vie for top honours, beings tomorrow from 7:30 am onwards at the Sasihithlu beach, Mangalore.
“Surfing is a thrilling sport which has now caught the eyes of the Indians. The sport has given a lot of opportunity to the locals around the coastal belt of India generating employment and revenue sources. It’s a great initiative by the Karnataka Government and Mantra surf Club in promoting our beaches and various adventure sports possible here. In its second edition, I can already see a considerable spike in interest amongst the locals as well as a lot of water sport lovers. It fills me with pride and honour to support the sport which I can proudly say has originated in India from my home town,” remarks Sunil Shetty about his association with the event.
The competition, which expects to see over 120 national and international participants, is a part of the ‘Karnataka Surfing Festival’. The championship is recognized by the International Surfing Association and Surfing Federation of India and is organized by Dakshina Kannada district administration in association with Karnataka Tourism, Kanara Surfing and Water Sports Promotion Council in partnership with the country’s oldest surf club, Mantra Surf Club.
“We are excited to have Sunil Shetty as the event ambassador. What adds on to the happiness is that he is also a local boy. Surfing as a sport needs this push and support for it to grow. The Event would not have been possible without the support of the Karnataka Tourism who, have made it a part of their annual Karnataka Beach Festival. I would also like thank Trip 360 by Cox & Kings, TT Group of Companies and Union Bank of India for lending their support to the event,” says Kishore Kumar, President, Surfing Federation of India.
The second edition of the ‘Indian Open of Surfing’ is open to public and is an effort by Karnataka Tourism to promote the state as an international surfing & water sports destination. Celebrities will be invited for the closing ceremony. The Government of Karnataka will be promoting the event nationwide with the intention of showcasing Mangalore as the premiere surfing destination in the country. The event will also include some very interesting cultural and musical performances from local as well as national bands. A food festival along with activities like beach volleyball, Slack lining, and skateboarding and mixed martial arts demo would be the added attractions for both the surfers as well as visitors at the Sasihithlu beach.
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