From ‘Kadle Boys’ to ‘Surfing’ Boys’! 5 Amazing Kids now ‘Walking On Water’

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
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From ‘Kadle Boys’ to ‘Surfing’ Boys’! 5 Amazing Kids now ‘Walking On Water’

From ‘Kadle (Peanuts/Groundnuts) Boys’ to ‘Surfing’ Boys’! Five Amazing Kids now ‘Walking On Water’, participating in the ‘ India Open of Surfing-2017’ at Sasihithlu Beach.

Mangaluru: This story seems like “The Famous Five ” series of children’s adventure novels written by English author Enid Blyton. The first book, ‘Five on a Treasure Island’, was published in 1942. The novels feature the adventures of a group of young children – Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina (George) – and their dog Timmy. But here we have five children born to the poorest families – the daily wage workers, who don’t have all the luxurious life- like owning a smartphone, Nintendo or computer games, bicycle , Television, or any other modern gadgets- instead they lead a ‘human life’ just like the rich kids in the City- And they are happy to be born and live that way.

These five amazing boys namely Manjunath (Manju) Nayak (14), Subramani (13), M Selva (14), Manju Bailappa (13) and M Praveen (13) -one missing in the photo, who are the students of Government High School-Panambur, and hailing from nearby Koorikatta, once used to sell Kadle (groundnuts/peanuts) to the beach-goers at Panambur Beach. But now all these five are participating in the India Open of Surfing 2017 competition going on at Sasihithlu Beach- and they are all the students of Jamo Borthwick, who runs the ‘Walking On Water (WOW)’ Surf School at Panambur Beach location.

Here’s the story as to how these five children got into the sport of surfing- according to Yathish Biakampady- the CEO of Panambur Tourism Development Project who said, ” these children used to sell peanuts on the beach to earn little extra money for their parents, since they all come from families who are daily wage laborers. When Jamo had started his Surfing training classes here on the beach, these children used to watch and admire other children learning surfing. I knew that these children too had talents and were eager to learn surfing. When I approached them if they too wanted to learn the surfing sport, they were full of enthusiasm and eagerness, that they jumped in joy when I told them that I will get them started in learning surfing”.

“In just five months these kids have learned all the techniques pertaining to Surfing under Jamo Bortwick at his ‘Walking On Water Surf School, and they are trying all their best to win in this surfing competition at Sasihithlu. In the beginning, the parents of these children were reluctant to send them, since it was a water sport, and getting into sea waves is kind of risky. There was also an objection from the school authorities for allowing these children to step into deep water sport. But with much of convincing the parents and teachers of these children, the got the ‘Yes’ signal- and now both the parents and teachers are happy that their children are enjoying the sport and also trying to reach greater heights in surfing”.

Also speaking to Team Mangalorean, Jamo Borthwick said, “Since I had launched a charity project named as “Wow Jokul” which means “Wow Children” (Jokul means children in Tulu language), which aims at empowering children of poor parents. By imparting new skills like rescue techniques, I do not want these children to do what their fathers did. Selva, aged 14, whose mother works as a sweeper, dreams of becoming a surfer of International standard. I also ensure that these talented surfers compete in local and national surfing competitions and win. I am happy to say that 12 of our members are taking part in this second edition of Surfing here at Sasihithlu, and I am confident that some will surely win.”

“Through Wow Jokul program, I train these kids from 6 am- 8 am during school days, and on holidays, their training extends till 9 am. Since these children come from poor families, and can’t afford to buy surfboards, arrangements of funds to but the equipment are made through CSR funds. If I see real good talents and success of these children at the Indian Open of Surfing 2017, the Wow Jokul team may take part in surfing events in Chennai to be held in August and October. Panambur Beach is indeed a nice beach and has the potential to develop surfing events. At my surfing club called Walkin on Water (Wow Jokul) at Panambur, I train surfers in life-saving techniques and other guidelines required by the rescue surfers. There are intensive training on knowledge of sea/ocean, swirls, waves etc required for surf life-saving. I feel very proud of these children, who were once selling peanuts, will soon be master surfers” added Jamo.

In the meantime, the five children have extended their sincere thanks to Yatish Baikampady and Jamo Borthwick saying that, “Once we were all selling groundnuts, while other children used to walk around with surfboards in their hands on the beach. Seeing these children who were of our age learning under Jamo Sir, we too showed our interest in that sport, and Yatish Sir who noticed us made us join the surf club, and look what we are today”.

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