Indian Open of Surfing 2025: Kamali Moorthy leads strong Day 1 at Mangaluru
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's Kamali Moorthy posted the day's highest score of 13.83 to lead six women into the semi-finals on Day 1 of the seventh Indian Open of Surfing at Mangaluru. With the event doubling as an Asian Games selection platform, every heat carries national-team stakes — making this far more than a regional surf contest.
Key Takeaways
The seventh Indian Open of Surfing began on 29 May 2025 at Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach, Mangaluru .
Kamali Moorthy (Tamil Nadu) recorded the highest score of the day — 13.83 — in the Women's Open quarter-finals.
Six women — Moorthy, Sugar Shanthi Banarse, Ishita Malaviya, Devi Ramanathan, Saanvi Hegde, and Shrishti Selvam — advanced to the semi-finals.
Kishore Kumar (12.90) led 45 Men's Open surfers across 12 heats ; Round 2 is scheduled for Saturday.
The newly introduced Under-14 Boys category completed its quarter-finals on Day 1.
The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) is title sponsor for a third consecutive year ; the event feeds directly into India's Asian Games selection cycle.
Tamil Nadu's Kamali Moorthy posted the highest score of the opening day — a commanding 13.83 — as the seventh edition of the Indian Open of Surfing got underway at Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangaluru, Karnataka, on Friday, 29 May 2025. India's premier surfing championship, a key stop in the National Championship Series and a critical event in the country's Asian Games selection cycle, opened to clean waves and favourable weather conditions.
Women's Open: Moorthy Sets the Pace
The Women's Open quarter-finals produced the day's most compelling surfing. Kamali Moorthy (13.83) and Goa's Sugar Shanthi Banarse (11.00) led the field with assured performances in challenging surf. Joining them in the semi-finals — scheduled for the championship's final day — are Ishita Malaviya (6.40), Devi Ramanathan (5.90), Saanvi Hegde (5.37), and Shrishti Selvam (5.33).
Men's Open: 45 Surfers Battle Through 12 Heats
The day opened with the Men's Open category, where 45 surfers competed across 12 heats for Round 2 qualification. The top two from each heat advanced, with Kishore Kumar (12.90) topping the standings, followed by Ramesh Budihal (12.57), Tayin Arun (12.10), Sanjaikumar S (11.84), Ajeesh Ali (11.74), Akilan S (11.66), Sivaraj Babu (11.33), Sanjay Selvamani (11.33), Harish M (10.27), Srikanth D (9.33), Ruban V (7.93), and Som Sethi (7.30). Round 2 is scheduled for Saturday.
Junior Categories See Intense Competition
In the Surfing Juniors Under-18 Boys category, 19 surfers competed across six heats. Harish P. (12.67) led qualifiers, followed by Tayin Arun (10.33), Som Sethi (9.93), Pradeep Pujar (9.07), Prahlad Sriram (8.60), Sheik Davudh S (6.93), Yogesh A (6.33), Raju Suresh Pujar (5.63), Praveen Pujar (4.40), Harus Mohaiyadeen (3.63), Sanku Karthek (3.07), and Akash Pujar (2.57).
The newly introduced Under-14 Boys category completed its quarter-finals on Day 1. Harish P. (11.33), Sheik Davudh S (6.67), Yogesh A. (6.50), Prahlad Sriram (5.43), Prashanth (4.53), Mukhesh (3.70), Likhith Salian (2.67), and Ishant K. Sateesh (2.07) advance to the semi-finals on Saturday.
What Organisers Said
Shamanth Kumar, Secretary of the Karnataka Surfing Association, said the response from surfers and the local community had been 'extremely positive' and noted that the championship 'plays a very important role in the national ranking system and India's preparations for future international events, including the Asian Games.' Saurabh Verma, Manager of Athlete Relations at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), described the growth of surfing in India over recent years as 'remarkable', adding that platforms like this championship help athletes gain 'valuable competitive exposure.'
Organisers and Sponsors
The championship is organised by the Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Swami Foundation under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), with support from the Government of Karnataka and the Karnataka Surfing Association. The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) returns as title sponsor for a third consecutive year, with Cycle Pure Agarbatti and Deconstruct Skincare continuing as Gold Sponsors — underscoring growing institutional and corporate backing for the sport. With semi-finals and finals set for the coming days, the competition will determine which surfers cement their place in India's national rankings and Asian Games selection pipeline.
Point of View
With Asian Games berths in the balance. That raises the stakes well beyond a beach event. The inclusion of an Under-14 Boys category this year is a meaningful pipeline signal, but the absence of a Women's Junior category remains a gap the Surfing Federation of India has yet to address publicly. Corporate sponsorship continuity from NMPA, Cycle Pure Agarbatti, and Deconstruct Skincare suggests the event's commercial model is stabilising — a prerequisite for any sport seeking Olympic pathway recognition.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian Open of Surfing 2025?
The Indian Open of Surfing 2025 is the seventh edition of India's premier national surfing championship, held at Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Mangaluru, Karnataka. It is a key stop in the National Championship Series and a critical event in India's Asian Games athlete selection cycle.
Who topped the scores on Day 1 of the Indian Open of Surfing?
Tamil Nadu's Kamali Moorthy posted the highest score of Day 1 — 13.83 — in the Women's Open quarter-finals, making her the standout performer across all categories. Goa's Sugar Shanthi Banarse was second among women with 11.00.
Which surfers advanced to the Women's Open semi-finals?
Six surfers advanced: Kamali Moorthy (13.83), Sugar Shanthi Banarse (11.00), Ishita Malaviya (6.40), Devi Ramanathan (5.90), Saanvi Hegde (5.37), and Shrishti Selvam (5.33). The semi-finals are scheduled for the final day of the championship.
Why does the Indian Open of Surfing matter for Indian athletes?
The championship is part of the National Championship Series and feeds directly into India's Asian Games selection process. Competitive results here influence national rankings and can determine which surfers represent India at major international events.
Who is organising the Indian Open of Surfing 2025?
The event is organised by the Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Swami Foundation under the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), with support from the Government of Karnataka and the Karnataka Surfing Association. The New Mangalore Port Authority is the title sponsor for the third consecutive year.
