Head to Mamallapuram to catch surfers in action at the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025

Have you ever watched in awe as surfers, graceful and agile, take on the waves at the Coromandel coast? Chennai’s many surf schools at any given point of time, have a clutch of newbies trying to master the basics of this surface water sport alongside skilled athletes who have won laurels over the last decade. 

As fascination for this sport continues to grow, the sandy shores of Mamallapuram that has nurtured this surfing revolution is all set to host the ASF(Asian Surfing Federation) Asian Surfing Championships 2025 from August 3 to 12. Supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Department of Youth Welfare & Sports Development, and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), over 150 surfers from 20 Asian countries will converge in Mamallapuram. 

Mamallapuram has consistent waves, and is preferred spot for surfers
| Photo Credit:
Vaibhav Gupta

“This is the first time that India will host the Asian Surfing Championships and it is a historic event for us. This is the final qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games. The last two championships were held in Maldives and this year, we were up against Japan to host the event,” says Arun Vasu, President, Surfing Federation of India. 

Mahabalipuram, he says, proved to be the ideal destination for the event given how consistent the waves are, as well as how accessible the place is for travel, accommodation and other logistics for athletes from across the world. “For the last decade or so, we have been promoting Tamil Nadu as a surfing destination. This is going to be a fantastic opportunity for the surfing community here, to see world-class athletes in action,” Arun adds. 

Team India, which was put together after a rigorous selection process has eight athletes from Tamil Nadu of the 12 team members. Surfers from the twenty participating teams will compete in the Open Men, Open Women, Under 18 Boys and Under 18 Girls categories. 

For now, all hopes are pinned on good weather persisting throughout the competitions. “Anyone can come in and watch; they can go down to the beach right in front of the Shore temple,” Arun says. 

The ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 will take place from August 3 to 12 in Mamallapuram. For further details and the schedule, log onto surfingfederationofindia.org