The inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026 continued to deliver high-quality action on Day 2, with India’s top stand-up paddlers and surfers putting on a compelling show at Butler Bay.
In the headline events, Sekar Patchai reaffirmed his status as the country’s leading stand-up paddler by clinching the Men’s Technical SUP title, while Arthi produced a composed performance to win the Women’s race.
Patchai, a multiple-time national champion, entered the competition as the favourite and delivered accordingly. Competing in the 2km technical race, which demands a mix of endurance, balance, and tactical navigation through buoy turns, he clocked 10:05.02 to secure the gold medal. His performance stood out not just for the winning margin, but for the control he maintained across different sections of the course, particularly in negotiating turns and maintaining stroke efficiency in open water conditions.
Rajesh D finished second with a time of 10:26.34, while Dinesh Selvamani completed the podium with a timing of 10:37.33. While both paddlers delivered strong efforts, Patchai’s ability to sustain a higher race pace throughout the course created a decisive gap.
In the Women’s Technical SUP event, Arthi emerged as the standout performer, finishing first with a time of 13:53.20. Her race was marked by consistency and clean execution, particularly in the middle phase where she built a lead that proved difficult to challenge. Vijayalakshmi Irulappan followed with 14:06.01 to secure silver, while Nishi claimed bronze with a time of 20:58.96.
The SUP events highlighted the growing depth in Indian paddling, with athletes demonstrating improved race strategies and technical awareness key indicators of the sport’s development in the country.
Beyond the paddling events, Day 2 also saw the competition intensify in the Surfing Men’s Open category. The day began with the repechage round, offering a second opportunity for surfers who had missed direct qualification on Day 1. Eighteen surfers competed across six heats, with the top two from each advancing to Round 3.
The transition into Round 3 brought a noticeable increase in performance levels, with surfers adapting effectively to Butler Bay’s reef break conditions. Kishore Kumar and Logesh S advanced from Heat 1, while Harish M and Ajeesh Ali progressed from Heat 2. Sanjay Selvamani delivered one of the stronger performances of the round with a heat score of 13.50, moving ahead alongside Praveen Ratod.
Ramesh Budhial emerged as a standout performer in Heat 4, registering a high score of 16.00 to comfortably qualify, while Srikanth D and Som Sethi advanced from Heat 5. The final heats saw Sanjaikumar S and Nithish Varun T progress, followed by Akilan S and Ruban V, before Sivaraj Babu and Sheik Davudh S completed the list of qualifiers for the knockout stages.
The variety in scoring patterns across heats reflected both the changing wave conditions and the surfers’ adaptability. Butler Bay’s right-hand reef break demands precise positioning and timing, and those who managed to link multiple manoeuvres on a single wave gained a clear advantage.
In the Women’s Open Surfing event, the quarterfinals produced a competitive field heading into the semifinals. Sugar Shanti Banarse led the performances with a score of 12.84, while Kamali Moorthy followed with 10.34. Shrishti Selvam, Riva Aurora, Devi Ramanathan, and Sandhya Arun also secured their places in the next round.
The women’s field has shown encouraging signs of depth, with multiple surfers capable of posting competitive scores. The semifinals are expected to be closely contested, particularly given the relatively narrow margins separating the top performers.
Officials overseeing the event expressed satisfaction with both the competition and conditions. The consistent wave patterns at Butler Bay have allowed for uninterrupted scheduling, while the technical nature of the reef break has ensured that performances are determined by skill rather than variability.
The event, organised by the Surfing Federation of India and supported by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism Department, represents a significant step in expanding India’s competitive surfing calendar. Hosting a national-level championship in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands not only introduces athletes to a new competitive environment but also strengthens the region’s positioning as a potential hub for surfing and water sports.
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As the competition heads into its final day, the focus shifts to the knockout stages in surfing and the remaining SUP events. With top seeds advancing and conditions remaining favourable, the stage is set for a high-quality finish.
For now, Day 2 belonged to Sekar Patchai and Arthi two athletes who demonstrated control, endurance, and tactical awareness to secure their titles. Their performances have set a strong benchmark as the inaugural Little Andaman Pro moves towards its conclusion, promising a fitting finale to a landmark event in Indian surfing and paddling.
