Indian Open of Surfing 2026: Asian Games Race Intensifies as India’s Top Surfers Head to Mangalore

Indian surfing enters one of its most important weeks in recent history as the seventh edition of the Indian Open of Surfing prepares to begin in Mangalore from May 29 to 31.

With surfing set to make its historic debut at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, this year’s championship carries significance far beyond domestic medals and ranking points. For several of India’s leading surfers, the event could directly influence their chances of representing the country on the continental stage later this year.

Hosted at the Blue Bay Tannirbhavi Eco Beach in Karnataka, the NMPA Indian Open of Surfing 2026 will serve as the second stop of the National Championship Series following the Little Andaman Pro held earlier this year. The stakes are particularly high because India has secured two quota spots each in the Men’s Open Shortboard and Women’s Open Shortboard categories for the Asian Games. That limited availability has intensified competition among the country’s top surfers heading into Mangalore.

Organised by the Mantra Surf Club and Surfing Swami Foundation under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India, the Indian Open has steadily evolved into one of the premier events in the national surfing calendar.

Around 80 athletes from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are expected to participate across Surfing and Stand-Up Paddling disciplines. The event will feature Open and Under-18 categories for both men and women, while Under-14 competitions have also been introduced this year to strengthen grassroots development.

Much of the attention in Mangalore will centre around Ramesh Budihal, who enters the competition after a landmark phase in his career. Ramesh became the first Indian surfer to reach the Open Men’s final at the Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuram in 2025 before securing a historic bronze medal. That achievement marked one of the biggest international breakthroughs for Indian surfing and established him as one of the country’s leading medal hopes heading into the Asian Games cycle.

Known for his calm decision-making during high-pressure heats and strong wave control, Ramesh has consistently delivered at major domestic events. His experience in handling crucial moments makes him one of the favourites in Mangalore.

Sivaraj Babu Arrives in Strong Form

Another major contender is Sivaraj Babu, who comes into the event with momentum after winning the Men’s Open title at the Little Andaman Pro earlier this season. One of Tamil Nadu’s standout surfers in recent years, Sivaraj has built a reputation for consistency and intelligent wave selection. Unlike more aggressive surfers who rely heavily on risky manoeuvres, Sivaraj’s strength lies in rhythm, balance and tactical awareness during heats.

His credentials in Mangalore are also significant because he won the sixth edition of the Indian Open of Surfing at the same venue after finishing runner-up the previous year. With only two Asian Games spots available in the men’s category, another strong performance could significantly strengthen his selection case.

Among the younger surfers to watch is Kishore Kumar, widely viewed as one of the brightest emerging talents in Indian surfing. Kishore has steadily progressed through the national circuit with strong performances at multiple major events, including previous editions of the Indian Open. Internationally, he created history by becoming the first Indian surfer to reach the semifinals of the Under-18 category at the Asian Surfing Championships in Maldives in 2024.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/nmpa-indian-open-of-surfing-2026-returns-as-india-s-asian-games-hopefuls-prepare-for-crucial-national-event

The Mangalore event could prove crucial in determining how quickly he transitions from a promising prospect into a regular senior international contender.

The women’s field is expected to attract equal attention, led by Kamali P. One of the most recognisable faces in Indian surfing, Kamali has consistently dominated national competitions over the years while also helping increase the visibility of women’s surfing in the country.

Her successful defence of the Women’s Open title at the previous Indian Open of Surfing further cemented her status as one of India’s premier surfers. Known for her fluid wave riding and tactical discipline, Kamali remains one of the strongest contenders for the two Asian Games quota spots in the women’s category.

Representing Goa, Sugar Shanti Banarse enters the championship as another important contender in the women’s division. Her fearless approach and adaptability across varying surf conditions have made her one of the most competitive surfers on the national circuit. With Asian Games selection on the line, her performances in Mangalore could become highly significant.

The Indian Open of Surfing has traditionally highlighted the rivalry between surfers from India’s eastern and western coastlines, particularly the dominance of Tamil Nadu surfers in recent years. However, this year’s event carries unprecedented importance because of the Asian Games factor.

For Indian surfing, the possibility of competing at one of Asia’s biggest multi-sport events represents a transformational moment. Over three days at Tannirbhavi Beach, India’s top surfers will not only battle for national honours, but potentially for the opportunity to shape the next chapter of the sport’s history in the country.