The opening day of the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025 proved to be a stern test for India’s women surfers, as none of the three homegrown competitors managed to secure direct passage into the next round of the Women’s Open category.
Held on the sun-soaked beaches of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, the competition brought together Asia’s top wave-riders and exposed the performance gulf that still exists between emerging surf nations like India and established powerhouses such as Japan and Indonesia. In front of a supportive local crowd, Indian surfers Kamali Moorthy, Sugar Shanti Banarse, and Shrishti Selvam took to the waters with energy and optimism. But despite determined efforts, the scoreboard told a difficult story by the end of the day.
India’s Scores Fall Short in Opening Round
Kamali Moorthy, one of India’s most experienced competitive surfers, posted the highest score among the Indian contingent 7.60 points a decent tally, but not enough to break into the top qualifying positions in her heat. Moorthy showed flashes of technical control and local wave knowledge, but struggled to link together high-scoring maneuvers on the inconsistent surf.
Goa’s Sugar Shanti Banarse, known for her flair and aggressive approach, scored 4.97 points, while Chennai’s Shrishti Selvam registered 4.60 in her debut at a senior-level continental championship. Both surfers looked composed but found it hard to generate the speed and flow necessary to impress the international judging panel under the World Surf League-style scoring system in place.
In contrast, Japan’s Anri Matsuno laid down a commanding performance, topping the day’s scoring chart with a blistering 15.34 points. Her precise rail work and seamless transitions highlighted the technical gap that still exists between India and Asia’s elite surfing nations.
Bright Moments, but No Progress
Although none of the Indian women made it past their initial heats, the effort and intent were clear. For Kamali Moorthy, surfing in home waters brought both pressure and pride. A product of Covelong’s growing surf culture, Kamali tried to take advantage of her familiarity with the break, but wave selection proved to be a critical factor. Many of the sets during her heat closed out quickly, offering limited scoring opportunities.
Sugar Shanti, who has trained extensively abroad and brings international competition experience, showed moments of promise. However, her turns lacked the critical impact and variety the judges were looking for. Shrishti Selvam, one of the youngest competitors in the Open category, displayed commendable composure in a tough field. While her score of 4.60 may not reflect it, her clean takeoffs and commitment earned nods of approval from the sidelines.
Repechage Route Still Open
While the direct route has closed, hope still lingers for the Indian trio as they enter the repechage rounds on Wednesday. These secondary elimination rounds offer a second chance to stay in the competition. Each heat will be a high-stakes, do-or-die affair, as only the top performers will survive and move forward.
Repechage heats often demand a higher level of strategic awareness. Surfers need to adapt quickly to shifting conditions, make fast decisions on wave selection, and deliver their best rides under pressure. For the Indian surfers, this will be a test not only of skill but of resilience.
India’s presence at the Asian Surfing Championships reflects the rapid growth of surfing in the country, particularly along the east coast. Beaches like Mahabalipuram, Covelong, and Puri have become surf hotspots in recent years, fueled by local clubs, international coaches, and the emergence of national surfing competitions under the Surfing Federation of India (SFI).
The inclusion of surfing in multi-sport events like the Asian Games and the Olympics has given the sport new momentum. Athletes like Kamali, Sugar, and Shrishti are part of a small but passionate wave of Indian surfers breaking new ground. While results like today’s may seem discouraging, they are vital steps in the long process of competing consistently on the Asian and global stage. The performance gap between India and countries like Japan and Indonesia is still wide, but exposure to international competition is critical. Tuesday’s results offered a reality check, but also provided valuable experience that cannot be replicated in training.
As the repechage rounds begin on Wednesday, the focus for India’s surfers will shift from scoreboard pressure to execution clean takeoffs, better wave selection, and linking maneuvers with speed and intent.
For now, the Indian women remain in the hunt. And if they can ride their best waves when it matters most, Wednesday might just offer a new chapter in India’s surfing journey.
Final Scores – Women’s Open (India):
- Kamali Moorthy – 7.60 pts
- Sugar Shanti Banarse – 4.97 pts
- Shrishti Selvam – 4.60 pts
- Top score of the day: Anri Matsuno (Japan) – 15.34 pts
