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“One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are.” Edith Wharton
7,517 kilometers of coastline, thousands of waves hitting the shores per second, and a surf club that just wants to tap all that tidal energy under a board – The Shaka Surf Club (TSSC) is all set to let you and me surf on all that unexplored beautiful water.
Hang loose, relax and just let the waves rule. That’s what TSSC is all about. For those who aren’t familiar with this popular Hawaiian greeting, especially in surf culture, fold your index, middle and ring finger together and what you get is the symbol ‘Shaka’.
The surfing school is perhaps one of the few official surf clubs situated on the Konkan coast and its founders Tushar and Ishita are two of the seventy surfers in India (Ishita being the first and only female surfer in India) who are passionate about surfing. Here are excerpts from an interview of the founders of TSSC:
Your club recently got featured in Nat Geo Traveller and MTV. Take us through the whole journey of your club.
Ishita and I were still in college when we decided to start surfing regularly. We would just hit the beach whenever we were up for it. Slowly, word got out and people started approaching us for teaching them how to surf. Seeing the interest grow, we set up this club and it was a part time venture and we decided that we didn’t want to get employed and miss all this action in the sea. It’s been five and a half years since then and there’s no looking back. We got officially registered and certified by the Surfing Federation of India last year.
And about the coverage, we were so excited when we got approached by contestants of a travel-based reality show on MTV. We taught them how to surf and it was very interesting to know what all goes behind the scenes. We are so stoked to get featured in The Hindu, Kingfisher Magazine and National Geographic Traveller Magazine.
That’s great! What’s the reaction of locals at Manipal been? What is the scope of Surfing in the Indian context?
The surf school being located at a beach close to a village, the locals would always come out of their homes and look on in amazement. A few kids were very enthusiastic about the idea and we taught them how to surf. The best thing is that their parents didn’t mind sending the kids off to the sea. It is only a myth that surfing is scary. It is not! It is the most fun-filled activity that you can do at sea. Surfing is more of a lifestyle than a sport.
Are people getting professionally inclined towards it or is it still a sort of passion here?
Surfers in India are a small and close-knit community consisting of around 70 surfers who are totally into surfing with their heart and soul. There are less than six official surfing schools in the country. We are happy to know that the Surfing Federation of India is looking forward to forming a surfing team that would represent the country in International tournaments and contests. If surfing is included in the next Olympics, it will be an encouraging push to this action-filled water sport. Finally India will be on the map of the Surfing world!
Okay! Surfing seems a lot of fun. But as a sport, how is it beneficial to one’s health?
For most of us, going to a gym becomes boring after some time. Surfing, on the other hand, is a very active sport. Plus you get the benefit of a full body workout. You get a healthy body, an active mind and sport a wonderful tan!
And how does one go about it as a beginner and what attire does one subscribe to?
The only skill you need to know is to swim. No non-swimmers. You should be comfortable in water.
While surfing you should wear ‘board shorts’ and a T-shirt.
How much time does one take to learn how to surf? How do youngsters, especially, take to surfing? What are the different course packages in your surf school?
It really depends on person to person. Typically, we advise five to ten lessons before hitting the waves without us. Once you get the hang of it, it’s fun. In fact, many of our students come back again the next surf season and few have even bought surf boards.
In TSSC, a session lasts for two and a half hours and we charge students Rs. 800 per session and others Rs. 1200 per session. We teach villagers here for free.
Talking about seasons, what is the best time to surf in the Konkan coast ? What are your plans for the coming season?
We don’t advise surfing in monsoons as the waves are quiet violent. The surfing season starts in mid September.
TSSC plans to start a one week long surf camp in mid-October which will not only teach students how to surf, but give them an opportunity to stay on the beach and enjoy the surf culture.
What are the hot spots for surfing in India that attract experienced surfers and tourists?
There are a lot of secret spots which we have discovered and each surfer may find one place better than the other. It is all about catching a nice wave. Sri Lanka, in this context, is blessed with more powerful waves than what India gets.
For tourists and students, there are plenty of beaches in Manipal. Other hot sports are on the coasts of Murdeshwar and Parambur in Karnataka, Goa, Kerela,Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puri beach in Orissa. Our neighbour Bangladesh is also becoming a surfing hot spot!
Most people assume that Goa is the only place where you can surf. But the seven thousand kilometers of coastline waits to be discovered.
For foreign tourists who are experts in surfing, it is advised to contact a local surfing club and ask them about nearby surfing destinations.
Talking about surfboards, what are the different types?
The type of surfboard you use also determines the style of surfing. There is basically the long board and the short board. In Hawaii, people used logs to ride the waves and that is how this amazing water sport came into existence. Today, there is a wide range to choose from – fish tail boards, single fins, 9 feet long, 12 feet long boards and so on.
Long boards generally help you in slow movement which is a very elegant surfing style where you use it for riding smaller waves. On a short board, you feel the power, the quick movement and try various maneuvers. They help you ride the bigger waves.
Any big ticket projects you guys are coming up regarding surfing?
60,000 drowning cases are registered in India each year and that is a very depressing figure. We collaborated with the American Red Cross and Project Swim International for running a water safety and education programme. We held interactive sessions in schools and colleges for locals here and now want to take it up on a more regular basis.
We are proud partners with an international surfing company, QuickSilver and are the first surfing school to have partnered with it in India.
ROXY is another surfing company we have collaborated with and they even invited Ishita for a photoshoot for their spring collection.
We have also started our online surf shop where you can choose from a variety of surf boards and other beach stuff.
What about surfing contests in India?
The first Indian Surf Fest was held at Puri beach in Orissa in February this year. Last year, an unofficial surfing contest was held at Mahabalipuram.This year in September, a Summer Swell Challenge is coming up and we might attend it too.
Surfing is safe, but the sea isn’t. What safety measures do you advice?
If you don’t know what you are doing while you surf, that is very dangerous. Make sure you are really good at a particular manoeuvre before you go out on your own.
As a beginner, one should always surf with other experienced surfers. Even as an expert, it is advised that one never surfs alone. Take a surf buddy along to keep an eye on everything.
Anybody can surf and it just requires a little practice. It is pretty safe if you concentrate on what you’re doing. The occasional cuts and bruises are common in any sport.
What would you like to say to those who plan to take up surfing or anyone who wants to take up water sports in the future?
Surfing has the potential to change a lot of things that are wrong. There is no proper beach culture in our country. People don’t respect the beach and tend to litter. We have organised beach clean ups and locals also help, but it needs to be done on a larger scale. Once you start surfing, or doing any water sport, you realise the importance of the ocean and the shore.
Location: Delta beach, Kodi bengre, Udupi, Karnataka
Originally appeared on http://elanadventures.com/blogs
