Asian Surfing Championship 2025
Event Report
Venue: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Dates: August 3 – 12, 2025
Organized by: Surfing Federation of India (SFI)
Sanctioned by: Asian Surfing Federation (ASF)
Supported by: Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT)
Venue Partner: Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TNSA)
1. Introduction
The 4th Asian Surfing Championship 2025, sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF) and supported by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), was successfully conducted from August 3rd to 12th, 2025 at the world-renowned surf break of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
This landmark event marked India’s debut as host of a continental-level surfing championship, positioning the nation — and Tamil Nadu — as a key center for surfing development in Asia. The championship served as a qualifying event for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, featuring elite surfers from across the continent.
2. Objectives
Showcase Tamil Nadu’s coastline as a global surfing destination.
Provide Indian athletes with international competition exposure.
Strengthen India’s ties with the Asian Surfing Federation and International Surfing Association (ISA).
Create pathways for qualification to the 2026 Asian Games.
Promote youth engagement, ocean awareness, and sports tourism in India.
3. Scale and Participation
The 2025 Asian Surfing Championship was the largest-ever surfing event hosted in India, with extensive national and international participation.
Total Athletes: 112
Team Officials & ASF Delegates: 70
Participating Nations: 19
Competition Days: 9 (August 3 – 12, 2025)
Heats Conducted: 68
Spectator Attendance: Over 3,000 visitors
Live Broadcast: LiveHeats.com and Asian Surfing Federation digital platforms
4. Participating Nations (19)
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
South Korea
Kuwait
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Myanmar
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
(Sri Lanka did not participate this year.)
5. Championship Divisions
Open Men’s Shortboard
Open Women’s Shortboard
Under 18 Boys Shortboard
Under 18 Girls Shortboard
Aloha Cup (Team Event)
All categories followed ASF competition standards and were judged live via LiveHeats, in accordance with ISA rules.
6. Event Timeline
Opening Ceremony: August 3 – Mahabalipuram Beachfront
Flag march of 19 nations
Inaugural addresses by dignitaries and SDAT officials
Competition: August 4 – 11
Consistent 3–5 ft wave conditions
Daily heats 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Live results on LiveHeats and SFI social channels
Closing Ceremony: August 12 – Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Ballroom
Chief Guest: Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
Guests of Honour:
Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS – Additional Chief Secretary
Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS – Member Secretary, SDAT
Mr. Karin Sierralta – Vice President, ISA & President ALAS
Mr. Shu Miyabe – Secretary General, ASF
Mr. Arun Vasu – President, SFI
7. Official Results (Finalists – LiveHeats Scores)
Division
Open Men
Kanoa Hee-Jae (South Korea) – 15.17
Pajar Ariyana (Indonesia) – 14.57
Ramesh Budihal (India) – 12.60
Open Women
Anri Matsuno (Japan) – 14.90
Sumomo Sato (Japan) – 13.70
Isabel Higgs (Philippines) – 12.80
U18 Boys
Kanoa Hee-Jae (South Korea) – 14.33
Shidong Wu (China) – 13.10
Shulou Jiang (China) – 12.40
U18 Girls
Siqi Yang (China) – 14.50
Shuhan Jin (China) – 10.33
Isabel Higgs (Philippines) – 9.70
Aloha Cup (Team)
Japan Team – 39.23
China Team – 32.81
Philippines Team – 31.30
LiveHeats Official Results – https://liveheats.com/asiansurfing
8. Team India Performance
Team India achieved a historic milestone with its strongest continental performance ever:
🥉 1 Bronze Medal – Ramesh Budihal (Open Men’s Division)
🌊 1 Semi-Finalist – Open Men Category
💪 4 Quarterfinalists across Open and U18 divisions
Led by Head Coach Samai Reboul and Assistant Coach Sanjay S, the team displayed remarkable progress, showcasing the results of years of structured development programs under the Surfing Federation of India and SDAT’s support.
This performance underscores India’s rising competitiveness and validates the national vision to produce elite surfers capable of medaling at the 2026 Asian Games.
9. President’s Statement
“This championship has truly placed Tamil Nadu and India on the global surfing map. The talent and dedication shown by our athletes are deeply inspiring,” said Mr. Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India.
“All the hard work and focus over the past three years have been rewarded with India’s first-ever bronze medal at the AS 2025. We also had one more semi-finalist and four surfers reach the quarter-finals. Five years ago, India did not even exist on the Asian surfing rankings — today,Lk immensely proud of the entire Indian team. Our focus and target are now firmly set on the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.”
10. Tourism & Economic Impact
Over 2000 spectators throughout the event.
Local hospitality saw a 30% increase in occupancy.
Strong media coverage through national and international outlets (ESPN Asia, The Hindu, Times of India).
Boosted Tamil Nadu’s position as a surfing and adventure tourism destination.
Showcased Mahabalipuram’s unique coastal heritage to global audiences.
11. Institutional Support
The event’s success was made possible by:
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT)
Tamil Nadu Tourism Department
Coastal Security Group
Fire & Rescue Services
Department of Health & Family Welfare
District Administration, Chengalpattu
Surf Turf Mahabalipuram Team
Volunteers & Officials of TNSA and SFI
12. Legacy & Way Forward
The success of the 4th Asian Surfing Championship 2025 has firmly established Tamil Nadu as India’s surfing capital. Building on this momentum, SFI and SDAT plan to:
Host the Mahabs Point Break Challenge 2026 and Covelong Classic International Festival.
Conduct ASF-certified training camps for U18 and Open athletes.
Expand coaching programmes for grassroots surf centers across Tamil Nadu.
Strengthen preparation for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
13. Acknowledgements
The Surfing Federation of India extends its gratitude to:
Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare & Sports Development
Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, SDAT
Mr. Karin Sierralta, Vice President, ISA & President, ALAS
Mr. Shu Miyabe, Secretary General, ASF
Mr. Arun Vasu, President, SFI
Mr. Siddarth Hande, President, TNSA
for their vision, support, and commitment to advancing surfing in India and Asia.
