ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2025 - Report
MANAGER'S REPORT
ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2025
Punta Rocas, Peru | 5–12 December 2025
Submitted by: Nawaz Jabbar, Team Manager, Junior Team India
Inauguration ceremony
1. Background & Context
In 2023, India made its first-ever appearance at an ISA Senior World Surfing Games — a landmark moment for Indian surfing, made possible through the private funding of Mr. Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), and the TT Group, who sent four athletes and one coach to represent the country.
This year marked another historic milestone. With the support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), India made its first appearance at an ISA World Junior Surfing Championship — fielding a full contingent of eight athletes, two coaches, and one manager. This level of support allowed India to participate across all four available divisions: Boys Under 18, Boys Under 16, Girls Under 18, and Girls Under 16.
2. Venue & Conditions
The championship was held at Punta Rocas, Lima, Peru across two competition peaks. Punta Rocas is a powerful exposed reef break, known for long paddle outs and heavy, punchy waves — a significantly more demanding environment than what our athletes train and compete in at home.
December in Lima brought air temperatures ranging from lows of approximately 15°C to highs of around 22°C during the competition window of 5–12 December 2025. Water temperatures at Punta Rocas sat in the 18–20°C range — several degrees colder than conditions our athletes are accustomed to in India — requiring full wetsuits throughout the competition.
For most of our athletes, this was their first experience surfing in cold water conditions and competing in wetsuits. The team made the best use of the limited preparation time available to acclimatise to both the temperature and the powerful, long-period swells on offer at the venue.
3. Pre-Competition — Managers' Meeting
The day before competition commenced, a managers' meeting was held with representatives from all participating nations. It was a proud moment for Indian surfing when India received a special mention for successfully hosting the 2025 Asian Surf Championships — and for winning a Bronze Medal at that event.
The announcement was met with a warm round of applause from the assembled teams, reflecting the growing recognition and respect India is earning within the international surfing community.
4. Coaching & Team Management
Head Coach Samai Reboul and Coach Sanjay Selvamani faced the considerable logistical challenge of managing athletes competing simultaneously across two peaks at times, requiring split attention and real-time decision-making on heat strategy and wave selection. Both coaches handled this with professionalism and composure throughout the competition, and their efforts were integral to the team's performance on and off the water.
5. Team Performance
Junior Team India finished 41st overall out of 57 nations with 911 total points — a strong result for a first outing at this stage of international competition.
Boys Under 18
Kishore Kumar was India's standout performer of the entire championship. Competing in his first ISA World Junior event, Kishore advanced through Main Round 1 with a confident 7.70, beating surfers from Belgium and Panama, before posting a highly creditable 8.37 in Main Round 2 — only being eliminated by eventual top-5 finisher Jay Phipps (FRA, 9.93) and Romeo Stone (CRC, 10.13), both of whom progressed deep into the competition. A strong and composed showing against quality opposition.
Som Sethi competed across both Boys Under 18 and Boys Under 16 divisions. In U18, he was drawn against Kaisei Adachi (JPN, 12.27) in Main Round 1 and was unable to advance. In U16, he posted a 3.74 before being eliminated via the Repechage. Som's double participation demonstrated his versatility and commitment.
Tayin Arun made his World Junior debut in Boys Under 18, scoring 4.17 in Main Round 1 and showing improvement with a 4.40 in the Repechage before being eliminated.
Boys Under 16
Prahlad Sriram produced the most compelling individual storyline of India's campaign. Drawn in Main Round 1 against eventual champion Ocean Lancaster (AUS, 14.50) — one of the most difficult possible draws in the draw — Prahlad was pushed to the Repechage. He responded brilliantly, winning his Repechage heat with a 5.77 to fight his way back into the main draw, showing exactly the kind of competitive resilience we want to see from our young athletes. He was ultimately eliminated in Main Round 2 against stronger opposition but left a strong impression.
Harish Prakash also competed in Boys Under 16, reaching the Repechage before being eliminated with a score of 2.73 against Cash Souter (USA, 8.23).
Girls Under 18 & Girls Under 16
Kamali Prakash was India's most versatile athlete, competing across both Girls Under 16 and Girls Under 18 divisions. Her best performance came in Girls Under 16, where she advanced to Main Round 2 — India's best female result of the championship — posting a 4.63 before being eliminated by Arisa Ishii (JPN, 11.83) and Carden Jagger (CRC, 9.34). In Girls Under 18, she scored 4.33 in her opening heat before being eliminated via the Repechage.
On the Water
Across all divisions, there were multiple mentions from officials, commentators, and fellow team managers of the level of surfing India displayed and the impression the team made — both on and off the live broadcast of the event. This recognition is significant for a nation making its first junior world appearance.
6. Interactions & Institutional Meetings
The competition provided an invaluable opportunity for relationship building at the international level. I had the opportunity to interact with many teams over the course of the championship, including several fellow Asian nations whom we have existing relationships with from prior events on the Asian circuit. These interactions were warm and reinforced the strong standing India has developed within Asian surfing.
Importantly, I also had the opportunity to meet with senior officials at the ISA. These meetings were productive and positive, and as a result, we are now actively discussing collaboration opportunities and India's prospects as a host nation for international events. These conversations — initiated directly through our presence and conduct at this championship — are significant for India's ambitions in the sport.
7. Conclusion
While we did not place as high in the overall rankings as we would have hoped, this was an outstanding first outing at the junior world stage. The team competed with heart, the coaches managed brilliantly under challenging logistical conditions, and India's presence — both on the water and off it — left a strong impression on the international community.
The relationships and conversations initiated at this championship with fellow nations and the ISA are key to strengthening India's position in the Asian and international surfing landscape, and to the long-term development of the sport and our athletes at home. We look forward to building on this foundation in the years ahead.
Nawaz Jabbar
Team Manager, Junior Team India
ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2025
Punta Rocas, Peru
