In 2023, India’s first national surf team made history by entering the Olympic qualifiers. In the official documentary, teammate Sivaraj walked out of the repechage round smiling — his score an afterthought. The voiceover followed, reflecting on how just being in international waters, sharing waves with the world’s best, was enough.
Since then, the perception of Indian surfing has shifted. More invites. More waves. More opportunities for new athletes to test themselves beyond home shores. Is this exposure the start of India’s first generation of elite surfers?
“As a coach, my proudest moment was when we took Harish to ASC (Asian Surfing Championship),” says Samai Reboul, coach of the Indian Surf Team. “He was very young for a competition like this; not everyone agreed with my suggestion, but moments like these keep us coming back. They motivate the next generation to get involved in the sport.” He added, “while he’s a kid here, when they’re out there, it’s a different mindset, he was listening to what he was supposed to do and in no time he owned the island”.
While Samai Reboul firmly believes that India’s coastline offers the quality waves to hone pro-level maneuvers, he admits that international exposure adds immense value. “What I’ve noticed is that most of the time, it’s not the physical ability — it’s the psychological game that needs work when our athletes step outside the country,” he says. “There’s immense pressure. Right now, we only have a couple of athletes who can really hack it. These experiences make a huge difference.”
It’s not just about competing; it’s about adjusting to a whole new environment. “Surfing where sharks are present or facing waves bigger than anything they’ve seen at home — it’s a different ball game,” Samai explains. “These aren’t situations they deal with every day. That kind of exposure changes how they approach the sport.”
In November, four young surfers — two boys and two girls — from the Indian subcontinent were invited to compete in Reunion Island just after also securing quota spots for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. It’s a sign that India’s surf scene is no longer just riding the swell; it’s making waves on the international stage. With more exposure and a growing focus on mental toughness, the next generation of Indian surfers might just be gearing up for their biggest break yet.
