Ram is a founding member of the Surfing Federation of India since 2011 and an original member of India’s first surf establishment Mantra Surf Club under the aegis of Surfing Swami. He’s been at the forefront of surfing development in India for a decade now where he was instrumental in introducing many different programs, policies, and structures in the country. Ram is also widely known for many surf explorations around the sub-continent and the documentation of surfing culture through his surf photography. His work has been published around the world in various surf media and many successful collaborations with global surf brands. His work was pivotal in putting India on the global surf map.

Arun Vasu is the Chairman and Managing Director of TT Group and the Honorary Consul for Sweden (South India) has been windsurfing from the age of 13. With 37 years of experience in the adventure tourism industry, he has successfully made water sports accessible along the east coast of India by establishing one of the successful surf schools (Surf Turf) on the east coast & Covelong Point Surfing Festival. This is his way of sharing the tremendous joy he experiences in the ocean and the discipline he learns from the sport with as many as he can. His heart is in India being recognized on the world surfing map and aiding athletes to tour the world showcasing their talent from coast to coast, making India proud.

An avid waterman and a longtime advisor of SFI for developmental programs and policymaking. Jehan brings decades of experience in structuring and policymaking to help SFI further develop surfing as a safe and professional sport in the country. Jehan is a lifetime Kitesurfer amongst other aquatic sports & founder of Quest Academy which was established to develop professional training courses in the aquatic sports industry. The academy organises the iconic annual National SUP Championship- the Palkbay SUP Challenge near Rameswaram. Being an ISA Course presenter, ISA SUP Instructor & ILS Aquatic rescue course presenter he is a key figure in the development of SUP & allied sports in our country.

Nawaz has played the role of contest director at most of the surfing & SUP events organised by SFI which has enabled him to understand the standard of judging, athlete management and importance of developing surfing & SUP at all levels. He is a qualified ISA Level 2 Judge, an entrepreneur and a legal professional based out of Chennai with a keen interest in cycling, tennis and needless to say, any sport which is above or under water. It is this interest in water sports that lead him to start Surfing, SUP and Windsurfing a few years ago.



Gaurav Hegde is an industrialist and a SUP enthusiast who’s very keen to see surfing and water sports develop on the west coast of India. He firmly believes surfing can empower coastal communities across the region and pave way for coastal tourism development.

Dr. Ishani is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries and hails from a family of medical professionals. Along with helping her patients with their injuries, her motto is “Stay active and engage in sports for a fit balanced healthy life.” Dr Ishani started surfing 11 years ago with her family and since then has been regularly surfing & stand up paddle across India and the world. As a Board Member of the Surfing Federation of India she aspires to take women’s surfing and allied ocean sports to greater heights in India with the stellar Governing Council members.

Star of the council, Somdev is a former professional tennis player, an Arjuna Awardee and a recipient of Padma Shri award who brought laurels to India. Being an accomplished athlete and now a Surf & SUP enthusiast, Somdev understands the sport of surfing and its lifestyle. The agenda for the council is to develop the sport in India in liaison with sports departments and other organisations and Somdev plays a key role in that.

Jonty Rhodes, the legendary South African cricketer and perhaps one of the best known cricketers to have ever played for South Africa is also an avid surfer who enjoys surfing at home in South Africa and in India in the recent years.

For those of you who only know Jonty Rhodes from his successful career on the cricket ground, you will be pleased to know that Jonty took up surfing after he retired from Cricket to keep himself fit and ever since he's fallen in love with the sport and has been an active promoter of surfing in India, as surfing ambassador for Surfing Federation of India.

We welcome Jonty Rhodes to the Surfing Federation of India and we look forward to many moments together promoting the sport of surfing in India and internationally.

Universally known as a master of mental conditioning on the cricket field, Paddy Upton is also a stoked surfer and supporter of the sport of surfing.  From 2008 thru 2011 when India won the World Cup, Paddy was the mental conditioning coach for the Indian National Cricket Team. During this time Paddy also took time out to surf some great waves in India.

Befriending many up and coming surfers in India, Paddy was eager to lend his advice and professional experience to guide the Surfing Federation of India. We are now proud to have Paddy Upton as an official Ambassador of Surfing in India.

Presently, Paddy is currently appointed as the High-Performance coach for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.