India Makes Historic Debut with First-Ever Surf Team at ISA World Surfing Games 2023, Eyeing Olympic Qualification

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone for Indian surfing as the nation proudly assembled its inaugural surf team to compete in the highly anticipated ISA World Surfing Games 2023. Held in the captivating city of El Salvador, this prestigious event not only showcased the immense talent and dedication of our surfers but also served as the qualifier for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. With a historic representation on this global stage, India embarked on a remarkable journey, forging a path toward recognition and excellence in the sport.

ABOUT THE TEAM

AJEESH ALI:

Hailing from the picturesque coastal town of Kovalam, nestled along the shores of the Bay of Bengal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Ajeesh Ali emerges as a rising star in the world of competitive surfing. From the young age of 14, Ajeesh found his calling in the sport, fueling his passion and ambition to conquer the waves. Inspired by his elder brother’s remarkable achievements and national titles, Ajeesh set his sights on surpassing his sibling and making a name for himself on the global stage. Driven by an insatiable hunger to win and an unwavering determination to continuously improve. With every wave he rides, he etches his mark, setting his sights on soaring heights and a future laden with triumphs.

RAMESH BUDIHAL

Ramesh Buddihal is a passionate surfer from the aesthetic town of Kovalam, located along the mesmerizing coast of the Arabian Sea in Kerala, India. Ramesh draws his inspiration from the world’s top Brazilian surfers, mesmerized by their skill and finesse in the waves. With an innate competitive spirit, Ramesh thrives on the exhilaration of competition, constantly pushing himself to make progress and refine his surfing style to perfection. This young talent is driven by a burning desire to leave an indelible mark in the world of surfing, carving out his own path of greatness amidst the waves.

SANJAY SELVAMANI:

Coming from the serene coastal town of Kovalam, along the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu. Sanjay Selvamani emerges as a rising star in the world of surfing. With a passion for the sport that knows no bounds, Sanjay possesses a unique ability to harness every inch of the waves, effortlessly executing elegant yet powerful maneuvers. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Kelly Slater. Fuelled by his unwavering determination and admiration for his idol, Sanjay aspires to leave an indelible mark on the surfing world, captivating audiences with his exceptional talent and unyielding spirit. 

SIVARAJ BABU:

Sivaraj Babu, from the historic town of Mahabalipuram nestled along the captivating coast of the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a passionate and determined surfer. Inspired by his idols John John Florence and Griffin Colapinto, Sivaraj’s love for the sport has driven him to constantly strive for improvement. With an unwavering attitude of never giving up, he dedicates himself to honing his surfing skills, embodying the spirit of perseverance and dedication. Sivaraj’s journey embodies the essence of the surfing culture, where passion, admiration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence converge.

WORLDS SURFING GAMES 2023

Surf City continued to deliver solid 4-8 ft waves allowing the world’s best surfers to maximize their scoring potential in rounds one and two of the repechage heats of the ISA World Surfing Games – El Salvador.

The excitement and hype of the event were to be seen, with so much energy and an amazing atmosphere amongst the surfers, coaches, officials, and media.

Team India is one of four new nations competing in the ISA World Surfing Games hence we were in the bottom four nations when it came to seedings for the event, this meant that we would predominately be in the most difficult rounds coming up against the highest seeds which was a massive challenge for the Team India athletes, however offering the opportunity to surf against world number two Championship Tour Surfer (Joao Chianca) from Brazil in repechage round one and other high profile World Surf League Championship surfers, not your everyday occurrence! 

COMPETITION RESULTS:

Team India’s Sivaraj Babu and Ajeesh Ali were both leading their heats however needed a good backup score to advance in the big and testing surf conditions, the repechage heats were 15 minutes which proved to be difficult in particular surfing El Sunzal a long right-hand point break, battling the strong rips and shifting peaks they found themselves against the clock and unTeam India’s Sivaraj Babu and Ajeesh Ali were both leading their heats however needed a good back up the score to advance in the big and testing surf conditions, the repechage heats were 15 minutes which proved to be difficult in particular surfing El Sunzal a long right-hand point break, battling the strong rips and shifting peaks they found themselves against the clock and unfortunately were unable to get a good back up the score to advance.

Team India’s Ramesh Budihal had a stacked round two repechage heat, round two saw many top Championship Tour surfers fall out of competition and unfortunately, Ramesh was one of the unlucky surfers to be illuminated.

However, he surfed a great heat however his first two waves did not hit the reef and spin-off those great waves but closed out on him which he then had to get back into priority against the clock. Ramesh was able to paddle into a lovely set wave which he surfed with all his might and managed to produce some spectacular maneuvers carving off the top and doing a few roundhouse cutbacks on the wave.

Sanjay played a vital role in the team however did not get to surf in the event. He helped the coach and attended the managers’ and coaches’ meetings to represent Team India. He also took on the role of videographer helping the coach to concentrate on the competitors. Sanjay was the appointed sand bearer for Team India during the opening ceremony.

TT Group: The Proud Sponsor of the Indian Surf Team

We are grateful to acknowledge the generous support of TT Group, the proud sponsor of the Indian surf team. TT Group has played a vital role in making this historic debut at the ISA World Surfing Games 2023 possible. Their financial assistance and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in every aspect of the entire process, from training and preparation to travel and participation in the event.

Without the support of TT Group, the Indian surf team’s journey toward recognition and excellence in the sport would not have been possible. Their dedication to promoting and nurturing talent in various fields, including surfing, has made a significant impact on the development of sports in our nation.

TT Group’s contribution has not only provided financial backing but has also served as a source of motivation and inspiration for our surfers. Their support has enabled our athletes to focus on their training, improve their skills, and compete at the highest level. The partnership between TT Group and the Indian Surf team represents a shared vision of promoting sports and fostering a culture of excellence.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TT Group for their unwavering belief in our surfers and their commitment to promoting the sport of surfing in India. Their sponsorship has played a pivotal role in shaping the journey of the Indian surf team, and we look forward to achieving greater heights together in the future.