Visakhapatnam: Think of surfing and the usual names that crop up are Goa, Mulki (Karnataka), Kovalam (Tamil Nadu), Varkala (Kerala), and Puri (Odisha). But there is yet another surfing gem that rarely ever comes up while discussing the top surfing hotspots in the country – the `City of Waves’ Vizag.
Not many are aware that the `Port City’ is also quite popular with surfers, especially among international cricketers when they come here for matches. Players such as Jonty Rhodes, Rahul Dravid, Dale Steyn, Kane Williamson, Sanju Samson, Mitchell Marsh, and Tristan Stubbs have all either surfed here or shown interest in surfing along Vizag’s coastline.
Sadly, despite its international appeal, the surfing potential of Vizag’s pristine beaches has never been properly exploited -- either by successive governments, or by the local administration.
On most days, as the first rays of the sun break down over the sparkling blue waters of the Vizag coastline, small groups of surfers quietly paddle into the waves along the beach stretches at Mangamaripeta, Rushikonda, and Bheemunipatnam to find their big wave.
While surfing culture has long remained overlooked in Vizag, this passionate group of local surfers has been trying to keep it afloat, driven not by any institutional backing but by a strong belief that the city will one day find a prominent spot in the country’s surfing map.
Today, as surfing gains visibility globally as an Olympic sport and several Indian coastal states aggressively push surf tourism through festivals, competitions, and infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh lags behind, despite favourable natural conditions, one of the country’s longest coastlines, and a steadily growing surfing community.
Lack of institutional push Local surfers believe Vizag’s surfing culture began organically, long before the city even realized or recognised it. Kalyan Rayithi, a certified surfing instructor from the city, recalls how the sport slowly emerged in Vizag in the mid-2000s through interactions with foreign travellers.
Surfers, including Kalyan himself, initially learned to negotiate the waves by using broken bodyboards and improvised wooden planks, often without formal coaching.
“International surfers visiting Vizag occasionally left behind surfboards, magazines and films, slowly exposing local youngsters to surfing culture,” he said. The grassroots passion eventually translated into competitive success. Kalyan went on to participate in competitions across Mahabalipuram, Odisha, and Puducherry, winning multiple titles, including the ‘India Rookie of the Year’ award in 2013.
Yet, despite the early momentum, Vizag never received the institutional push that surfing communities in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala got through specialized surf festivals and related events.
Next big surfing destination The Port City offers a rare mix of accessible surfing locations, suitable waves, and scenic coastline – all within the city and close to each other. “What makes Vizag special are its waves,” says Gnanesh Malla, who has been actively promoting surfing culture in Vizag through social media since long.
“The conditions here are very suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers, which is rare to find. Another major advantage is that most surfing points are located just 15 to 20 kms from the city,” he adds.
Different beaches offer varying conditions for surfers. While Rushikonda provides relatively beginner-friendly stretches, surfers say Mangamaripeta is known for its long right-hand waves, attracting more experienced surfers. Tenneti Park and Sagar Nagar are also considered favourable for advanced surfing conditions during certain seasons.
Small but close-knit surfing community For local surfers, however, the connection to these beaches goes beyond sport. “It feels like discovering a side of your hometown you never knew existed,” says Prakash Kotipalli. “You wake up at dawn even before the city wakes up. Everything feels so slow and quiet. The surfing community here is small but we are close-knit.”
Despite the growing interest, surfers say not many in Vizag are aware that the city has an active surfing culture. Though it has been recognised as an Olympic sport, local surfers rue that surfing continues to remain largely unsupported in Andhra Pradesh.
“Surfing is no longer just a recreational activity. It is an Olympic sport now, and states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala are already investing in surf competitions, infrastructure, and athlete development,” says Anudeep Andy, a coach at one of Andhra Pradesh’s oldest surf schools in Vizag. “Vizag already has the waves and the talent. What it lacks is structured support and long-term vision,” he points out.
No proper ecosystem in Vizag Across southern India, destinations such as Mulki, Varkala, and Mahabalipuram have steadily built surfing ecosystems through festivals, surf schools, tourism branding, and national-level competitions, which has created stronger surf tourism ecosystems around their coastlines.
Tamil Nadu hosts international surfing events, while the recent Andaman Surf Pro attracted participants and visibility from global surfing communities. Vizag lacks that ecosystem despite the natural conditions, point out local surfing enthusiasts.
Even basic infrastructure is absent near the surfing points. Dedicated changing rooms, surfboard storage spaces, rental facilities, wash areas, lockers, rescue systems and organised surf zones are still limited despite growing interest in the sport.
“Compared to places like Mulki, what Vizag is missing is a proper surfing hub with basic amenities and stronger public awareness,” rues Anudeep. “Structured surf schools, government-backed competitions, and tourism promotion could significantly change Vizag’s surfing ecosystem,” he adds.
Members of ‘Vizag Surf Club’ recently interacted with representatives of Surfing Federation of India during the Andaman Surf Pro event to discuss the possibility of hosting a surfing competition in the city in the near future.
“Such events can become a turning point besides giving a boost to tourism. International and Indian surfers would start visiting the city for surf trips, which would also inspire local surfers as they would get a chance to compete at a global level,” suggests Gnanesh.
Will the tide turn?Despite the limited backing, several young surfers from Vizag continue to compete nationally through personal funding and community support. One of them is Karthek Sanku, who developed an interest in the sport after watching surfers ride waves during a beach visit with his family. He is ranked 7th in India in the National Surfing Series.
However, he says he is finding it difficult to sustain his passion. “Surfing equipment, training, and travel are expensive. A major part of my competition expenses and training support came through coach Anudeep. Many talented surfers stop competing because of financial problems and lack of sponsorships,” he points out.
Travelling with surfboards is also a challenge, often involving extra transport costs and improvised protective arrangements during journeys. Many local surfers come from fishing communities and humble backgrounds, making participation in competitions financially difficult despite strong talent and years of practice.
Anudeep believes surfing in Vizag has the potential to evolve beyond a niche sport into a broader tourism ecosystem involving surf schools, local stays, rentals, cafés, and adventure tourism experiences, much like destinations that now attract surfers from across India and abroad.
While other coastal states continue building surf festivals, tourism circuits and international competitions, Vizag’s surfers still return to the sea largely on their own, carrying repaired boards, borrowed equipment and years of self-taught passion, believing the city’s waves are still waiting to be recognised. High time this changes and the tide turns.
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