India Surf Festival kicks off in Odisha

South African surfing models are out to promote the adventure sport on Ramachandi beach. The youth of Odisha isn’t complaining!
It was sun, sand and fun on the Ramachandi beach on the first day of India Surf Festival. Surfers soaring on the sunlit waves, surfing models sunbathing and the foreign and desi spectators having a gala time — all this was enough to warm up the atmosphere.
Needless to say, the South African surfing models on the beach caught the maximum attention. When caught up with Emma Meii, the surfer and model from South Africa said, “This is a lovely beach. It’s very clean compared to the other beaches in India. I am here to watch the sport and enjoy. There are ample opportunities here to promote surfing. You know, it’s an adventure sport and I believe the youth will go crazy. I guess, it’s being organized for the first time here and if promoted properly, this place can be a good destination for international surfers. If you surf, you also have the opportunity to visit different places and make new friends as well. It’s cool and full of fun. I am also a surfer but not going to surf here.”
Another surfer and model Yvette said, “I am very happy with my experience in Odisha.” Local spectators were obviously excited to witness these surfing models as cheerleaders to promote the sport. Exclaimed Pramod Kumar Swain, with his tongue firmly in cheek, “I had never seen such cute babes on the beach. They are uninhibited and I am happy to have come down to watch this event. I wish, I could surf and mingle with them. I love adventure and want to learn surfing.”
Founder of the Surfing Yogis and organizer of the festival, Sanjay Samantaray, is happy with the response to the festival. “This is our endeavour to show the people that such kinds of adventure sports, which are very popular at the international level, can also be hosted in India. We have a very clean beach here in Odisha and the water here is perfect for surfing. I want people to be more aware of this sport. As this is an expensive sport, we will be able to draw more number of international tourists to the state. We are trying to make it a major surfing destination. This will help to promote tourism in the state,” he said.