The Surfing Federation of India (SFI) on Tuesday announced the launch of India’s 2026 surfing season with the Little Andaman Pro 2026 – National Surf & SUP Championship, scheduled from April 9 to 12. The four-day event will take place at Butler Bay Beach in the Andaman Islands, marking the start of a highly anticipated season for the country’s surfers and stand-up paddlers.
Organised by the SFI and presented by Andaman and Nicobar Tourism, the championship will feature India’s top surfers competing in the Senior Division across both Surfing and Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) disciplines. Registrations are already underway, with TT Group coming on board as the official sponsor. The event also serves as a preparatory platform for India’s debut at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India secured its first-ever Asian Games surfing quota at the 2024 Asian Surfing Championships and expanded its allocation at the 2025 edition in Mahabalipuram, earning four slots – two each in the men’s and women’s categories – for the upcoming continental event. Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India, called the event “a landmark moment” and highlighted its role in developing athletes’ technical skills, creating opportunities for local communities, and positioning India as a serious contender in international surfing.
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Butler Bay, the venue for the championship, is widely regarded as one of India’s most promising surf locations. Unlike many mainland beach breaks, its reef break produces long, clean waves that enable surfers to perform extended rides and technical maneuvers. Competing in reef conditions provides Indian athletes, who primarily train on beach breaks, with crucial experience that will strengthen their competitiveness on the international stage.
Beyond competition, the Little Andaman Pro 2026 aims to highlight the Andaman Islands as a hub for surfing and ocean sports in India. With clear waters, coral reefs, and consistent swell patterns, the region is attracting increasing attention from surfers and adventure tourism stakeholders. The championship is expected to inspire youth participation while promoting sustainable development through sport.
The SFI also unveiled its expanded 2026 Annual Competition Calendar for Surf and SUP, featuring more national events than ever before. In addition to Little Andaman, the circuit will include traditional surf hubs in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, early-season competitions such as the Mumbai SUP Championship, and new additions like a Longboarding Division, opening doors for athletes specializing in classic surfing techniques.
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