India Paddle Festival: APP World Tour Debuts in Karnataka with International Stand-Up Paddling Championship

Mangalore: The Association of PaddleSurf Professionals World Tour (APP) has announced its entry into India with the inaugural India Paddle Festival, set to take place at the stunning Sasihithlu Beach in Mangalore, Karnataka, from 8th to 10th March 2024. This marks India’s first-ever International Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) championship and is a significant milestone for the growth of the sport in the region.

Presented by Karnataka Tourism and organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation, the India Paddle Festival will host top athletes from the APP World Tour, along with aspiring professionals from the region. The event precedes the official launch of the 2024 APP World Tour, making it an exciting and pivotal moment for the global stand-up paddling community.

Tristan Boxford, CEO of the APP World Tour, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are extremely pleased to make our first entry into India with the Surfing Swami Foundation and Karnataka Tourism. We hope that the India Paddle Festival will help the sport get the much-needed push to expand in the region. This championship will also provide an opportunity for the athletes to experience an international competition.”

Dhananjay Shetty, Director of the Surfing Swami Foundation, highlighted the significance of this event for the Indian surfing and SUP community. “This is a very big step for the surfing and SUP community in India as we are going to witness the first-ever International SUP event in Mangaluru, on the west coast of the country,” he said. Shetty emphasized that the championship would contribute to the learning process of local paddlers and boost efforts to expand the sport, showcasing the tourism potential of the region.

Sekar Patchai, Indian Rank 1 in SUP, expressed excitement about the international event, stating, “We have always been waiting for an international event of this stature to be hosted in India. It is a chance for stand-up paddlers like me to learn from top international athletes and improve our skills and techniques from them.”

The 17-year-old Japanese World Champion, Shuri Araki, the youngest in history to win the world title at the age of 16, expressed her excitement about visiting India for the first time. “I am very excited to go to India for the first time and take part in the India Paddle Festival, looking forward to paddling in new waters and meeting local paddlers,” she said.

With Karnataka Tourism’s support, the India Paddle Festival is expected to be a resounding success, fostering international collaboration and promoting the sport of stand-up paddling in the region.