Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), April 13: The Little Andaman Pro 2026 concluded with high-intensity finals as India’s top surfers and stand-up paddleboarders competed for national titles, marking a significant milestone for competitive surfing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Hosted by Andaman and Nicobar Tourism in association with the Surfing Federation of India, the three-day national-level championship brought together leading athletes against the backdrop of Little Andaman’s coastline, highlighting the region’s growing prominence in water sports.
In the Surfing Men’s Open Final, Sivaraj Babu secured the national championship with a score of 13.63 in a closely fought contest. He edged past Srikanth D, who finished at 13.33, with a narrow margin of 0.30 points. Kishore Kumar followed with 12.87, while Sanjay Selvamani registered 9.30 in a competitive heat that kept spectators engaged till the end.
The Surfing Women’s Open Final witnessed a commanding performance from Kamali Moorthy, who defended her title to claim her second consecutive national championship. She recorded a score of 15.83, maintaining a clear lead over Sugar Shanti Banarse, who finished with 11.64. Devi Ramanathan secured 7.84, and Riva Aurora rounded off the standings with 5.23.
In the stand-up paddleboard (SUP) Sprint Men’s Final, Sekar Pachai continued his strong run, finishing first with a time of 1:22.32. Akash Pujar followed at 1:24.65, while Selvarasan Nagamuthu completed the race in 1:29.98, securing third position.
The SUP Sprint Women’s Final saw Vijayalakshmi Irulappan take the top spot, clocking 1:40.35. Arthi secured second place with 1:48.02, and Nishi finished third with a time of 2:47.94.
Secretary (Tourism) Jyoti Kumari attended the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed prizes to the winners. She congratulated the participants and acknowledged their discipline, dedication and sporting spirit throughout the competition. She also commended the organisers for executing the event efficiently within a short timeframe and encouraged youth participation in such sporting activities, assuring continued administrative support for the development of sports and adventure tourism in the islands.
Surfing Federation of India President Arun Vasu said the championship reflected the growing depth of talent in the country. He described the event as a remarkable experience and acknowledged the support extended by the Andaman and Nicobar Tourism Department.
Director of Tourism Vinayak Chamadia said the successful hosting of the Little Andaman Pro 2026 positions the islands as an emerging hub for surfing and adventure tourism. He noted that the strong response from athletes and audiences would encourage the administration to host more such events.
The Department of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in association with the Surfing Federation of India, organised the national championship in the islands for the first time. The event combined sport, community participation and cultural engagement, reinforcing the region’s potential as a premier destination for water sports and setting the stage for the continued growth of surfing in India.
