Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), April 7: Little Andaman is set to host its first national-level surfing championship from April 9 to 12 at Butler Bay Beach, with 86 surfers, including international participants, expected to compete across multiple categories in a four-day event.
Organised by the Department of Tourism in association with the Surfing Federation of India, the event titled ‘Little Andaman Pro 2026’ marks the entry of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into the national surfing circuit. The championship comes at a time when Indian surfing is preparing for its debut campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, adding significance to the competition.
The event will feature competitions in Men’s Open Surfing Shortboard, Women’s Open Surfing Shortboard, Men’s Open Stand-Up Paddleboard, and Women’s Open Stand-Up Paddleboard categories. Australian judge Rory Symes has been appointed as the Head Judge for the championship.
The event was inaugurated at Megapode Nest in the presence of senior officials of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, representatives of the Surfing Federation of India, and participating surfers from across the country.
Officials stated that the championship marks a step towards expanding adventure tourism and positioning Little Andaman as a destination for water sports. The administration highlighted that the Islands already host activities such as scuba diving and game fishing, alongside a growing sporting culture in disciplines including football, cycling, kayaking and rowing.
During the inauguration, the administration emphasised that the event is expected to improve the visibility of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on a broader platform. The participation of surfers from different regions is also seen as an opportunity to encourage local youth to engage in surfing and other water-based sports.
The Tourism Department noted that the response to the championship has drawn participation from across the country, reflecting the increasing popularity of surfing. The event is also expected to contribute to tourism by attracting both high-end and adventure-focused visitors to Little Andaman.
Officials stated that the championship represents an initial step in a broader plan to develop Little Andaman as a recognised centre for surfing and water sports. The initiative is aimed at integrating sports with tourism to create long-term opportunities for the Islands.
Representatives of the Surfing Federation of India acknowledged the support extended by the administration in organising the event and noted that the championship brings together surfers from different parts of the country to compete in the waters of Little Andaman.
The administration reiterated that the event is intended to establish a foundation for future competitions of similar scale, with a focus on strengthening the Islands’ presence in national and international sporting events.
The four-day championship at Butler Bay Beach is expected to conclude on April 12, marking the first such national-level surfing event hosted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
