The historic Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) Shore Temple sea arena was the centrestage for some high voltage ‘sprayful’ action as it once again played host to another edition of the very competitive World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series from August 12-16, 2026. It was five days of world class surfing in the country’s first ever Pro Junior event, breaking along a lengthy right hand sandbar beside the Mahabalipuram Shore Temple. The waves offered a mix of open-face sections suited to powerful rail surfing, progressive airs and, on the right swell. Mahabalipuram has been showcasing the growing surf sport in India especially in Tamil Nadu. This time too the event was held in partnership with Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TSA) and Surfing Federation of India (SFI), and supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) plus the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, according to SFI President ArunVasu.
Japan’s Ikko Watanabe. Picture courtesy: The Hindu.
The prime objective of playing host to such competitions was to increase the popularity and patronage to this sport, what with the younger generation showing great enthusiasm for surfing. It was also to help the rising talents in this sport to earn ranking points, and gain experience competing against their counterparts in other parts of the world.
When the Qualifying Series of the World Surf League was first hosted by India in 2023 at Mahabalipuram, it was an important debut for surfing sport reflecting India’s aspiration to enter the international arena. The hosting of this event for a second time would go a long way in realising the ambition of conducting four other WSL events in the country, and enabling India’s talents in this sport to compete in the Challenger Series and Championship Tour events.
According to WSL Tour Director Ty Sorati, the commitment of SFI and TNSA to conduct this event was proof enough of their commitment to the popularisation and growth of the surfing sport in India.
The recent Shore Temple Classic QS 2000 and Pro Junior events featured Men’s and Women’s competitions in two Divisions: the WSL QS 2000 which offers Asia Region ranking points for the Qualifying Series and the Pro Junior and Junior Qualifying Series (JQS). Top performers on the Asia Region Rankings advance to the Challenger Series and then to the Championship Tour – the pinnacle of professional surfing.
About 1000 international level surfers from 12 countries in Asia competed for honours taking on the Indian challengers with the Men’s QS 2000 fielding 64 surfers, the Women’s QS 2000 fielding 32 surfers, Men’s Pro Junior (JQS) 32 surfers, and Women’s Pro Junior (JQS) competition having 24 surfers.
However, it was a disappointment for the young Indian participants what with the talented surfers of Japan sweeping as many as four titles in QS 2000 and Pro Junior titles for Men and Women. In the very closely contested Men’s QS 2000 competition, Japan’s Ikko Watanabe edged out his compatriot Tenshi Iwami by a 0.33 points difference; Watanabe scoring an outstanding 17.10 and Iwami 16.77 points. The Women’s Q 2000 Final had Japan’s Miral Ikeda edge out Thailand’s Isabel Higgs – the former scoring 14.00 points and the latter 12.40 points.
The Pro Junior Men’s Final saw another Japanese surfer Yuma Nagasawa defeating compatriot Ren Okano scoring 14.17 points against his rival’s 13.00. In the Women’s Pro Junior competition Hinata Shimizu (Japan) was crowned champion with the best score of 14.23 points against Hinano Shimizu’s effort of 12.23 points. Thailand’s Isabel Higgs was placed third and another Japanese Taro Takal finished in fourth position.
Such events open up opportunities for Indian surfers to gain experience and compete with top international talent in surfing.