India Paddle Festival 2025 returns with global champions

Mangaluru

The second edition of India’s only international stand-up paddling event will feature top global stars, including men’s World No. 2 Christian Andersen and former world champion Daniel Hasulyo. The women's competition will see defending champion and four-time world titleholder Esperanza Barreras take on South Africa’s Chiara Vorster and Korea’s Lim Sujeong.

India’s challenge will be led by national champion Sekar Patchai, a 25-time titleholder, alongside rising talent Manikandan. The festival, organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and Mantra Surf Club, is presented by Incredible India and Karnataka Tourism. It is sanctioned by the Association of PaddleSurf Professionals (APP) World Tour, the official global championship for stand-up paddling.

Apart from elite SUP races, the three-day event will feature cultural festivities and live music, making it a key platform for non-motorized water sports in India. Competitors will participate in various race formats, including sprint, technical, and distance races, testing their endurance and skill.

With over 40 athletes across four categories—men’s open, women’s open, junior U-16 boys, and girls—the festival is set to elevate the country's water sports scene. Following India’s recent success in securing its first-ever surfing quota for the Asian Games, this event marks another step forward in the sport’s growth.

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Top International Competitors:

• Men’s Category: World No. 2 Christian Andersen (Denmark), former world champion Daniel Hasulyo (Hungary), and Spain’s Antonio Morillo.

• Women’s Category: Defending champion Esperanza Barreras (Spain), Chiara Vorster (South Africa), and Lim Sujeong (Korea).