Surfing Culture in India was unnoticed for a very long time, With over 7,500 km of coastline, the Indian subcontinent (and islands) has hundreds of surf breaks. Some have been explored and most have remained unexplored. It is well known that The monsoon season is the best time to learn surfing in India with the waves best suited for beginners.


There are several ways each individual relates to a wave, but in essence, they are all surfing. You can surf a wave with a hand plane, bodyboard, surfboard, stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and even with just your body.


Here are quick picks for you to try surfing

1. Covelong point, Kovalam Chennai

This place remains the favorite place to surf in south India. Kovalam (Covelong) is a fishing village in Chennai, India, 40 kilometers south of Chennai, on the East Coast Road en route to Mahabalipuram. Founded by Mr. Murthy Meghavan, A fisherman son to a professional surfer, the reason surfers flock to this small hamlet today.

The best time to visit:

During the summer months and most often in July where the swells are very much friendly for beginner surfers.

For more details - www.covelongpoint.com

2. Surf Turf, Kovalam Chennai

Surf Turf is located in the various parts of south India like Kovalam, Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, and Chetpet. Surf turf is very much known for its Annual Covelong Surf festival. Where surfers around the world participate in it. The place provides classes for surfing from beginners to professionals and also they do rent out the board for individual surfers. They do also provide classes for Kayaking and Stand up paddles. They do have professional instructors to guide you with your sessions.


The best time to visit:

The best time to visit this location is during the summer months and most often in July where the swells are very much friendly for beginner surfers.

For more details - www.surfturf.in

3. Bay of Life, Kovalam Chennai

This is known as the first accredited surf school in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Situated in Kovalam Chennai, This school is accredited by the National & International governing body, Certified in Safety, and follows the highest standard of safety with ISA certified Instructors, and you are assured that you are learning from the best instructors. This school is very much into providing surf lessons for beginners in very friendly surf sports in Kovalam. This school also provides lessons for sports like SUP, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, and Ocean Swimming. 


The best time to visit:

The best time to visit this location is during the summer months and most often in July where the swells are very much friendly for beginner surfers.

For more details - www.bayoflife.com 

4. Kallialay Surf School, Pondicherry

Kallialay Surf school is one of the first schools located on the east coast of India. Placed 5 km northwards of Pondicherry. Started in 2009 with two Spanish brothers Juan and Samai Reboul. This Academy provides courses right from beginners to professionals as this brother being passionate and professional surfers they offer the best of experience to the guests.


The best time to visit:

The best months to surf in Pondicherry are in March-May and October - November. Where the swells are very friendly to the beginner surfing 

For more details - www.surfschoolindia.com

5. Quest Academy, Rameshwaram

Quest Adventure Sports Academy(QASA) is located near the pristine blue waters of the Palk bay & Gulf of Mannar near the historic town of Rameshwaram. They provide recreational and professional courses in almost every water sports activity. Quest academy provides courses in Kitesurfing, Windsurfing, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Standup Paddle Boarding, and Sailing.  


The best time to visit:

The best time for surfing in Rameswaram with the consistent and clean wave is during winter and most often the month of February 

For more details - www.quest-asia.com 

6. Surfwala, Arambol GOA

Surfwala is located in Arambol, North GOA. By a group of International surfers with a simple objective of creating opportunity for every individual to try and learn surfing since 2011. As there was not much of a facility to practice the sport in goa they started with getting the equipment and teaching the locals and Tourists to the state. They do select the instructors by their skill and passion for the sport. They do have several options to choose from, right from a private lesson to a group lesson, and they do also provide equipment on rental. 


The best time to visit:

As Goa is the best surfing spot for beginners with mellow swells for getting comfortable with the waves, the best time to visit is from October to April. 

For more details - www.surfwala.com


7. Banana Surf - GOA

The banana surf school is based in Morjim, Goa. They do provide classes for beginners to professionals with the best equipment from November till April months of the year, especially for beginners they do have 20 minutes of theory session on the beach before the actual water experience. They have trained over 6000 students with their head coach and instructors which is definitely worth your trust in the sea.


The best time to visit:

If you wish to have an amazing surf experience in Goa it is always recommended to visit in November till April.

For more details - www.goasurf.com 

8. Shaka Surf club, Udupi Karnataka

Shaka surf club is located in the beautiful fishing village of Kodi Bengre! It is a thin strip of landmass surrounded by water on both sides! The Suvarna river on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Two youngsters Tushar and Ishita decided to start a surf school with the motto of promoting surfing culture in India and educating them about the importance of the ocean and dispelling fears of the ocean that are deeply rooted in Indian society. They have a team of instructors who are certified in First aid and CPR by the American Red Cross Society & ISA Certified Surf Instructors.


The best time to visit:

The waves In Udupi are non-intimidating, the beach has no reef or rocks and you can also spot plenty of dolphins while surfing! For advanced-level surfers, the best time for surfing in India is pre and post-monsoon season.

For more details - www.theshakasurfclub.com 

9. Mumu Surf Club, Mahabalipuram, Chennai

Mumu Surf Club is located in Mahabalipuram 50 KM away from Chennai, Raised by a fishing family in Mamallapuram, They are always connected with the ocean. Besides the pure passion for surfing, Mumu is a qualified ISA Instructor with a Surf Rescue License, PADI Divemaster, and Rescue Scuba Diver.

We offer a variety of different lessons and packages for 1 or more people from beginner to advanced. They do also rent the boards on a day and hourly basis

The best time to visit:

If you wish to have an amazing surf experience in Mahabalipuram it is always recommended to visit it during Summer and most often the month of July.

For more details - www.mumusurfindia.com 

10. Mantra Surf School, Mangalore

Founded by Jack Hebner in the early-2000s, Mantra is India's first surf school and doubles up as an ashram with a bunch of experienced instructors, popularly known as the Surfing Swamis. The ashram makes for a perfect long-weekend getaway, where Surfing is the core activity but is interspersed with an array of other experiences, leaving you physically and mentally enriched.

While the surf sessions will take up most of your morning (read 3-4 hours), afternoons at the ashram are for siestas and recovery, followed by a bunch of activities you can choose from- kayaking and stand up paddling across the picturesque Mangalorean backwaters, yoga sessions with a certified instructor and many more


The best time to visit:

The best time to visit Mangalore for surfing is pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season with big surf. The conditions are ideal for learners throughout the year, except during peak monsoon season.

For more details - www.surfingindia.net 

11. Kadal Surf School - Mangalore

KADAL is a center for Stand Up Paddling, SUP Yoga, SUP Surfing & Surfing. Welcome to SUP - SURF - YOGA India. We are the first to establish SUP camps on the west coast of India at Malpe, a beach town of Udupi, Karnataka. Kadal is run by Tanvi Jagadish and Rohan R Suvarna, to spread the SUP, SURF stoke around the region, teach more locals and visitors SUP & Surf and encourage more take up the ocean sports. Kadal means Ocean/ Sea in our mother tongue Tulu and also means the same in other Dravidian languages. Kadal is located at beautiful Malpe Beach, Udupi, Karnataka.


The best time to visit:

The best time to visit Mangalore for surfing is pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season with big surf. The conditions are ideal for learners throughout the year, except during peak monsoon season

For more details - www.supsurfindia.com

12. Mumbai Surf club, Mumbai

Started by Suyash Rawat, a 32-year-old emergency medical practitioner, and trainer Krishna Lamani, this club is teaching Mumbaikars the art of surfing. At Rajodi beach, there's a kilometer-long stretch of gray sand and that's where the training happens. And, it is safer for beginners. 


They will teach you to surf, even have lessons on Stand Up Paddleboarding, rent out surfboards, teach you skateboarding, embark on surf trips, camping, and BBQ trips. They even have a cafe at the beach that whips up delectable fare after a long day of training!  So if you are keen on learning, they are keen on teaching you.


The best time to visit:

A good time to head to the east coast is between June and August. Talk to the surf schools you plan to visit before you head out, as they'll be able to provide the best advice.

For more details - www.mumbai-surf-club-and-school.business.site 

13. Kovalam surf club, Kerala

The Kovalam Surf Club is located in Kovalam, Kerala, India, and was founded in 2005 as a part of the bigger NGO. They started with 3 old boards and 5 to 10 kids, eager to become good surfers. Today, the Kovalam Surf Club has around 40 members and is a registered sports club.

They do provide classes for all levels right from Beginners to professionals and they do also rent the boards.


The best time to visit:

The best time to visit is in December, January & February coincide with the small swell season here which is fine for beginners learning to surf.


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