BHUBANESWAR: High on the response to the launch of Surfing Yogis at Ramchandi on the Puri-Konark marine drive, the Rangers Adventure Foundation (RAF) has laid out plans for getting an international surfing event to the waters of Orissa as well as adding more adventure water sports to its kitty.
It has set a target to host an international surfing event next year by getting together surfers from across the globe. Under the aegis of the Surfing India Association (SIA) which has become the newest member of the International Surfing Association, and in coordination with Mangalore-based ‘Surfing Swamis’, the event could be held in the beginning of 2012.
The objective is not only to build up popularity of Surfing but also to give a boost to tourism in the State. A larger aim is to groom at least two surfers from here to take part and compete with international experts.
“January and February are the months when the sea along the Marine drive gets waves of ideal heights. If all goes well, we could see an international event go off for the first time in the country during that time,” says RAF founder Sanjay Samantray.
The adventure sports enterprise is also set to introduce waterskiing, wakeboarding and tube riding facilities along with parasailing and stunt kite soon. The foundation is in the process of procuring a high speed multi functional motorboat, the apparatus and gear for the purpose. In all eventuality, these would be launched in the post-monsoon season during the Puja time.
Meanwhile, its flagship initiative, the Surfing Yogi School got off to a blazing start on Tuesday. With the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) pitching in with support to promote recreational surfing activities, the school inaugurated by MLA Debasish Samantray has already got 150 applications. Of them 22 have been selected to participate in the training camps, spokesperson and enthusiast Dr Debabrata Das said.
The RAF in association with OTDC has offered two packages including a day-long Surf for Fun camp and more intense two days and three nights course. Along with the practical training on how to ride the waves, the participants would be made abreast of theoretical aspects as postures, surfing etiquette, breathing, etc. They would be accommodated in tents in an eco-friendly ambience under the package, Samantray said.