Surf’s up and Malayalis are here to catch it | Kochi News
Just when everyone thought restriction after restriction was killing all hope of getting around and having fun, the jet set show us the cool new things to try right here on the Kerala coast, literally. Beaches like Varkala have, of late, become hotspots for surfing, and everyone from Mumbai-based Malayali actor Sudev Nair to Kochi-based TV personality Ranjini Haridas is hitting the waves with a varied success, but a certain pleasure.
“More surfers and Malayali schools are coming now”
Ranjini, who recently tried surfing for the first time, is tired and battered, but very happy. “I am 100% an ocean lover and have tried all kinds of water activities from scuba diving to kayaking and jet skiing. For me, surfing was like being put in the washing machine in tumble mode. I took several hits on the board as the waves crashed. But it was so funny. I’ve only had a few lessons, so I’m already planning my next trip to improve my skills,” she says. Apparently many Malayalis are up for it. Ranjini herself tried it out because she saw a few posts on social media and she also met some famous friends, like photographer Shani Shaki, who were also taking lessons.
Akhil Vincent, who runs a surf center on Varkala beach, points out that they started 12 years ago, but in the last two years surfing has really taken off with the national and local crowd. “Where before there would have been two schools, now several more have sprung up,” he says.
Kappil Beach is a favorite with surfers
Kappil Beach — where most surfing activity takes place in the state — is amazing, Ranjini says. “It’s beautiful and quiet, with the only people around being the surfers, so it feels like you’re on a private beach,” she says. According to surf instructor Akhilesh G, who has worked in Kerala for six years, “Kappil wins on beaches like Kovalam in terms of surfing popularity because there is a longer stretch – around 15 km – where one can go surfing”. Renowned designer Diya John agrees. Apparently, she first went surfing in February 2020, before the local crowd tried it. “Kaapil Beach is so fabulous and I was really impressed with our local instructors. After posting on social media, all my friends wanted to go too. It’s also a fun activity to do with friends. Isn’t it typical that we want to travel abroad to try new things, when we have these fun activities here in our own state? ” she asks.
“Social media, working from home, adrenaline rush…there are plenty of reasons”
Akhilesh says that over the past two years since the pandemic hit, there have been people moving to the state to take advantage of their “work from home” arrangement. “As surfing usually gets done around 8 a.m., people started trying before they got down to business,” he says, adding that two years ago there were five percent Indians students, now the crowd is mostly Indian and female. “Some people come for the social media photos, but most of the time people really want to learn and sign up for a week-long package,” he says. Raeez Hyder, who runs a movie poster design studio, has been surfing since 2016, when friends in the film industry introduced him to the sport. “The whole activity takes about 50 seconds at a time, but the adrenaline rush you get during that time is inexplicable. “a different point of view. It’s something the government and the tourism department should work to promote,” he says.
surf pointers
– Surfing requires an early start, which must be at the beach at least at 8am. “We look for the safest spots and only take students there,” says Akhil, adding that the ideal surfing season is from September to April. “During the monsoon, the waves are too choppy to tempt him.”
– Although it is not important to be an expert swimmer, it helps if you are somewhat familiar with it. “It helps to reassure yourself. But once you’re in the water, you’re so busy thinking about things to do that you don’t think about your swimming skills,” says Ranjini.
– Usually it takes a person about a week to learn the skills. “Then they can get a board and practice on their own,” says Akhil.
“More surfers and Malayali schools are coming now”
Ranjini, who recently tried surfing for the first time, is tired and battered, but very happy. “I am 100% an ocean lover and have tried all kinds of water activities from scuba diving to kayaking and jet skiing. For me, surfing was like being put in the washing machine in tumble mode. I took several hits on the board as the waves crashed. But it was so funny. I’ve only had a few lessons, so I’m already planning my next trip to improve my skills,” she says. Apparently many Malayalis are up for it. Ranjini herself tried it out because she saw a few posts on social media and she also met some famous friends, like photographer Shani Shaki, who were also taking lessons.
Akhil Vincent, who runs a surf center on Varkala beach, points out that they started 12 years ago, but in the last two years surfing has really taken off with the national and local crowd. “Where before there would have been two schools, now several more have sprung up,” he says.
Kappil Beach is a favorite with surfers
Kappil Beach — where most surfing activity takes place in the state — is amazing, Ranjini says. “It’s beautiful and quiet, with the only people around being the surfers, so it feels like you’re on a private beach,” she says. According to surf instructor Akhilesh G, who has worked in Kerala for six years, “Kappil wins on beaches like Kovalam in terms of surfing popularity because there is a longer stretch – around 15 km – where one can go surfing”. Renowned designer Diya John agrees. Apparently, she first went surfing in February 2020, before the local crowd tried it. “Kaapil Beach is so fabulous and I was really impressed with our local instructors. After posting on social media, all my friends wanted to go too. It’s also a fun activity to do with friends. Isn’t it typical that we want to travel abroad to try new things, when we have these fun activities here in our own state? ” she asks.
“Social media, working from home, adrenaline rush…there are plenty of reasons”
Akhilesh says that over the past two years since the pandemic hit, there have been people moving to the state to take advantage of their “work from home” arrangement. “As surfing usually gets done around 8 a.m., people started trying before they got down to business,” he says, adding that two years ago there were five percent Indians students, now the crowd is mostly Indian and female. “Some people come for the social media photos, but most of the time people really want to learn and sign up for a week-long package,” he says. Raeez Hyder, who runs a movie poster design studio, has been surfing since 2016, when friends in the film industry introduced him to the sport. “The whole activity takes about 50 seconds at a time, but the adrenaline rush you get during that time is inexplicable. “a different point of view. It’s something the government and the tourism department should work to promote,” he says.
surf pointers
– Surfing requires an early start, which must be at the beach at least at 8am. “We look for the safest spots and only take students there,” says Akhil, adding that the ideal surfing season is from September to April. “During the monsoon, the waves are too choppy to tempt him.”
– Although it is not important to be an expert swimmer, it helps if you are somewhat familiar with it. “It helps to reassure yourself. But once you’re in the water, you’re so busy thinking about things to do that you don’t think about your swimming skills,” says Ranjini.
– Usually it takes a person about a week to learn the skills. “Then they can get a board and practice on their own,” says Akhil.