History-maker Sivaraj Babu helping life in TN's Mahabalipuram improve through surfing

Published at :August 29, 2023 at 8:57 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:35 PM

(Courtesy : @sivaraj_babu/instagram)

The sport has helped the changed the lifestyle of many in the fisherman community.

Surfing in India has caught up good pace in terms of development with many athletes taking up the sport. From being a hobby for visiting tourists, surfing in the past decade has witnessed many Indians take up the sport and go one step forward in excelling in it as well. Few weeks back, the first-ever World Surf League in India made its way to Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu where players from 12 countries participated in the competition.

Sivaraj Babu was one of the Indians to take part in the competition and more importantly, was seen surfing in his hometown Mahabalipuram. Khel Now got an opportunity to interact with the talented youngster.

Initial struggles of Sivaraj Babu

Having come from a poor background, Sivaraj Babu had to face several struggles — from initially surfing in a broken wood to the surfboards left behind by tourists. The journey wasn’t an easy one. “I would be roaming around the beachside in my childhood days and gradually got connected to the sea. I started my journey as a body surfer and slowly understood how to travel along with the waves.

“I used broken surfboards to start my surfing career as we did not have good boards to surf with and even if we found one, it would be half broken. In the beginning, it was very hard to start with no one to teach us, but gradually by looking at the videos I got to learn and simultaneously execute the moves.

“My parents initially didn’t know about me surfing but at one point they found out that I was into the sport. At times if the waves were good in the morning, then I would take a leave on that particular day from school to just surf. ‘I love Surfing’ and I have sacrificed many things for the sport. My parents have scolded and beaten me at times, but I did not care much because of the love I had for surfing.”

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Financial backing and support in Surfing

“My father is a fisherman, and my mother is a housewife. The money we earn from selling fishes are very minimal and we hardly save any money. When I was young, I used to often accompany my father to the sea and then go to school and then practise surfing. We go fishing everyday to make ends meet. Even now whenever I get time, I go with my father for fishing.”

The Mumu Surf School is a famous surf school in Mahabs that helps underprivileged children get into surfing.

“Mukesh sir from Mumu Surf School initially helped me with a surfboard for practice. There were times when he also did not have a surfboard and usually the training boards are shared by many who use to surf. So, with just one surfboard many people used to practice every day.

“After growing up, Mukesh sir helped me acquire a better-quality board and since then the journey has continued thereafter.

Sivaraj Babu Surfing — **Sivaraj Babu created Indian history at the Asian Surfing Championships 2023 (Courtesy: @sivaraj_babu/instagram)**

“This help was a turning point in my career. Without Mukesh sir’s help it wouldn’t have been possible for me to reach this stage. Then I did not even have money to purchase an Android phone.”

In the recently concluded Asian Surfing Championships, Sivaraj Babu reached repechage five — the highest round reached by any Indian surfer. The journey to Maldives wasn’t easy either as he had to crowdfund for his travel and other expenses.

“Till the last moment, I did not have enough funds to travel (to the Maldives) but several people got together to help me, including my friends, a Councilor, Mukesh sir, and a few beach resorts and hotels in Mahabs all came together to fund and show their support. Before the Asian Championships, I participated in the World Surfing League which was sponsored by Vasan sir from TT Group.

“With respect to studies, I was a school dropout for two years. Many then persuaded me to continue my schooling and after the successful completion, I am currently pursuing graduation from Hindustan University through a sports scholarship. My friend helped me pay half the college fees. My college sports teacher has been very helpful in supporting me with my surfing career.”

Fishing community finding solace through surfing

“Surfing has completely changed the lifestyle of several people in Mahabalipuram. People’s outlook towards us has also changed. Earlier people only saw as someone coming from a fishing background but now with surfing coming into the picture, the story is completely different as we have improved financially.”

Sivaraj Babu Mahabalipuram — **Surfing has made a massive impact in life at Mahabalipuram (Courtesy: @sivaraj_babu/instagram)**

In recent years, the sport has earned widespread popularity and garnered huge attention. “Earlier, there were several people who were addicted to smoking and drinking but after the emergence of the sport, they changed their focus completely and now their only aim is to improve in surfing.

“In my free time, I am looking to give back to the community by teaching surfing to small children who are interested. So, that they get to know more about the sport and learn techniques quickly. Sometimes when I reflect back it hits me that I wish there such facilities during my childhood. That would have helped me make quick progress.

Expansion of sport to other parts of India

Surfing is famous in Mangalore where the Indian Open was held recently. The sport has a good base in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Kerala followed by Kovalam and Mahabalipuram. Kovalam is a few kilometers away from Mahabs, and like Mahabalipuram, the sport has given people different dimensions to think about and pursue.

“The sport is getting bigger and is expanding to several parts of India like Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, Mumbai, etc. One problem in India is that the waves aren’t that strong or vibrant throughout the year and the height of the waves too aren’t big compared to other nations like Maldives and Sri Lanka.

“In the recent competition in Maldives, the waves were pretty strong, and I had a different experience surfing in those waves. To overcome this challenge, we need to travel abroad on a regular basis in order to improve our skills.”

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