Palkbay SUP challenge 2024 receives over 120 registrations; records highest participation of all time

Palkbay SUP challenge will be held in Rameshwaram on September 28, 29.

Palkbay SUP Challenge, the National Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Championship, has set a new milestone with over 120 registrations, the highest ever participation in the event’s history. The National SUP Championship is scheduled at the picturesque Pirappanvalasi Beach in Palk Bay, Rameshwaram on 28th and 29th September.

The two day national championship will see over 120 athletes from 9 states competing in Sprint (200 meters), Technical (4 kilometers) & Distance (12 kilometers) categories, across five divisions, Men, Women, Groms (U-16), Defence and Open. The event is organised by Quest Academy under the aegis of the Surfing Federation of India and is supported by the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association, affiliated with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). 

Competitive Water sports like Surfing and Stand-Up Paddling has been growing exponentially in India and the surfers recently created history by securing two quotas for the 2026 Asian Games in Asian Surfing Championships, held in Maldives.

Reigning champions from Tamil Nadu, Sekar Patchai who won the Technical and Distance titles in Men’s category and Monica Pugazharasu, who won both the Sprint and Distance titles will return to defend their titles. Reigning Sprint champion, M Manikandan will look to challenge Sekar for the other two titles while former national champion Tanvi Jagdish would love to win back her title from Monica.

Also Read: Harish Muthu, Kishore Kumar earn India’s first-ever Asian Games quotas in surfing

Other promising stand-up paddlers, Muthu Kutti, Ajith Govind, and Raja Pandian in the Men’s category whereas Anandi Aarthi, Yamini Kannan and Vijayalakshmi Irulappan in the Women’s category will provide stiff competition along with the new Stand-up paddlers in the circuit. Akash Pujar, Kalidas and Muthukumar will be the ones to look out for in the Groms (U-16) category.

“The sport is changing lives in coastal towns providing a career option for the youngsters from this part of the country,” says Upasna Mody, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association, who resides in the Palkbay and is actively involved in promoting SUP to the youth in coastal regions. “Accessibility to sport and championship events brings awareness to create champions as well as vocational opportunities”, she added.

International Surfing Association SUP coach Jehan Driver, who has spent over a decade training athletes in coastal communities, echoed these sentiments. “The geography of the Palk Bay is ideal for developing champions. The national and the state associations have always been upfront in providing their valuable support to encourage the development programs. The Groms (U16) from our village winning a gold & bronze in the 2023 National SUP Championship is a testament to our concept of the training programs.”

Mr. Arun Vasu, President, Surfing Federation of India President highlighted the sport’s international potential. “Surfing and Stand-Up Paddle boarding offer India a pathway to medals on the global stage, including the Olympics.” He also celebrated the recent success of India at the Asian Surfing Championship in Maldives, “We have recently secured two spots for the upcoming Asian Games thanks to the performance of our athletes at the Asian Surfing Championship in Maldives.” 

This achievement underscores the importance of events like the Palkbay SUP Challenge, which are supported annually by key partners including TT Group, Yolo Kayaks, Quench EV Chargers, and Residency Towers Rameswaram. With a record-breaking number of participants and high-caliber athletes, this year’s Palkbay SUP Challenge promises to be the most competitive and exciting edition yet.

Palkbay SUP Challenge 2024 will be live-streamed on the official website, ensuring an exciting experience for audiences worldwide.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram