Mangaluru: An initiative aimed at empowering underprivileged children through surfing has been launched at Panambur Beach recently. The Wave Makers pilot project, led by the Surfing Swami Foundation with support from surfing schools across Mangaluru and Udupi, is open to students from class 5 up to first-year graduation.Adithya Narayanan, principal consultant, Surfing Swami Foundation, said that the foundation is providing training, equipment and nutritional support, with a long-term vision of building a strong surfing community along Karnataka’s coast. “The students need to have good school attendance and a genuine interest in the sport to be part of the eight-year training programme,” he said. The initiative primarily targets children from coastal communities, many of whom come from families of daily wage earners. The programme offers multiple pathways for children, including becoming an athlete, lifeguard, surf instructor, engaging in ocean conservation projects, working with the foundation, or pursuing higher education, along with plans to introduce English language and soft skills training. Successful participants will be certified as surf instructors and lifeguards, opening up new career opportunities. Adithya said at present 28 students are part of the pilot, which includes 20 from Panambur, six from Mulki and two from Kodi Bengre in Udupi, including two girls. The youngest participant is just five years old. “We want more girls to be part of the initiative. Students will also get opportunities to take part in events and travel to beaches across Karnataka and Kerala,” he said He observed that while Mulki is often referred to as India’s surfing capital, the foundation aims to encourage more local youth to take up the sport professionally. Scholarships for higher education through the foundation are also being planned for deserving candidates. “With baseline surveys already completed, the foundation is working on signing MoUs with the education department and local panchayats, and are also talking to parents on the project. The aim is to expand the programme to reach around 150 students in its first phase,” added Adithya.
