Little Andaman became the centre of attention for India’s top surfing and stand-up paddling athletes as they gathered for the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026, the national Surfing & Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) championship. Organised by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) and supported by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism, the four-day event began on April 9 at Butler Bay and included close to 100 participants.
This championship marks the official start of India’s surfing season during a landmark year, as the country is set to make its debut in surfing at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. India’s qualification for the Asian Games was secured through strong performances at the recent Asian Surfing Championships, making domestic events like the Little Andaman Pro essential for athlete preparation and momentum building ahead of international competition. Surfing in India has grown steadily over recent years, with athletes achieving notable results at Asian championships and increasing the sport’s popularity among coastal populations.
Tamil Nadu surfers dominated the inaugural Little Andaman Pro 2026, with Sivaraj Babu and Kamali Moorthy emerging as champions in the Men’s and Women’s Open Surfing categories, respectively, at the first-ever national surfing and stand-up paddling championship. Beyond competition, the Little Andaman Pro 2026 highlights the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as an important hub for surfing and as an amazing superyacht destination. At a recent Captains Meeting, held at the Yacht Haven Marina in Phuket, Mr. R. Rathnam of Asia Pacific Superyachts Andaman Islands & India shared important and positive changes in regulations and visas as the Andaman Islands transforms into a high-end tourism destination.
The Andaman Islands pristine waters, coral reefs and deserted islands offer world-class cruising and exploration as well as consistent swell patterns for fantastic surfing conditions. By hosting the first national championship in the region, Andaman Tourism is promoting the sport and positioning the islands as a premier destination for adventure tourism in surfing and stunning yacht cruising and exploration.
Photo credit: SFI