Catching the waves

They rented a small place in the village and Covelong Point Social Surfing School was born. From that modest beginning, the school has moved from strength to strength. Today, the school has moved out to a spot close to the village. Vasu bought a couple of grounds and set up the surf school which also has four rooms for visitors to stay and a cafe. He explains, "We do it as a CSR initiative to show the village that all you need is a 10x10 room, a clean bathroom and clean sheets." The rooms were added to give a fillip to tourism in the village. He also asked five families in the village to start home-stays in their houses. The school employs 15 people in all from Kovalam village. "Anyone from the village can come here and learn surfing for free," says Vasu.

"They only have to do one thing in return, either clean the beach or teach someone else." Today the school has students coming from all over India. All the earnings from the school are ploughed back into Kovalam village ñ they educate 50 children and also run free health check-ups and eye camps. But what put Kovalam in the limelight is the Covelong Point Classic Surf and Music Festival.

Vasu recalls, "When we started the school, we needed to give the place hype and support Murthy too." The first festival was a surfing competition. But Vasu asks, "How many people will come for just a surfing competition?" Murthy, Yotam and he hit on the idea of a festival where surfing would be the main event buttressed by music, food stalls and other activities. The first Covelong Point Classic Surf and Music Festival saw a crowd of around 2000 to 3000 people. That jumped to 8,000 in 2014 and 2015 saw a whopping 13,000 people. "We are promoting surfing as a sport. And additionally, the village also benefits," he says. "We want to make this into a surfing Mecca. This spot is unique because the waves are really perfect."  

Jonty Rhodes who is an avid surfer himself is their surfing ambassador. Vasu describes him as "an amazing personality to have around". "This year, it was even bigger," states Vasu. "For the first time in India, we hosted the Asian Surfing circuit." There were 25 international surfers, both men and women, from Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and more. There were two surfing events with the Nationals first, which had 120 entries. Twenty of the surfers were selected for the Asian Surfing Contest.

The festival was buzzing with activity. Professional bands played an assortment of music genres. There was a second stage where anyone could register and come and perform, it attracted 40 bands from across the country. Apart from that there was a kayak race, stand up paddle race, volleyball tournament, catamaran race for the villagers and even a yogashaala offering yoga classes through the day.

Arun Vasu has succeeded in putting India on the surfing map.  As we wind up, he wistfully talks about his love for surfing. "If you do it once, you are hooked for life. The first time on the board is such an adrenaline rush! It's a clean and healthy sport. Everyone is equal in the water; all you are doing is trying to catch the next wave." Well, looks like India is catching on to the waves thanks to him!