Surf action returns to Kovalam

The fifth edition of the Covelong Point Surf, Yoga and Music festival is all set to begin on August 25.

The event will also be graced by the likes of cricketing icon Jonty Rhodes and Indian opening batsman Murali Vijay.

The fifth edition of the Covelong Point Surf, Yoga and Music festival is all set to begin on August 25. Being one of India's most popular surf festivals, it is spread over three days of fierce surfing competitions in multiple categories, with participants from a host of counties including France, USA, Australia, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The event – which began in 2013 – now boasts of over 140 participants, which is nearly double of the number contestants in the inaugural edition. With an increase in the number of participants, the level of competition has also improved, said Arun Vasu MD of the TT Group, which funds the Covelong Point surf school.

This year’s fest will see competitions held in the U-12, U-16, Juniors (17-22), Seniors (23-30), Masters (31+), Women and Open categories. The prize money in the Open Category is 50,000 for the winner, while the runner-up gets 25,000. In the other categories, 25,000, 15,000 and 10,000 are awarded to the first, second and third positions respectively.

Contestants to watch out for will include India's top stand-up paddlers, 12-time national champion Sekar Patchai and 17-year-old Tanvi Jagadish from Bangalore.

The event will also be graced by the likes of cricketing icon Jonty Rhodes and Indian opening batsman Murali Vijay.