Mangaluru : Mangaluru will host the first edition of the ‘India Open of Surfing’ at Panambur beach from May 29 to 31.

Rammohan Paranjape, Vice-President of the Surfing Federation of India, said that the event is being jointly organised by the Surfing Federation of India, Karnataka Tourism Department, Panambur Beach Tourism Project, and the Mulki-based Mantra Surf Club.

There will be competition stand-up paddle race, and nearly 100 participants from across India are likely to participate in the three-day national surfing championship.

Apart from domestic participants, surfers from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Australia and France are likely to participate, Paranjape said.

‘India Open of Surfing’ will be judged by international judges, and officials from the International Surfing Association will oversee the event.

Bollywood actor, Suniel Shetty, who has been an ardent supporter of surfing, is the brand ambassador of the event, he said.

There will be demonstrations on kite-board surfing and wind surfing during the three days.

Yatish Baikampady, Chief Executive Officer of Panambur Beach Tourism Project, said that the intention of organising the event is to promote Karnataka beaches as adventure destinations suitable for surfing and various other water adventure sports.