Tanvi Jadagish — Girl who rides with waves!

It was a Sunday Morning, my husband, a friend and I were out for breakfast. In Madras, there are eateries which offer you a great view of the Bay, sitting there and sipping on my lemon soda was the part of the morning I look forward to. This time however, I kept getting distracted by this pink dot in the sea. It was moving at such speed and kept going up and down with the waves. This dot not just fascinated to me, but the other two at my table were hooked on it . As the dot kept coming closer and closer, it took shape into one strong and fierce and smiling teenager.
My heart skipped a beat, I was thinking if this girl has the power to keep you focused on herself while she was at the sea, she has to be someone I need to talk to. So, as usual without any courtesy ( I am used to jumping in front of people I find interesting and asking them about their day and life) I walked up to her and introduced myself.
With a beaming smile that put you to easy she said “ Hi, I am Tanvi.”I asked her if surfing was her hobby and she said “ no, I am a professional surfer and India’s top female stand-up paddle surfer.” I was in presence of everyday extraordinary woman and nothing brings me more joy than that.
I quickly grabbed the opportunity to ask her, if I can interview her and write about it on my Medium page and she said yes!
Tanvi represented India twice in 2017 and won the 3rd place at SUP surf pro events under 17 category. She has too many accolades under her paddle is surfing towards her mission everyday.
Here is the interview…

Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.
Hi I am Tanvi Jagadish, I am 18 years and I am first female Stand Up Paddle racer and SUP Surfer.
I started surfing when I was 10 years old. My grandfather took me to surf ashram ( Mantra Surf Club ). I the only child for my parents and they have really brought me up with so much of love and care. I was allowed to run wild on the beach, but never to go deep into the ocean. However,I always loved ocean since a kid . The beauty of the ocean fascinated the water child in me. I loved the way the ocean embraced me, with love and laughter and that pulled me to her constantly.
What made you take up surfing?
I don’t even know how to explain that, I always loved, it was my home ground. As a child I had problems with breathing and wheezing, I was advised not to get into water. It will be hard to believe but ocean was my cure! no antibiotics or any other medications worked wonders like the ocean did. The first wave I caught in life is still fresh in my memory and I can happily say surfing is the best decision I have done in my life.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
The problems I have faced in my life today and the way I have fought with it. The energy my brothers at Mantra Surf Club have instilled in me, the self motivation and the will power is what got me to where I am standing today. I believe that we girls always have special powers, the power that no one can break or take it away from us, we are stronger than we think we are. I just think about the opportunities which god has given to me and that kicks me in to train harder.

What is your advice for young women who want to take up sports as a profession?
Chase your dreams, when you get an opportunity use it till the last drop. Keep training hard and things will fall into place. When you feel like things are not going — All you need to do is Take deep breath and say out loud “I am not going to give up.” and remember, if there are bad days, there will be good days to follow!
What does the govt need to do in order to instill sportsmanship in children?
Spread awareness about this new sport. India has beautiful 7500km coastal line. India does have great talents in all the fields, so support sport of this kind.Government scholarship which will help children take up sport without hesitation, as they know they have support.
That’s it for now folks, hope you enjoyed reading the article and do leave a message for Tanvi here and lets encourage more children to take up sports!
