~Walk on Water (WoW)~
India Surf Festival 2014 ~once you are in, you are in~
Elena, on the cover image -teaching my daughter & my friends’ daughter their first SUP lesson, is well-read, loyal, honest, adventurous and quite simply, one of the best surfers I’ve ever seen. She is a truly a beautiful human being in every sense of the word. Much like the male surfers around her, Elena grew up playing the surfing contest game — winning regularly and turning heads wherever she paddled out. Knowing, a surf “career” isn’t always a path to success.
Ask any wave rider and he/she will describe some deep connections with the water, the waves and the power of sea.
Yet its a connection with something far beyond ourselves. The vast scope of the ocean is humbling.
India Surf Festival — 3rd Edition
Day 3, Sunday, 16th February, 2014
Time: 11.30 AM
Location: Lotus Eco Village, Ramchandi Beach, Konark, Odisha, India;
Latitude: 19.857643; Longitude: 86.07493;
Nearest Railway Station: Puri – 24 km; Airport: Bhubaneswar – 69 km
‘Walk on Water’ Workshop — Open 2 all n free
Women can be incredibly sexy and be amazing athletes; they are not mutually-exclusive qualities.
Seasoned surfers are always traversing the world’s least-traveled locales in search of perfect waves – sometimes alone, but almost always with a few cameras to document the adventure.
Credit: Devasis Sarangi ( email devasissarangi@gmail.com for high resolution pictures — which are available on request)
They just did not come to surf, they came to play with the ocean.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
When you are surfing, you’re interacting with nature in one of the most dynamic and vast forms.
Image Credit — Devasis Sarangi
Art was an integral part of the festival.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
They came in all shapes, styles and hues.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
There was some thing sacred about this whole place.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
Some had even set up a flea market to sell their fashion wares.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
Some were playing ball, some gossiping with their favourite drink and some just watching the surfers prepare for the competition.
Image Credit : Devasis Sarangi
Some were seen taking a ride and spending some quality family time over the weekend.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
This was not just an event for couples (some may have thought that way as it was spread over the Valentine Weekend), but family and children were an integral part of the celebration and that is what attracted me more.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
Few were catching the wind in their sails in the deep blue ocean.
Image Credit: Mahika Sarangi (My daughter)
The fun moments for me personally were the child moments which my Hungry Lens (Canon EOS Rebel T3i ) captured.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
The joy which was not only evident on my face as i clicked these moments but even this old man’s face as he rode with kids.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
My wife did not miss to capture some naughty moments, she would use to tease me later with.
But one thing was clear, Indian women love gossiping!!! even if its on a SUP board.
Image Credit: Sudha Mishra
Music were of all genres and styles but mostly inspired by nature.
It was just 2 good if i have to put it down in a short sentence.
Some couldn’t but help swing to tunes, even when they were eating and drinking.
There was tented accommodation for those who wanted to spend the night with the stars and for the less adventurous there were log houses at Lotus Eco Village, Odisha.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
Food was sumptuous too. Mostly vegetarian but for those who were the non-vegetarian type there was fish curry, indian home made style.
Seen here is a surfing yogi adapting to the indian way, of eating by hand.
Image Credit: Devasis Sarangi
India Surf Festival organizers had roped in professionals .
What seemed challenging at first to Mahika (my daughter) became quite a thrilling and joyful experience; that she took back home, singing about it every day; even today.
Indians believe that surfing is dangerous and conservative parents would not allow their kids to undertake it.
But I loved adventure and did not want my daughter to miss out this great fun.
So Mahika, my daughter, learnt to balance herself, manoeuvre & walk on water with the help of her stand up paddle (SUP) board as you see below.
Mahika said — “There were many waves. Big waves, small waves, medium waves. I overcame them all Dad. Look, I am surfing”.
My joy knew no bounds and tears of joy rolled down my cheek. Nothing more assuring for a parent than to know that his child is ready to face the challenges thrown by life, in a confident manner. Is this not what upbringing is all about?
Image Credit — Sudha Mishra
My friend, Subhransu Panda, has almost cancelled this trip due to his office engagement, but boy was he happy as he came along at the last moment with his family. He had only only thing to say — “God is at work in surfing.” Sure God is at work in the entire world of which surfing is a microcosm.
The whole experience lit up our faces (Sudha’s and mine). It was a long due family holiday to Ramchandi Beach, Konark .
Image Credit: Mahika Sarangi (my daughter)
Walking on water is not just fun its easy. Try it out at “Rangers Adventure Foundation”, Puri Konark Marine Drive Road next time you are in this part of India who provide safe SUP lessons with required safety equipment.
There is no other feeling like it. Experiencing the adrenaline rush keeps you coming back for more — maybe even to the point of religious fervor.
Image Credit: Sudha Mishra
About the Author:
Devasis Sarangi is Co-Founder of “Little Steps Pre-school”, an early childhood education and care start-up, in Bhubaneswar, India. Devasis loves to write about Bhubaneswar, the city he loves and lives in.
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