Surf The Southern Coast: Covelong Point Surf and Music Festival
Surfing the Southern coast! TT Logistics and EarthSync present The Covelong Point Surf and Music Festival, in association with the Surfing Federation of India and The Times of India. Three days of surf, song, sand and stars, with celebrities like Jonty Rhodes and Milind Soman supporting the cause.
As India’s first surfing village, the district of Covelong (Chennai) has fast become a mecca for surfers from all around the world. The village has produced over 40 talented surfers within a short span of time, and is developing a unique surf culture that continues to flourish amidst the colourful splendour of coastal South India. The festival runs over three days – September 12th – 14th – and will feature a national level surf contest with surfers from all around India, reputed surfers from the Maldives, and from all around the world, competing in various categories – Groms (under 16), Juniors (17 – 22), Seniors (23 – 28), Masters (over 28), Women, (all ages), and the Open Category (Foreigners). Approximately 150 contestants are expected for the competition. The entire festival is recognised and supported by the International Surfing Association, and ISA judges this year will include Made Sadiarta and Wayan Suandhi – renowned surfers from Bali, Indonesia.
The ultimate aim of the festival is to use surfing as a catalyst for rehabilitation and community development in Covelong, and also as a means to spread awareness on the issues faced by the village. The festival also encourages economic growth in the village community by attracting tourism and business opportunities for local vendors.
EarthSync has filmed a documentary called Covelong Point on fisherman turned surfer – Murthy Megavan. The film documents the obstacles that Murthy eventually overcomes in order to realise his dream of forming his very own surf school in his village – a dream which now stands proudly as the Covelong Point Social Surf School.
The festival this year has partnered with the Surfing Federation of India and The Times of India, with hospitality partners Taj Vivanta and The Park Chennai, and online media partner The Outdoor Journal – India’s only extreme sports publication. Sponsors and other partners include TT Logistics & Cargo (TTL), MRF, Indo National Ltd (NIPPO), LMW, Radiance Realty, MIOT Hospitals, Eva Deo, Skore Condoms, adventure partner Woodland, Boards for Billions, SAE, Parry Agro, Sundaram Finance, Lanson Toyota, City Union Bank Ltd., Chennai Live 104.8 FM, Kingfisher, Dusk To Dawn, Rip Curl, Wild Water, TTK, Clementine Studio, and IndiEarth.
EarthSync is also organising a three day world music festival with artists from around India and around the globe performing, from a diverse variety of genres. The festival kicks off on the morning of September 12th with a run organised by Neville Bilimoria, with Milind Soman – who will then inaugurate the entire festival with Sylendra Babu – Additional Director General of Police of the Coastal Security Group.
For more information, visit www.covelongpoint.com:
Highlights:
– September 8th, 9th, 10th: Australian based NGO Boards for Billions will be conducting workshops on Board Shaping, Surf Tourism, Business Skills, Recycling, Beach Care, and a Filming/Editing workshop – all are workshops that are open to the public.
– September 9th, 10th: Beach clean ups at Covelong beach to raise awareness on beach sanitation in the village.
– September 11th: MIOT Hospital will conduct free health check ups for the children of the village.
– September 12th: Celebrity run organised by runner Neville Bilimoria starting at 5:30am with Milind Soman to kick start the event. Milind Soman and Sylendra Babu – Additional Director General of Police of the Coastal Security Group.
– TTK Hospital will conduct educational camps on drug and alcohol abuse and awareness.
You can also visit the Facebook Event page here
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply