From surfing as a sporting activity, the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) wants to take it further to save lives across the Indian coasts and has announced setting up Surf Lifesaving India on the lines of Surf Lifesaving Australia.
Demonstration
The announcement was made here on Saturday during a surfing demonstration by Jamo Borthwick from the International Surfing Association, Australia.
Mr. Borthwick taught the techniques of surfing to over 30 enthusiastic surfers at Panambur beach near Mangaluru in a programme jointly organised by the SFI and the Panambur Beach Development Project.
The demonstration was followed by an interactive session. Panambur Project CEO Yatish Baikampady told The Hindu that the formal launch of Lifesaving India would be made after the monsoon.
The basic idea of forming the association is to promote surfing as a lifesaving activity along with as a sport.
Training
The association will train children along the coast in surfing, which eventually would help saving lives of those in danger of getting drowned.
Hundreds of tourists/ visitors to beaches would be at risk and lose lives frequently, he said. Children would be taught how to use the waterfront as a playground. This would also help keeping beaches clean, Mr. Yatish added.
