: Time and again surfers from across the world have termed the waters of Vizag coast a surfer’s delight. There is something inviting about the clear waters of the coast that draws them. Jonty Rhodes, fielding coach of Mumbai Indians and Paddy Upton, head coach of Delhi Daredevils will vouch for that.
After all, they along with other cricketers of IPL teams have been hitting the coast of Rushikonda during their free time for a relaxing session of surfing. Saturday saw a team of cricketers from Delhi Daredevils descend on the Rushikonda beach to experience the thrill of riding the waves for a good three-hour-long session and interact with members of Waveriders Surf School (WSS).
Upton has been very excited about his surfing experiences in Vizag and brought his team mates to come down to surf. “There are five or six places in India known for surfing and Vizag is right on top of the list. It has great waves and a great beach. It is so heartening to see a small handful of people surfing with such passion here,” said Upton, who first fell in love with the coast seven years ago when he surfed for the first time here. “Surfing is a beautiful sport where you ride the power of the wave and connect with Mother Nature. It is the purest form of meditation and ecstasy. If international and Indian cricketers come here and get completely floored by the beauty of Vizag waters, I can promise you it will be great for you guys as well. Just give it a try,” he added.
He applauded the efforts of passionate surfers like Melville Smithe of WSS for helping to create a culture of surfing here. Remembering his first experience he said: “One of the first Indian surfers I ever met who was this little boy in Rushikonda who gave a big smile to me and we caught a wave together. It warmed my heart to see that smile.”
Awesome: Sam Billings
For England’s Sam Billings, batsman of Delhi Daredevils, it was his first experience of riding a wave. “This is my first surfing experience and it was awesome. Back home in England, the waters are far too cold. When we go back, we will be bragging about our surfing experience here,” he said.
Delhi Daredevil’s Karun Nair, who accompanied his team mates on Saturday for surfing termed the experience as “incredible”. “I had missed the chance to surf last year and this time I wanted to experience the thrill of surfing in Vizag. I hope it keeps growing in Vizag and a lot more people keep coming from all over the world and the country to experience surfing here,” said the young cricketer.
His team buddy Mayank Agarwal also tried his hands at kayaking along with surfing.
“I have had experiences in these three hours that I will cherish for the rest of my life. For sure I can tell you that I will be coming back here,” said Agarwal.
Earlier, team members of Rising Pune Supergiants — Adam Zampa and Peter Handscomb and Albie Morkel — enjoyed riding the waves on a bright sunny day.
