18 May 2026, Mangalore, India: The 2nd annual Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol India event in Mangalore wrapped up yesterday with the crowning of new and repeat champions after two very different days of fun and adventurous grom competition at Tanneribhavi Beach.
Thankfully, after the opening day delivered challenging conditions with strong winds and rough seas, the second and final day of competition was rewarded with sunshine, virtually no wind, and fun peaky 2-foot waves for the remaining competitors, providing an exciting conclusion to the event.
Nearly 50 junior surfers from both coasts of India gathered at the Mangalore Surf Club on Tanneribhavi Beach to surf, compete, learn, and enjoy a weekend adventure at Grom Patrol India Stop 1 in Mangalore. The second stop will be held in Covelong (Chennai) this coming July, where even more groms are expected to participate as surfing continues gaining momentum as a national sport and lifestyle thanks to the support of India’s biggest surfing advocate and presenter of the Grom Patrol India events, Arun Vasu of the TT Group.
Finals action began with Som Sethi claiming victory in the Under 18 Boys Division. It was Som’s smooth and polished style, linking together a variety of strong maneuvers with speed and flow, that earned him the top spot on the podium. He was challenged by Tayin Arun, whose bigger frame and powerful approach also impressed the judges, but Tayin struggled to find the waves needed to establish the rhythm required to match Som’s highest scores.
“This is my first win at a Grom Patrol, so it feels really good,” said Som. “I competed in both the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions and made the finals in both, so I’m really happy to win the Under 18’s. My surfing felt really good today and my performance was way better than last year. I wasn’t really nervous…I felt calm and focused and just tried to find the best waves out there.
“Yesterday was pretty tricky with the conditions, but I’m glad I made it into finals day because it was so much cleaner and allowed me to show my surfing. To win this Under 18 division is really great for me.”
In the Under 18 Girls Division, 16-year-old Aadya R.A. Singh, who has only been surfing for almost two years, claimed her first competition victory by defeating last year’s winner Saanvi G Hedge.
“It was amazing and the event was so good…the best experience I’ve had so far, so it feels great to win,” said Aadya. “Yesterday was pretty difficult because the current was so strong and the waves had a lot of power, but today was so much better…calm, not much current, and much smoother. I was a bit nervous before the heat, but once I got out there and started surfing, I felt really confident.”
In the Under 16 Boys Division, last year’s Grom Patrol Mangalore champion Harish P successfully defended his title by once again winning the Under 16 final. Harish also competed in the Under 18 division, earning a respectable 3rd place finish. Though smaller in stature than some of his competitors, he impressed the judges with a wide variety of maneuvers on both his forehand and backhand surfing during the 25-minute final.
For all results and scores, please visit: https://liveheats.com/events/500921
Head Judge Samai Raboul shared his thoughts on the event and the progress he has seen since last year.
“Last year’s event had such different conditions, so this year we are really grateful that Mother Nature provided a much better and very welcome finals day,” said Raboul. “What stood out most for me was seeing a couple of kids I had never seen surf before, and they put up great performances. Now I know their names and something about them.
“Being both a Head Judge and a coach here in India, I thought I knew most of the kids already, so this was a great discovery. That’s a significant part of what the Grom Patrol series is all about…it gives kids the opportunity to participate and be noticed. It’s a local event with an international aspect, where eventually they can travel overseas to surf and compete. It’s very exciting for them, and also for me when I see how engaged and stoked they are to be surfing.”
The Mangalore Surf Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of surfing, was again proud to host the event.
“Tipi Jabrik’s Grom Patrol India is more than just a surf contest…it’s a platform for the next generation of young surfers from India to compete, grow, and eventually represent the country internationally,” said Karthik, Secretary of the Mangalore Surf Club. “We’re proud to bring an event of this level to Mangalore, and it’s amazing to see so many young surfers, families, and members of the local community come together through surfing.
“Events like this help build confidence, discipline, and a stronger surf culture in India. The dream is simple…to give young Indian surfers a genuine pathway to compete internationally and believe they belong on the world stage. Thanks to everyone who came, participated, and supported this event with us.”
The Grom Patrol India series will now move on to Stop 2 in Covelong (Chennai) this July before the season concludes with the Grom Patrol Grand Final at Kuta Beach, Bali in August, where top performers from all international stops will compete alongside Indonesia’s best young surfers in the ultimate season finale.
For more information, visit:
Asian Surf Cooperative Official Website
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