Shore Temple Classic Brings World Surf League Back to India with Historic Junior Debut

The Shore Temple Classic brings the World Surf League back to India from August 12–16, featuring QS 2000 and India’s first Pro Junior competition in Mahabalipuram.

Shore Temple Classic Brings World Surf League Back to India with Historic Junior Debut

The World Surf League is returning to India for the Shore Temple Classic, a five-day QS 2000 and Pro Junior competition at Mahabalipuram Beach in Tamil Nadu. More than 100 surfers from 11 nations will compete from August 12–16, combining elite regional competition with a landmark opportunity for India’s next generation of athletes.

Key takeaways

  • The event marks the WSL’s return to India after a three-year gap.
  • Mahabalipuram is hosting India’s first WSL Pro Junior competition.
  • More than 100 surfers are competing across QS and junior divisions.
  • Japanese defending champions Sara Wakita and Tenshi Iwami are back.
  • The event could strengthen India’s pathway toward future international competitions.

Mahabalipuram returns to the international calendar

The Shore Temple Classic is the second WSL event staged in India and brings the QS 2000 back to Mahabalipuram after its previous appearance three years ago. Competition is taking place on the long right-hand waves beside the eighth-century Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Tamil Nadu’s most recognisable landmarks.

The opening day featured clean three- to four-foot conditions, with the first rounds of the men’s and women’s QS 2000 and the men’s Pro Junior already under way. The schedule remains subject to wave and ocean conditions.

Strong Asian field meets India’s best

Surfers from countries including Australia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and the United States are taking part. Italy and the United Kingdom were also initially represented but later withdrew because of unforeseen circumstances.

Japan’s Sara Wakita, the defending women’s winner, returns after reaching the final of the Siheung Korea Open QS 6000 earlier in the season. Fellow defending champion Tenshi Iwami and women’s runner-up Shino Matsuda are also in the field. Reigning Asia Junior Champion Ikko Watanabe arrives as the current rankings leader.

India’s challenge is led by Kishore Kumar, Kamali Moorthy, Sivaraj Babu and Sugar Shanthi. Kumar, now 18, has gained international experience since making his WSL debut as a 15-year-old in 2023 and enters the event after reaching the quarterfinals of the Phillip Island Pro Junior.

A new pathway for young surfers

The introduction of the Pro Junior is the event’s most significant development for Indian surfing. Young competitors can now earn ranking points and gain experience in an official WSL junior competition without having to travel overseas.

The event includes four divisions:

  • Men’s QS 2000: 64 surfers
  • Women’s QS 2000: 32 surfers
  • Men’s Pro Junior: 32 surfers
  • Women’s Pro Junior: 24 surfers

The QS divisions offer Asia Region ranking points that can help surfers progress toward the Challenger Series and, ultimately, the Championship Tour. For juniors, the competition provides an early step into the same international structure.

India’s wider surfing ambitions

Indian officials and surfing administrators view the Shore Temple Classic as part of a longer-term development plan. Hosting international events at home reduces travel costs for local athletes while exposing them to higher standards of competition and creating opportunities to earn valuable rankings.

Mahabalipuram’s relatively consistent waves have helped establish it as a dependable venue. Officials have also indicated that another WSL event in the Andaman Islands is being explored, potentially expanding India’s presence on the global surfing calendar.

The competition follows India’s strong showing at the 2025 Asian Surfing Championships, where Ramesh Budihal won the country’s first individual medal at the continental event. Tamil Nadu authorities have pledged continued support for surfing infrastructure, with the broader goal of developing athletes capable of competing for international and Olympic success.

Sources