Surfer Tanvi Jagadish wins prestigious internaional award

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 18, 2017: Kudla’s own surfer,  Tanvi Jagadish, a well-known female stand up paddler (SUP), has won the international award, the ’Grom of the Year’.

This recognition is given by SUP Connect, an organisation based in San Diego, which brings together stand-up paddle boarders around the world. She will receive award in October in the US .

With this, the 17-year-old promising surfer Tanvi Jagadish, has become the first Indian standup paddler to win an international award, putting Mangaluru, which is emerging surfing hub, on global map.

"I am surely  very happy to bag this award and this has given a boost of hope for girls to take up surfing as sporting activity to which there is always opposition from parents and society," Tanvi brightly said. 

Several stand up paddlers from across the world were shortlisted for the award. Winners were declared online. "Usually Indians don’t get votes but in my case surprisingly it was different. The votes for me have been generous," said Tanvi.

Tanvi was introduced to water sports at a very early age by her grandfather and while mother told her that it is impossible for her to go further as she felt it requires more stamina. "It’s not easy to pursue this sport as one needs lot of money to spend on training and equipment. I helped myself and other girls source funds through crowdfunding. Society mocked me saying it’s not girls’ sport but I was clear that ocean is for everybody," she said.

She is the winner of national titles in both surf and SUP in India. North Carolina paddler April Zilg, who met Tanvi also helped to pursue her dream. Tanvi hogged limelight in international scene when she attended ISA World Games in Fiji too.