Not many people know this but you can surf at the beach in Madras. Well, not technically Madras, but Kovalam. On proper surf boards with instructors to guide you and tell you about proper technique. Known as the Covelong Point Surfing School, its run by a vibrant new, young group of surfers with a strong connection to the local community at Kovalam.
Right now they just have a shade net propped up on a few poles but a new cafe with toilets and showers and a few rooms is getting built.
Many of my friends have made it a regular sunday outing and I finally went along the last couple of weeks. They surfed, I sketched.
Newcomers are given a tutorial and then made to go through all the motions on the board on land before venturing out. The location has a nice cove (hence the name) where the undertow we have along the rest of the coast is not as strong.
Its just the beginning of April and its blistering hot but there are dozens of surfers from various countries. Some staying at nearby hotels. There are regulars from the city and lots of locals. Young boys from the fishing community are the real pros. Its a real treat to just sit and watch them ride the waves.
Who'd have thought that the Madras nee' Tamil Nadu I grew up in would become the surfing mecca!
ReplyDeleteHow times have changed!
Nice sketches, they have a very fluid quality without looking rushed.
I was witnessing while you were sketching these... real rapid sketching.... (Y)
ReplyDeleteWonderfully vibrant sketches. Must make it after Agni Nakshatram is over ..too hot for me.
ReplyDeleteIf the cafe is ready.... that's even more inviting.