The sea has a calling of its own and very
few people can hear it over the roar of the waves. Edy Rodrigues, a national
swimmer, is one of those few who not only heard it but decided to ride it out
with all his heart.
After completing his diploma in computer
science and working as a graphic designer, Edy decided to take surfing the Goan
waves more seriously. “I love the adrenaline rush of adventure sports. I was
the second youngest swimmer to cross the river Mandovi. The thrill of surfing
started at a picnic with a swimming group from Campal when I was a kid. Someone
in the group had brought a surfboard and I tried it out for the first time. I
rode a wave and I could only sleep on the board but it was fun,” says Edy.
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He found it difficult to get a surfboard
in Goa and the ones available online were too expensive for his budget.
Recently, he heard about Surfwala, an International Surf Project in Arambol. “I
was surprised to find out that there was surfing in Goa. I met Anton Hagen, a
Russian who runs the surf school and he gave me my first lesson,” says Edy who
recalls being the first Goan to ever approach them for a lesson. “They were so
happy that they didn’t charge me and have never charged me since. Now, I will
be joining them by instructing surfing for newcomers,” adds Edy.
Speaking about the surfing safe zones in
Goa, Edy says, “Mandrem where the surf school is right now, is a good place as
there are no rocks and the waves are not too big. Ashvem beach is also ideal.
There is a proper venue analysis that is carried out before any lesson is given
to determine aspects like safe zone, currents, wind, anything that might affect
the lesson. All lessons are given in waist deep water on broken waves. Rocks
don’t make a difference. In fact, some of the best points in the world for
surfing are filled with rocks or reefs. There are many places in Goa as it has
a vast coastline but you can rent surfboards only in Arambol, Mandrem and Ashvem.”
“The styles involve goofy and regular,
the way one stands on the board, left leg in front or right leg. ‘My future
plans include getting more locals involved because surfing will be an Olympics sport.
I want to start a Goa Surfing Association as Goa is the best and safest place
to learn, he adds.
Edy has attended the India Surf Festival
which was held in Orissa in February and volunteered for a surf programme in
Kerala for orphan girls, titled, My Name is Uncle, organised by Indo Jax, a
surf school from America. He has also surfed at Puri beach in Orissa, Varkala and
Edawa in Kerala and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.
Box
The first ever International Surfing
Association (ISA) Level 1 Surf Instructor qualification course combined with
safety and rescue training and practical instructing was held at Mahabalipuram in
a five-day intensive professional workshop. The ISA is the International
Governing Body of the sport of surfing throughout the world and is the
authority for stipulating and creating the minimum international requirements
to be accredited and qualified as a Surf Instructor.
