Stand Up Paddle India @livelovesup
Kerela, India
Kerala is a short 3.5 hour flight form Abu Dhabi and when we found out (from April at Vanilla Gorilla Paddle Surf) that there was an upcoming Surf comp (and SUP too) coming up at Kovalam Beach, we thought what a great chance to check out India's first official surfing contest , the "Spice Coast Open", meet the local surfers (and SUP'ers) and paddle in a new country! Oh of course and spread Live Love SUP! 
Only 1/2 of Live Love SUP went on this trip, but with a friend and super SUPporter to take Nick's place, we knew it was going to be a fun weekend away. Armed with a surf SUP and a 12'6 Naish One inflatable we were ready for some waves and some flatwater cruising in India. 
India has a huge coast, so of course there are waves, but you never really think India for your surfing holiday! Upon arrival, we confirmed there were not only waves in Kovalam, there were even better places to surf (secret ones too) up the coast and all around India. This was proven to be true by the almost 100 surfers that showed up for the contest that had traveled day and night by bus, train, van to make it to the competition. This was a big thing. Even cricket hero - the world over - Jonty Rhodes was the event's ambassador and opened the comp. Over the weekend we saw locals ripping it up on head high waves all out there proving their best. They even had a SUP race and SUP surf exhibition and despite messy conditions saw some talented surfers and expat April Zilg from Wilmington, NC who has been promoting SUP in India for the past year showing the guys how it's done! At the awards ceremony, Live Love SUP was stoked to provide some gear to the winners of the SUP race and surf comp as well.
