Surfing and kite surfing in India

Netrat

Hello,

What are the best places to practice surfing and kite-surfing in India?

What are the best places to start your own surf station in India?

I am particulary interested in Goa, but not sure if it has any surfing opportunities. There seems to be quite a lot of kite surfing spots in Goa however. Is it true?

I dream of having my own surf station in Goa :-) Are there any obstacles? Like not being allowed to set tents of the beaches, having to have work permit, great number of rival stations or general lack of customers?

I certainly would not like to make this official business. All I want is to rent boards and provide lessons for plain cash to few tourists from time to time. Are there any chances that an officials will come and request some kind of permissions and licenses?

Will I be able to practice traditional surfing in addition to kite surfing?

I'm open to consider states south to Goa such as Kerala or Karnataka (they seems to have better conditions for traditional surfing), given they have enough nightlife and tourists to provide a clientele.

In fact, I'm not even sure that India itself is the right choice, but I thought other locations like Thailand and Philippines are already overcrowded with "surfing businssmen"?

Thanks in advance.

GoanCanuck

From your post it does not sound as if you have been to Goa before.

You will have to set up a company to provide the services that you have referred to in your post. After that you will have to apply for a business visa. You will also have to get a licence from the Tourism Department in Goa to enable you to use the beach for commercial purposes.

Netrat

You are right. Moreover, I have never been to India at all.

Regarding all legal issues you've mentioned, I will certainly not able to get through them.

But since I'm not going to sell anything directly at the beach OR set any permanent constructions...

All I want is a simple shettler to keep my gear and provide protection from sun. Also, I expect most "customers" to be people I know from where I live now, and payments are most probably to occur before they even get ot India.

Does it still sound like a problem?

Finaly, I thought people in India were definitly not as extremely lawfull as, say Noric, German or American people. I mean, isn't it possible to get a personal agreement with a policeman, tax officer, restaurant owner or whoever?

You see, I don't think every fresh jucie or snack vendor on a beach has a license or pays taxes.

dzibead

Yes, it still sounds like a problem.

You're asking us to condone bribery? Please. Just stop right now.

You've never even been to India, so what you "think" is really irrelevant. Goa is very conscious right now of foreigners coming into the state and trying to do business "under the table", and in case you aren't aware, Russians are not exactly at the top of their list of "favorite nationalities" these days (didn't I see something that said you are currently in Russia?). I think you should revise your plans and think of locating this "business" elsewhere.

Netrat

I understand quite well that foreigners currently living in Goa are not really interested in more tourists arriving, but I had no idea it can go that far.

But, let legal issues alone, are there any surfers there? According to wannasurf's altas, there ARE surf & kite spots in Northen Goa. If you have tried it, what was your opinion? Comments from boarders are welcome.

dzibead

You don't understand anything "quite well." It's not the "foreigners currently living in Goa" that aren't interested in "more tourists" arriving.

India Edge

This site may be of help... http://www.globalsurfers.com/country...cfm?land=India

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GoanCanuck

If you think you can just build a shelter on the beach and keep expensive equipment without going through all the formalities then you are completely mistaken.

You will have two options,
1) Start a business and get it registered in your name. For this a lot of formalities have to be completed.

2) Set up a company in partnership with a local person. This is an easier option but you need someone whom you can trust. Many foreigners have been ripped off by locals after starting a tourism related business partnership with them.

You will definitely have to pay bribes but these bribes will be minimized by having a local person as your partner.

If you are interested in forming a partnership with a local person then I can recommend a few people since I am from Goa too.

Nick-H

Puts the whole thing in just a crazy idea department then. I think it is a waste of time discussing it.

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Netrat

Thank you, this sounds like a reasonable idea. Can I contact you on this matter would I decide that Goa is the right destination?

No offense, but any reason I should trust you in particular and not any other person?

Netrat

Also, can someone please answer my "Goa versus Kerala" question?

I mean, how do they compare surf-wise (please note that I'm more interested in kite surfing) and in terms of being friendly to foreign business (although I don't like calling it that way as my notivation is not financial)?

anjunaangel

i think you should get a fel for goa and you will learn very fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick-H

I see from elsewhere that you do have a trip coming up.

When you get back is the time to resume this!

capt_mahajan

You're right.

But come and find out.

And read the couple of life in indian jail threads that we have, just in case.

waynekitesurfer

I have been to Goa 11 times in the last 9 years, I have kitesurfed since 1999 and on each occasion since i started i have taken my kite surfing gear with me.

The best beaches for kitesurfing are -
Vagator-Quite small and Rocky.
Morjim-Large open beach at the entrance to the river, strong rip right to left, and Waves upto 6-7 feet over the sand bar, very sharp muscle beds and coral inside the riverside lagoon, dont be tempted to sail inside you will shred your feet (i did)
Little Morjim-Part of Morjim Beach-Protected at the North end by a reef-Flatter water and Little current(home of existing school)
Aswem-Large open beach with occasional rocky outcrops at each end-Fairly strong current right to left and reasonable waves.
ArambolQuite busy, same conditions as Aswem.

I have been approached many times by holiday makers wanting to learn to kitesurf whilst i have been there, and at one time i did consider setting up a school with a Goan partner, but after Taking my International Kitesurf Instructors Qualification I decided it wasn't going to be worth all the hassle, Especially as there is already an established school operating from little morjim by an INDIAN guy, and there was up till last season a school operating in Arambol by two Germans(who have since "Left" the country)

If you do go, you WILL spend a lot of time sitting on the beach waiting for the wind to Blow, it hardly ever gets above 20 mph and when it does it rarely lasts for more than a day, Most days it will be around 8-12 mph increasing just a little in the afternoons.

One more thing you should be aware of is unless you have the qualifications required to teach kitesurfing you will not be insured, Also the beaches around Goa have very strong rips and Currents and many Tourists drown every year, the waves can be quite strong with a heavy shore dump not ideal for learning

I am Going again in November for five and a half months and will have my Equipment with me, I will not be teaching, just enjoying myself.

If you do decide to go to Goa then i'm sure you will fit in well, as there is already a large community of Russians all doing their own bit of this that and the other on the side, as for making a fortune out of kitesurfing there, it aint going to happen, but i wish you well and maybe i will see you there next season.Regards Waynekitesurfer.UK