Empowering Coastal Youth Through Stand Up Paddle - NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT
The JD&AV Groms Quest made its way to Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, continuing its mission to nurture young water athletes and coastal youth through Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP). The event was organized by the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation and the Arun Vasu Foundation, in association with the Surfing Federation of India (SFI)and the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TNSA).
This initiative was guided by ISA Course Presenter Jehan Driver, who led a team of International Surfing Association (ISA) certified instructors in introducing children from local fishing and coastal communities to the ocean environment through safe and structured SUP training.
Event Overview
Held over two days along the calm waters of Nagapattinam’s inner coastline, the program welcomed over 40 young participants from nearby fishing hamlets. Most of these children had never experienced a formal water sports session before.
The event began with an introduction to ocean awareness, balance drills, and board handling, followed by guided SUP paddling sessions. Children were grouped by age and confidence level, ensuring that every participant received personal attention and felt comfortable on the water.
A special focus was placed on safety, teamwork, and respect for the ocean — principles that lie at the heart of the Groms Quest philosophy.
Training Sessions and Learning Modules
The sessions covered:
Understanding your equipment – paddle, leash, and board setup
Safety and rescue basics – how to fall, remount, and help others safely
Ocean confidence and teamwork – peer encouragement and buddy paddling
Environmental awareness – keeping beaches clean and protecting marine life
Under the mentorship of ISA Instructor Dharani, Beach Lifeguard Kanan, and coaches John Sumanth, Vembarasan, and junior athlete Muthukumar, participants quickly gained confidence, transforming initial hesitation into joyful enthusiasm.
Local Participation and Government Support
The District Collector of Nagapattinam extended full support to the initiative and encouraged expressions of interest (EOIs) to establish surfing and SUP schools along the district’s coastline and backwaters. The Collector also emphasized the opportunity for local employment generation, youth training, and eco-tourism development through structured water sports programs.
The collaboration with district officials, local panchayats, and youth clubs ensured smooth logistics, safety arrangements, and active community involvement.
Broader Impact
The Nagapattinam edition adds another chapter to the Groms Quest journey — following successful editions in Cuddalore, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Chengalpattu, and Mumbai. These programs have together reached over 250 young participants in the past year, making the initiative one of India’s most active grassroots SUP development movements.
Through these programs, the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation and Arun Vasu Foundation aim to:
Develop the next generation of Indian SUP athletes
Build awareness around water safety and coastal ecology
Provide training pathways for youth from coastal communities
Create employment opportunities through adventure tourism
Looking Ahead
The next editions of Groms Quest are planned for Tuticorin, Kochi, Puri, and Kanyakumari, strengthening the network of community-based ocean programs across India’s coastline.
As Jehan Driver expressed,
“Every Groms Quest is more than an event — it’s an opportunity for a child to discover confidence and connection with the sea. What begins as play can grow into purpose.”
The Surfing Federation of India, in collaboration with local associations and tourism departments, continues to build a sustainable framework for coastal sports education in India.
Highlights from the Event
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Smiles on the start line – the Groms of Nagapattinam ready to paddle
ISA Instructor Dharani guiding the kids through their first strokes
SUP boards lined up at dawn – ready for the morning session
Team briefing and safety checks before entering the water
The District Collector addressing the participants
About the Groms Quest
Founded by Jehan Driver and Arun Vasu, the JD&AV Groms Quest is a collaborative initiative between the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, Arun Vasu Foundation, and Surfing Federation of India, dedicated to introducing young Indians to ocean sports through free, accessible community programs.
It focuses on Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), surfing, and water safety education, aiming to build the foundation for a new generation of confident, environmentally conscious, and skilled ocean athletes.
