There’s a first time for everything, and my first surfing experience in Puducherry was one I’ll never forget. The quaint coastal town, known for its French colonial architecture and peaceful beaches, was the perfect backdrop for my maiden voyage into the world of surfing and apparently, the only good surfing destination along the east coast.

I arrived in Pondicherry on a Wednesday evening, a day before my birthday, the salty sea breeze greeting me as I stepped off the bus. I couldn’t explore the city much on that day as it was very hot and the sun is already set. The white town was a perfect blend of the old and the new, with brightly colored colonial buildings standing side by side with modern cafes and boutiques. But I was not there for sightseeing; I was there for the waves.

The First Lesson

My first stop was Mother Ocean Surf School, a well known local surf school, where I met my instructor Shankar. Right from the first call when we spoke over phone few days earlier before my arrival to Puducherry, he has always been very friendly and nice. His team’s (Shankar and Johnson) passion for surfing was contagious, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as they explained the basics of surfing to me. I had to carry the board till the spot from their office and it was surprisingly very heavy. But somewhere I started to feel that excitement and connection with the board along the way. We started with understanding the surf board, then dry-land training, practicing the pop-up technique over and over again until it felt second nature.

The First Wave

After the dry land training, we headed to the beach, where the waves were just right for beginners. I felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness as I paddled out into the sea with my surfboard. The ocean was vast, and I felt small. It was an overwhelming experience to be on the surfing board. But as I caught my first wave, all my fears washed away. I stumbled, fell, and got back up again, each time feeling more connected with the sea. It took me at least 10 attempts before I could pop up on the board, ride the wave and reach the shore.

The Joy of Surfing

There’s a certain magic in riding a wave. It’s like dancing with the ocean, matching its rhythm and pace. Each wave is different, and each ride is unique. The thrill of catching a wave, the rush of standing up on the board, and the joy of riding the wave back to the shore is an experience that words can hardly describe. The joy of trying something new on my birthday added to my excitement and sense of achievement.

The Afterglow

By the end of the session on my first day of surfing, I sat on the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore. I was exhausted and extremely hungry, but there was a sense of satisfaction and achievement. It’s so deceptively high intensity workout that it felt I could binge on some birthday treats without any guilt. I had caught my first wave, and it was just the beginning.

My first surfing experience in Puducherry was more than just a sport or a hobby – it was a journey of self-discovery, of pushing my boundaries and stepping out of my comfort zone. It was about embracing the unknown, and in the process, finding a new passion. Puducherry, with its serene beaches and friendly locals, was the perfect place for this journey to begin. And as I left the town, I knew I would return, ready to ride the waves again.

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