Mysuru: National and International award winning Surfer and Stand-up Paddler Tanvi Jagadish from Mangaluru interacted with children of ‘Chinnara Mela’ at Rangayana here yesterday.

“My grandfather took me to Surfing sports in Mulki when I was just 9 and till 12 years I practiced Surfing every summer. I was called a Kid Surf Instructor and my parents were apprehensive over my health. I worked hard and I cannot forget the moment of pride when I was cheered at Fiji islands near Australia,” recalled Tanvi.

Speaking on the sport, Tanvi opined that it is dangerous to Surf in monsoon and October to May is a good season for it. She regretted that Surfing sport is yet to pick up in India unlike in western countries where a lot of women too participate. She said that sea too is holy and should be preserved free from plastic and other wastes.

The children posed several questions on Surfing and Tanvi coolly replied in a simple language.

A girl Lasya asked Tanvi to recall any bad moment while Surfing. Tanvi recalled the bad day in Chennai when tsunami from Bay of Bengal hit the shores when she was practicing Surfing. “A huge wave threw me down and water filled my lungs and I suffered a lot before recovering,” Tanvi recalled the nightmarish experience.

Rangayana Director Bhagirathi Bai Kadam and others were present during the interaction.