The entire country is awash in the excitement of the World Cup. Bangladesh’s surfing success story has been swept away by that tide. Cox’s Bazar surfers Mohammad Mannan and Fatema Akhtar have qualified for the first time to participate in the Asian Games to be held in Japan. The Games are scheduled to be held in September.
At least 70 people, including 17 women, regularly surf on the Cox’s Bazar beach. As soon as the dawn breaks, surfers go down to the Kalatali point on the beach to practice. Surfers’ feats on the crest of high waves were once seen only in foreign films. Now such scenes are being seen in Cox’s Bazar too. Tourists are fascinated by the vast blue waters and surfers riding the waves. Young surfers, balancing on the crest of the waves and running at high speed, are adding a new dimension to the beauty of the beach.
Mannan and Fatema on the world stage
Two names are currently at the center of discussion in the surfing world of Cox’s Bazar: Mohammad Mannan and Fatema Akter. These two indomitable young men and women have qualified to participate in the Asian Games surfing event to be held in Japan next September. The story of Mannan and Fatema, who grew up in a poor family in the village of Kalatali, is a great anecdote of inspiration.
When I went to Kalatoliyat on Tuesday morning, I spoke to surfer Mohammad Mannan. He said, “Since childhood, I had a dream of doing something different. Today, I have the opportunity to go to the stage of the Asian Games with my own indomitable willpower without any institutional support.”
Surfer Fatema Akhtar has also overcome many obstacles to reach this point. She says, “In the beginning, I didn’t understand what surfing was. Now, I can’t go a day without catching a big wave. It’s like surfing is in my blood.”
Two names are currently at the center of discussion in the surfing world of Cox’s Bazar: Mohammad Mannan and Fatema Akter. These two indomitable young men and women have qualified to participate in the Asian Games surfing event to be held in Japan next September. The story of Mannan and Fatema, who grew up in a poor family in the village of Kalatali, is a great anecdote of inspiration.
Rashed Alam, the coach of the two surfers and founder of the Bangladesh Boys and Girls Surfing Club, arrives at Kalatali Point every morning with the surfer team. Rashed told Prothom Alo, “Mannan and Fatema became champions in the 8th National Surfing Competition held at Cox’s Bazar Beach last April. They now need intensive training. We are fighting for this dream that they will make the country shine in the Asian Games.”
Bangladesh Surfing Association General Secretary Md. Moazzem Hossain Chowdhury said, “Financial sponsorship is our main challenge. With government support, Bangladeshi surfers are capable of winning gold on the world stage.”
Mohammad Mannan and Fatema Akhtar get a chance at the Asian Games in JapanPhoto: Prothom Alo
The best surfing grounds in the world
According to surfers, Cox’s Bazar beaches are more suitable and safer for surfing than many other countries. That’s why surfers are coming from here. It is also the main practice ground for surfers in the country. Saifullah Sifat, a young surfer from Cox’s Bazar and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Surfing Association, said that although the surfing map includes big countries like Australia, Indonesia, or South Africa, Cox’s Bazar beaches are completely different and safe. Many people think that surfing is only done on rocky or coral-covered beaches. But if you fall from the waves in those places, there is a risk of getting cut and bleeding due to sharp rocks. Apart from that, there is a fear of sharks in many places. But Cox’s Bazar beaches are naturally sandy. There is no coral or stone here, so it is one of the safest surfing zones in the world for beginners.
Australian tourist Pedrick Hersh, who visited Cox’s Bazar, was also impressed by the surfers’ practice. He also took up surfing himself. He said, “I have surfed on many rocky beaches around the world, but surfing on the sandy beaches of Cox’s Bazar is different. The waves here are perfect for learning to surf.”
70 surfers surf at Kalatali Beach every day. 17 of them are female surfers. Four female surfers standing with their surfboards at Kalatali BeachProthom-alo
Tourists are fascinated by surfing
Tourists are fascinated by the surfers’ skill in riding the waves of the ocean. A large number of tourists gather at Kalatali Beach in the morning to watch the surfers’ speed and balance on the crest of the waves on the blue waters of the ocean. Many take pictures of this scene. Mizanur Rahman, a college student from Comilla, was standing at Kalatali Beach watching surfing. He said, ‘When I was a teenager, I was fascinated by watching foreigners surfing on television. I saw surfing with my own eyes when I came to Cox’s Bazar Beach. I really want to learn surfing.’
Although the number of people interested in surfing is increasing, the sport is not spreading due to lack of infrastructure. Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Resort Owners Association, said, “About 7-8 million tourists come here every year. A large portion of them are fascinated by surfing and want to learn, but due to lack of infrastructure and surfing equipment, that is not possible.”
Mohammad Mannan enjoys surfingPhoto: Prothom Alo
Surfer Shabe Mehraj said, “I have been surfing on this beach since 2012. Although thousands of tourists are fascinated by surfing every day, I don’t see a future for this water sport. Especially for girls, surfing requires taking risks. Some people in society view women’s surfing differently. If a separate surfing club for girls were established, many would have the opportunity to learn surfing.”
Bangladesh Surfing Association General Secretary Md. Moazzem Hossain Chowdhury said that financial constraints are the main challenge. If government and private sponsorship were available, Bangladeshi surfers would have had the opportunity to make the country shine on the international stage.
