Chanting loudly, the fisherman drag their boats to the shore, as above the birds circle in hope of scavenging some fresh fish.
Dolphins can be seen at play, in the waves off in the distance, but here closer to the shore it is a surfer that takes center stage. Positioning himself in a small barrel wave, he moves further out, cutting into the surf.
He appears out of place, it’s as if someone has simply pasted him into the scene. But this is only a first impression, and after a while you start to realize that this scene is simply a natural part of a larger picture, and that India offers one of the most unique surfing spots on the planet.
“The color of the sea, the cliffs, the coconut trees and the bright boats are so incredible. They almost look unreal. It feels like I am surfing in an artist’s pallet that seems to always be changing and evolving,” says Lucy Perkins, a yoga instructor from the UK, who now spends her early mornings in a spot that’s close to Varkala town in the Kerala region.
“How do you catch fish with this?” the fishermen ask the surfers as they study their surfboards.
“What’s the point then, if you don’t fish with them?” They raise their eyebrows.
Soon, however, they are taking to the boards themselves, and attempting to catch waves in the way they do with their small boats.
For the time being it’s the local boys who are more eager to learn how to surf though, and they come most evenings to practice.
This might change soon, but for now it’s a small paradise for surfers.
A paradise shared between only a few surfers, and the beach’s true owners - the fishermen.
Photography and Text by Berta Tilmantaite.
Find her on Instagram @Bertatil
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