The internationally popular water sport of body surfing has officially been launched for the first time at the Cox’s Bazar sea beach.
The activity began on Sunday morning at Laboni Beach through an initiative titled “Body Surfing Bangladesh”, involving 35 young participants, most of whom are lifeguards and youths associated with surfing activities.
Organisers said the ancient water sport, believed to have originated around 326 years ago along various coastlines around the world, had now formally begun its journey in Bangladesh.
Body surfing is a form of wave riding in which participants glide on ocean waves using only their bodies, without surfboards or other floating equipment. Swimmers use the force of waves along with hand and leg movements, often supported by specialised swimming fins, to ride the surf at high speed.
The sport is widely regarded as one of the purest and oldest forms of surfing.
Entrepreneurs of “Body Surfing Bangladesh”, Zainal Abedin and Mohammad Osman, said they were working to develop Bangladeshi youths into internationally standard body surfers.
They also expressed hopes of participating in national and international competitions in the future.
Mentor of the initiative, Imtiaz Ahmed, said government support would be necessary to promote the international-standard water sport in Bangladesh.
He said that assistance with training, safety measures, and international networking could help Bangladesh gain recognition for body surfing on the global stage.
Sports organisers and enthusiasts welcomed the initiative taken by coastal youths.
According to them, the natural environment and ocean waves of Cox’s Bazar are highly suitable for body surfing and could create new opportunities in both tourism and sports sectors in the future.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
