Ahmed “Ammadey” Agil from the Maldives surfed his way to glory in the Open category of the second edition of the Indian Open of Surfing championship on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Maldivian surfer was awarded a cheque worth Rs 50,000 (USD 774) while runner-up French surfer Perceval Fayon earned Rs 25,000 (USD 387).

Ammadey began surfing at a very young age, and by the time he was 16 years old, he was already showing signs of promise as a surfer. With a goal of surfing at all the breaks in the Maldives, Ammadey has already won several recognitions, including:

• 2009: Rookie – Assidha National Challenge
• 2010: 4th place – Rondu National Challenge
• 2011: 4th place – Randhaa National Challenge
• 2012: 4th place – Papasss Raalhu Challenge
• 2013: 2nd place – Four Seasons Domestic Trophy 2013
• 2013: 1st place (Local Hero) – Red Bull Local Hero Tour 2013, Maldives

More than 120 surfers from India, US, Maldives, Reunion Island, Australia and France took part in the three-day championship, which is recognised by the International Surfing Association and Surfing Federation of India and is organised by Dakshina Kannada district administration in association with Karnataka Tourism, Kanara Surfing and Water Sports Promotion Council in partnership with Mantra Surf Club.

Indian surfers claimed the winning spot in other categories, including U-14, U-16, seniors (23 to 30 years), masters (30 years and above).

Surfing has become a popular sport, especially in the tourism industry of the Maldives, with resorts and tour operators organising surfing charters to allow guests to experience the many different waves and breaks in the island nation.

The best time for surfing trips to the Maldives is the Southern Hemisphere winter, which lasts from March till October. During this period, the roaring forties cause storms which bring the largest swells to the archipelago. The biggest waves are likely to occur in June, July and August. During this period, the wind is mainly offshore all day long.

The Maldives is exposed to the same swells as Indonesia is, except that its higher latitude and its South-East exposure offers cooler and less hardcore surfing. The typical Maldivian wave rolls up like most point breaks with workable corners, fun pockets and long rides. Very rarely will the sets wall up or close out the channels. The waves break on mostly dead reef, and very rarely will you come in contact with it unless you are surfing on a very low tide.