Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Indian Surfing Chief Arun Vasu Takes Helm At Asian Federation
Arun Vasu is the leader of surfing in India, and now he has been chosen to be the leader of surfing in all of Asia too.
People from surf groups across Asia voted for him, and the world surfing organization made sure the vote was fair.
Vasu has been in charge of India's surfing group since 2021.
During that time, Indian surfers did great things — they made it to the Asian Games and won India's first medal at an Asian Surfing Championship.
Vasu is taking over from Atsushi Sakai of Japan, who had led the Asian group since 2011.
Vasu has been surfing and windsurfing his whole life.
He says he respects all the hard work that Japan did over the years.
He wants surfing and stand-up paddling to grow in every part of Asia, not just some places.
He says the work to make that happen starts now.
Arun Vasu, president of the Surfing Federation of India, was elected head of the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF) in a vote by member National Federations.
The election was supervised by the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Under Vasu's presidency since 2021, Indian surfers qualified for the Asian Games and won India's first medal at an Asian Surfing Championship.
Vasu succeeds Atsushi Sakai of Japan, who had led the ASF since 2011.
Vasu pledged inclusive growth for surfing and Stand-Up Paddling (SUP), saying the federation's future must belong equally to every part of Asia.
- Who
- Arun Vasu, president of the Surfing Federation of India
- What
- Elected as the new head of the Asian Surfing Federation (ASF)
- When
- Friday, through a vote by ASF member National Federations
- Where
- Asia, the region governed by the Asian Surfing Federation
- Why
- To foster inclusive growth of surfing and Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) across all parts of Asia
- New ASF President
- Arun Vasu
- Outgoing President
- Atsushi Sakai (Japan)
- Sakai's Tenure
- Led the ASF since 2011
- Vasu's Role
- President of the Surfing Federation of India since 2021
- Election Overseer
- International Surfing Association (ISA)
- Background
- Lifetime windsurfer and surfer
- Achievements Under Vasu
- Asian Games qualification and India's first medal at an Asian Surfing Championship
- Priority
- Inclusive growth of surfing and SUP across Asia