World class surfers compete in Taitung County

Taiwan Living in Taiwan
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1

Where is this beach Jinzun?

World class surfers compete in Taitung County
2015/11/25 21:17:30

Takumi Nakamura, Japan’s top-ranked surfer. Photo from Taiwan Open of Surfing official Facebook page.
Takumi Nakamura, Japan’s top-ranked surfer. Photo from Taiwan Open of Surfing official Facebook page.

Taipei, Nov. 25 (CNA) Taitung County launched a four-day surfing competition on Wednesday, with more than 70 surfers, including world champions Taylor Jensen and Chelsea Williams, competing at Jinzun beach.

Dubbed the biggest surfing event in Taiwan, the 2015 Taiwan Open of Surfing, which carries a purse of NT$2 million (US$61,521), is a recognized WSF QS1500 event.

It is tantamount to a 3-star event under the the old rating system, and on a higher level than the previous 1-star events held in Taiwan.

Photo from Taiwan Open of Surfing official Facebook page

As Taiwan’s only surfing event that is officially part of the World Surfing League (WSL) world circuit, the competition has attracted big names in world surfing. Among them are longboard world champions Taylor Jensen, Harley Ingleby and Chelsea Williams, who holds the 2014 title.

In addition, American surfer Garrett McNamara, who holds the world record for surfing the biggest wave in 2011, will also be showcasing his formidable skills.

Photo from Taiwan Open of Surfing official Facebook page

Now in its fifth year, the Taiwan Open of Surfing is being hosted by the Taitung County government to promote sports and tourism, taking advantage of the seasonal northeasterly winds and the county’s unique indigenous culture.

(By Lu Tai-cheng and Lee Mei-yu)
ENDITEM/pc

The Central News Agency © 2014

2

It’s about 3km south of Donghe and 10 km north of Dulan. In my opinion, it is Taiwan’s most beautiful beach.

3

World-circuit class event and a constellation of big names in surfing participating. Latin Americans are participating: Costa Rica, Peru, which is rare, plus the big names from the US, UK, New Zealand, France, and Ireland, and of course, Japan. Pretty cool.

Hope they have lots of success and can become an annual event.

4

It will keep going as long as the government keeps putting up the money to host it. After all, they come for the money.

It can’t possibly make enough money to break even so the government ends up with a loss and so would anyone else that might attempt to sponsor it. Good for the local economy anyway.

5

is it still nice and warm in Taidong? It sure doesn’t feel like surfing time up here in the North.

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For anyone who wants to watch, it’s streamed live at worldsurfleague.com/events/2 … of-surfing