"Bow in Respect" to Ride the Breaking Waves – Float on the Pacific during a Hualien Sea Swim

▲"Sea swimming," a completely new experience, is the most novel and thrilling maritime activity this summer, and you don’t even need to know how to swim to join in. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying, same below)

Reported and photographed by Reporter Chen Ziying / Hualien

"Every summer I want to go to the seaside!" There's no doubt that the beach is the coolest place to be in the scorching summer heat, but what’s the best way to get up close and personal with the ocean? That would undoubtedly be "sea swimming." With two-thirds of your body submerged in the vast Pacific, floating up and down with the waves, it’s the ultimate seaside experience this summer.

Leading the sea swim event is Teacher Su Dazhen, who studied in Hawaii and loves the ocean, which led him back to a hillside area near Yanliao Beach in Shoufeng Township, Hualien—just to be closer to the sea. Su Dazhen said: "Sea swimming and regular swimming are actually two completely different things—not only the attire is different, the techniques used are entirely different, and because sea swimming requires adapting to various ocean conditions, contrary to common perception, sea swimming and swimming can be considered separate activities altogether." At their first meeting, Su Dazhen openly shared all his knowledge with participants. He said that Taiwanese people either fear the ocean or are unfamiliar with it. The "Su Fan Marine Culture and Arts Foundation," which he established in 2011, was created to help more people understand, connect with, and even come to love the ocean.

 
▲Teacher Su Dazhen has built his dream space right by Yanliao Beach in Hualien—for no other reason than to help more people fall in love with the ocean.

Su Dazhen said that sea swimming is not restricted by age or individual ability, but rather by ocean conditions. He added: "People and the sea are alive, but equipment is not. As long as you understand both the person and the day’s sea conditions, and make good use of the equipment, sea swimming isn't a difficult thing." In fact, because the timing of tides changes daily and the locations of rip currents and coastal currents vary, you need to survey the "ocean terrain" beforehand. After understanding the sea and weather conditions, calculate the precise timing of the tides. Su Dazhen’s assistants, who are familiar with the ocean, will first drift out to sea to assess conditions before leading participants.

Under Teacher Su Dazhen’s guidance, participants feel as though they’re getting to know the ocean anew, eager to try out the latest ocean activity: sea swimming. First, you must put on a full-body wetsuit and water shoes, then follow the teacher and assistants to the shoreline dozens of meters away—immediately feeling that exciting, tense sensation. Around seven people line up side by side, each holding a torpedo buoy to form a line, with an assistant at the far right. "When you see a wave, bow and salute it"—this point is firmly etched in everyone’s mind, because you have to break through wave after wave of white water to complete the sea swim. At first, non-swimmers almost want to give up, because sea swimming is another kind of team activity. If you don’t overcome the successive surf zones, how can you enjoy the vast feeling of floating on the sea with your companions?


 
▲Holding onto a torpedo buoy guided by assistants who understand the sea conditions, it’s thrilling yet surprisingly reassuring. Teacher Su especially reminds everyone: when encountering breaking waves above waist height, remember to "bow and salute" and bravely ride through them.


▲%技幢愠粤思缚谙滔痰暮Ｋ??膊灰?ε拢?蛭?芸炀突岣惺艿椒缙嚼司驳牧衫?惺堋＜br />


Finally breaking through the successive waves, the sea gradually calms down, and the incredible and refreshing sensation of floating in the Pacific fills your heart. After floating on the sea for a while, the return journey brings a different kind of thrill. In addition to paddling hard, you’re back-to-back with the waves, never knowing when the next one will hit—you realize this is what sea swimming is all about. Relying solely on a single torpedo buoy, it’s a complete immersion into the ocean.

If sea swimming isn’t enough, Teacher Su Dazhen’s foundation also offers kayaking, guided one-on-one with assistants, where you also have to break through wave after wave of surf. Some people capsize repeatedly or get pushed back to shore by the waves—but don’t worry, other assistants will help push the boats back out to sea. As long as you paddle in sync with the lead instructor, you’ll quickly get through the surf zone and experience the joy of kayaking on the Pacific.


▲All the gear for kayaking on the sea is prepared by the instructors, so you’re all set!

 
▲Paddling a kayak toward the Pacific also means navigating through surf zones, though it’s a bit more challenging—with some companions capsizing repeatedly, it’s thrilling and fun.



▲%纪黄扑槔饲??螅?焕吹氖窃诤Ｉ匣?滥局鄣挠葡秀?猓?挠锌嗑「世吹淖涛丁＜br />

Whether it’s sea swimming or kayaking on the sea, it must be done when ocean currents are weakest. Contrary to common belief, the highest and lowest tides are when there are the least currents. During high tide, currents flow from south to north, and during low tide, from north to south. In bay areas, the counter-currents actually flow in the opposite direction.

This summer, in addition to collaborating with Hualien’s Hanpint Hotel to offer sea swimming and kayaking experiences, the Su Fan Marine Culture and Arts Foundation also offers a one-day "Qingshui Cliff Kayaking Trip"—not viewing Qingshui Cliff from land, but seeing it from the sea. After paddling out, you turn back to gaze at beautiful Taiwan. Unlike typical routes, this one heads from south to north, covering a journey of about 12 kilometers over four hours. There’s also the "E’luanbi Prosperity Journey – Pacific Route," which relies on the Kuroshio Current along the east coast and takes about two weeks to complete, designed for true ocean lovers.

 
▲Yanliao Beach has become much more vibrant thanks to Teacher Su’s creativity!


▲Teacher Su’s Su Fan Marine Culture and Arts Foundation is a small wooden house by the sea, complete with a swing facing the ocean. The “sea” you see here is definitely a brand-new experience.

The Hanpint Hotel in Hualien is offering a "Summer’s Glamour: Whale Tales & Pacific Love" accommodation package until August 31. Rooms for two start at NT$2,750 per person, including one night’s stay with two meals. Options include a boat trip to view Qingshui Cliff from the sea, or choosing either a sea swim or a sea kayaking experience with the Su Fan Marine Culture and Arts Foundation. Additionally, the newly launched several themed suites inspired by Jimmy Liao, available until December 31 this summer, offer a promotional package for rooms for two with one night’s stay, two meals, and afternoon tea for NT$4,999 plus 10%.