Ironman alert！The world’s only rafting Ironman competition kicks off in Hualien on June 23

Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

The widely praised Xiuguluan River International Rafting Triathlon will kick off on June 23 at the Xiuguluan River Visitor Center in Hualien. Registration is now open. This year, the event will again introduce the “Rafting + Running” two-discipline Ironman category as well as the team-based Iron Triangle group. It will also offer a value-packed tour package covering four major tribes of the East Coast. Whether you want to savor the delicious grilled flying fish at the Shisihang Tribe, learn the thousand-year-old mountain-and-sea wisdom of the Amis hunters at the Shueilian Tribe, listen to the moving Kavalan stories at the Xinshe Tribe, or experience the rice cultivation and art culture of the Gangkou Tribe, you’ll find it all here. In addition to enjoying the thrill of rafting through rapids, participants and visitors can also immerse themselves in the uniquely distinctive tribal cultures of the East Coast, making for a truly unique rafting journey.

The rafting Ironman route begins with an 11-kilometer descent down the Xiuguluan River, which features majestic canyons and bizarre rock formations, in a raft, ending at Qimei Village. From there, participants will run 12.6 kilometers along the winding Ruigang Highway (Hualien Route 64) to the finish line at the New Changhong Bridge Plaza, where they will switch to bicycles for a 44-kilometer cycling leg along the wind-swept coastal roads of Provincial Highway 11. The route then loops back from the ancient Zhongyong Tribe in Changbin Township, offering sweeping views of the magnificent Pacific Ocean along the way and showcasing the most stunning scenery of the East Coast. Riders will embark on a soul-stirring dialogue with the mountains and sea. This year’s categories retain both the individual “Rafting + Running” two-discipline Ironman event and the highly team-oriented “Iron Triangle,” allowing participants who may not be able to bring their own bicycles or who specialize in a single discipline to compete as a team in this annual East Coast rafting extravaganza. The top three overall male and female triathletes, as well as the top three Iron Triangle teams, will receive cash prizes of NT$5,000, NT$3,000, and NT$2,000 respectively.

 

On June 22, the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration has also planned experience tours to four nearby tribes, allowing participants to unwind the day before the event and soak in the tribal culture. At the Shisihang Tribe, besides learning about flying fish ecology and tasting delicious grilled flying fish, you can also learn traditional fishing techniques such as trap-making, the八卦网 (eight-diagram net), and lobster nets, experiencing an authentic mountain-and-sea lifestyle. The Shueilian Tribe, the gateway to the East Coast from Hualien City heading south, offers a glimpse into history with its century-old elementary school, remnants of hunting skills from the legendary giant Aliakakay and tribal warriors, and a thousand-year-old chieftain’s stone. Led by the Jilai Hunter School, you can experience hunter culture and millennia-old mountain-and-sea wisdom. The Xinshe Tribe, known in the Kavalan language as “a place to rest and rejuvenate,” boasts the East Coast’s most expansive mountain-ringed rice paddies and a summer-exclusive beach called Paterongan (巴特虹岸). The reserved yet tradition-cherishing Kavalan people share touching stories throughout the Xinshe Peninsula, and you can also enjoy thoughtfully prepared Kavalan cuisine. The Gangkou Tribe is home to the stunning Shiti Ping Recreation Area, where the story of the oceanic people begins. In the Shiti Ping Wetland Restoration Area, you can explore the raised paths of water terraces and go on a treasure hunt along irrigation channels, or step into the Mimaan (弥漫) creative workshop to experience Shiti Ping’s handmade crafts and art.

 

Additionally, the third edition of the East Coast Travel Enthusiasts event features a completely new route compared to the previous two years. In addition to the annual and regular events organized by the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration, it includes 22 new routes such as uploading travel videos and photos, sharing experiences, participating in tribal activities, and completing challenge tasks. Everyone who participates has a chance to win a high prize of NT$6,000. The Xiuguluan River Rafting Triathlon is one of the point-collecting routes—simply sign up for the June 23 event for a chance to win big cash prizes and other great gifts. For more details, please visit the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration website: www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw.

 

 

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