International Surfing Competition Kicks Off in Taitung with Public Experience Sessions

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi

The 2012 Taiwan International Surfing Open is taking place from today (the 14th) to November 18th in Jinzun, Taitung. This year, it has been rated as an Asian Tour venue by the ASC (Association of Surfing Professionals), making Taitung the newest addition to the circuit alongside Malaysia, ... and becoming a key stop in Asia. The competition includes junior divisions, and participants' performances will contribute to the regional rankings. It is the highest-level (Ultima) surfing event in Taiwan and the only international surfing competition in the country. The head judge is TB, an International Level 3 judge from Australia’s Surfing Australia, who holds a prestigious position in the Australian surfing community. He has officiated numerous ASP tour events and served as head judge for many years. Aside from having an international-grade judging panel at the level of the world’s top-tier (Ultima) surfing tours, this event also features the highest number of world champion surfers ever to compete in Taiwan. These are professional surfers with multiple championship titles, including 2011 World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen, a surfing prodigy who has been a dominant force since the age of 6, as well as current global teen sensation Nic Jones, and Wade Carmichael, currently ranked No. 1 in the Asia-Pacific region. They will all compete in Jinzun, Taitung.

Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-ting stated that last year’s inaugural “Taitung International Surfing Competition” attracted many domestic and international participants, and this year’s event has not only followed the top-tier ASC event structure but also expanded into four major divisions: Men’s Shortboard, Women’s Shortboard, Longboard Mixed, and Junior Division. The total prize money has increased from last year’s NT$300,000 to a record-high NT$600,000 for a surfing competition in Taiwan. To encourage local athletes to achieve better results, a new “Best Improvement Award” for domestic surfers has been introduced, with a total prize pool of NT$52,900, including NT$10,350 for the first-place winners in both men’s and women’s categories. Additionally, a “Best Maneuver Award” has been added, allowing spectators to witness not just high-speed wave riding but also impressive aerial tricks and spray-inducing moves. These elements have drawn many international surfing pros to register for the 2012 Taiwan International Surfing Open.

In addition to watching a world-class surfing competition and aquatic performances, the event site from November 14th to 18th offers outdoor experience activities. Participants can try windsurfing or stand-up paddling to experience the thrill of riding ocean waves. To encourage public participation, Taitung County Government is giving out one raffle ticket per outdoor activity participant, with chances to win great prizes such as Pioneer headphones, Timex watches, and 720 SHARK sunglasses.

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