Hu Bin, a national champion in speed roller skating, started surfing in 2014 and is now a coach at Shenzhen Xichong Surf God Surf Club.
What made you make such a big transition from land to sea?
Hu Bin: Because I love the ocean and the feeling of freedom. Surfing is a sport full of challenges and unknowns.
There were also moments when I was caught in huge waves and pulled underwater, feeling extremely panicked and tense. The suffocating feeling underwater is still unforgettable, but I never thought of giving up. Because throughout the sport, every time you challenge or successfully master a move, it’s an incredibly joyful experience. Surfing is just too fascinating—it allows me to deeply feel the power of nature and the potential of the human body.
Many people think you guys look really cool and awesome when surfing. For beginners, what should they pay attention to?
Hu Bin: During this sport, in summer you need to wear specialized surf shorts and sun protection clothing, and in winter, a wetsuit is essential. Year-round, you must apply sunscreen to protect your skin. Most importantly, you need a surfboard that suits you. And if you want to take cool photos, you’ll also need an action camera.
There are so many action cameras—how do you choose one?
Hu Bin: Let me introduce two that I’ve personally used. Drift and GoPro—the image quality is not much different, both offering 4K resolution with clear and vibrant footage.
When surfing, if you need to adjust your posture, GoPro requires adjusting the camera by modifying the mount, while Drift adjusts the shot by rotating its lens. Under the same conditions, with WIFI turned off and shooting 4K video, GoPro lasts 90 minutes, while Drift lasts 150 minutes. The Drift camera has a built-in live streaming function, which GoPro does not have, but GoPro uploads photos to your phone slightly faster than Drift. GoPro is waterproof up to 10 meters without a case, while Drift is only splash-proof. Speaking of which, I think it’s necessary to remind everyone that because seawater is corrosive, whether you’re using a waterproof or non-waterproof camera while surfing or diving, it’s best to use a waterproof housing to prevent damage from corrosion. With the camera, adding accessories like a waterproof case, anti-fog insert, floaty stick, floaty foam, parent-child plate, parent-child mount, and surf mount pretty much covers everything you need.