Who was the first to go windsurfing on the “No. 1 Rafting River under Heaven”? That remains unclear. Compared to sheepskin rafts, windsurfing is faster and more maneuverable. Yesterday, it made its “first drift” on the Lanzhou section of the Yellow River, attracting many onlookers. Our reporter also caught a glimpse of the first person to go windsurfing on the Yellow River — Ding Weiming, a Lanzhou native who has acquired Singaporean citizenship.
At 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the weather in Lanzhou was clear and sunny. At the Gannong University Dock on the Lanzhou section of the Yellow River, 34-year-old Ding Weiming officially began his first adventure in drifting. Many are calling his drift the first time anyone has “taken the plunge” on the Lanzhou stretch of the Yellow River — because unlike sheepskin rafts, Ding used a single-blade windsurf board.
After carefully checking his gear and preparing every detail, Ding Weiming entered the water. He surfed for one hour and 40 minutes, covering a distance of 18 kilometers, and successfully reached his destination at the Zhongli Bridge Dock on the north side of Lanzhou Sports Park. Ding told reporters that this was an unforgettable adventure in his life, as well as an opportunity to get closer to the Yellow River and explore its ancient culture. Aside from feeling a bit cold due to the chilly weather, everything went smoothly. He is the first person to successfully windsurf down the Yellow River.
It is understood that Ding Weiming left Lanzhou in 2001 to study in Singapore and acquired Singaporean citizenship. Even abroad, he never gave up his passion for water sports and joined a local windsurfing club. He said, “The Yellow River is the Mother River. The main reason I came to drift here this time was to see the Mother River once again.”
Regarding the risks of drifting on the Yellow River, Ding Weiming has his own unique perspective. He said that drifting in the sea is actually more dangerous, while drifting in the Yellow River is relatively safer. On November 4, he plans to pack up, leave Lanzhou, and head to the Yangtze River for another drift.