Surfing, Windsurfing, and Kitesurfing in Taiwan

While Taiwan is not known as a surfers' paradise, there are quite a few places in Taiwan where the sea glides into a sandy beach; where coastal mountains serve as a backdrop; where there are waves suitable for beginners as well as advanced surfers. The surfing in Taiwan is decent all year 'round.

Beginner Surfers in Taiwan

As a rule, longer boards catch smaller waves, are more stable, but offer less in terms of steering. Short boards are less stable, require more paddling to catch a wave, but afford the oppurtunity to impress your friends with fancy maneuvres.

Some tips for beginners:

Stretch before going out
Use the leash! The cord on your board attaches to your ankle, so that if you fall off, your board doesn't take off into the deep blue without you.
Don't forget to paddle! You need to make sure you will be travelling as fast as the wave when it arrives.
To get up: push with your arms and slide your feet under you into a wide stance.

Rentals and Purchases

If you're looking for a longboard (2-3 meters long) to rent in Taiwan, ask for a 'Chang Ban', which should be wide, thick, and made of foam. DO NOT PAY MORE THAN NT$500 for a beginner surf board for all day. If you want to buy a surfboard, prices start around NT$20,000 because they are imported.

Other Water Options

If you're not too keen on surfing, or if it's just not enough, there are several other options for you.

Body/Boogie boards offer the same thrill as surfing, but feel safer and are much easier to carry and catch waves.

Taiwan offers perfect conditions for windsurfing. There is always a wind, and there are loads of places to windsurf safely.

Kitesurfing is "the new surfing" wherein you strap a small board to your feet and attach a kite to your waist.

Links

Here are some links that have English as well as Chinese language options.

Click here for the Central Weather Bureau

Click here for Spider Sufing
This is a chain surf shop in taiwan. They have web cams with updates every two minutes.

Click here for The Kitesurfing Center in Taiwan

Click here for Kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing lessons plus rentals

Teaching Jobs in Taiwan

APPLY NOW - Teach in a Taiwan Public School with a great company that will protect your interests and maximize every aspect of your experience.

We also offer jobs in Taiwan private language schools every month. Check out our Taiwan teaching jobs for all teaching jobs in Taiwan that we currently offer.

Find out more about teaching English in Taiwan in our Taiwan Country Info section

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