13 October 2023, Dongsha Beach, Jhujiajian Island, Zhoushan, China: It was full and exciting day of action at Dongsha Beach today for the start of the inaugural Zhoushan Open of Surf & Skate 2023, with 48 competitors from 6 countries chasing spots in the finals tomorrow.
Competitors from several part of China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia traveled to the City Surfer Beach Club on Dongsha Beach to compete and enjoy the camaraderie of surfing and partying together for this two day event in Men’s and Women’s Longboard and Men’s and Women’s Shortboard divisions.
The day’s activities started with an opening ceremony with an amazing dance duo, then a speech by Mr. Zhang Hui, the Deputy Director of Zhoushan Municipal, Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Sports, followed by a few words from Tim Hain from the Asian Surf Cooperative.
In his speech, Mr. Zhang Hui extended a warm welcome the competitors, referees, media, and staff, thanking the ASC and the Aquatics Sports Administration for their strong support, making this event possible. He wished the competitors success and said “I believe that this event will provide a platform for players (surfers) from all over the world to show themselves, exchange skills, and enhance friendship. Besides, it can further promote surfing and skateboarding to achieve the vigorous development of sports and tourism.”
Next, Tim Hain from the ASC first thanked the organizers, sponsors, government supporters, and the surfers for the opportunity to be part of this event then said, “It’s amazing to be here and see this beautiful place, to meet up with some old friends, make some new friends and be together at this surfing competition. At ASC we have spent a lot of years helping to develop surfing around the Asian Region, and we’re honored to be part of helping this new surf community grow and happy to see the surfers from other parts of China traveling here to be participate and join in the event. We’re looking forward to seeing a lot of great surfing and having a great event, thanks again.”
After the speeches and the event was officially declared open, the Women Longboard Division paddled out into the 2 foot surf that was set up perfectly for them. The highest single wave score of the session was posted by Flora Cristin from Indonesia in Heat 2, with 7.0 points out of a possible 10 points for a beautiful hang 5 nose ride, earning her a spot in the semifinals.
China’s Monica Guo won her Heat 1 battle, and South Korean Danhee Jung won Heat 3 and can boast the sessions highest combined heat score of 13.60 points out of a possible 20 points, for her two best waves of 6.83 and 6.77. Both surfers will be in tomorrow’s semifinals.
In the Men’s Longboard action, the two top performers were Wei Huang and TZ, both from China, winning their heats and advancing to the semifinals.
This highlight of the day came late in the afternoon in Men’s Shortboard action, with Indonesia’s Made Joi posting an almost perfect score of 9.0 points out of a possible 10 points, and finishing with a heat total of 16.00 points (out of a possible 20). After building up his scores on a few inside waves, he paddled a bit further out and waiting for a bigger set, then took off and blasted a couple of big slashing turns then worked it to the inside to finish it off.
Come to the beach tomorrow to watch the semifinals and finals of this fun and amazing event, and if you can’t make it you can always follow the schedule and scores at https://liveheats.com/events/174881