Surf's up for home-grown surfers

By Patrick Whiteley (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-03 07:24

A small band of pioneers are making a big splash off the coast of southern China to become the nation's first home-grown surfers.

The island province of Hainan is leading a surfing craze, which is attracting a groundswell of interest.

In what is claimed to be the first ever surf event held in China, Robert 'Wingnut' Weaver, star of the classic surf movie Endless Summer II, has led an assembled group of American and Chinese surfers from all walks of life.

There was a barbeque by the beach, drinking, music, fun and, of course, plenty of surfing. More than 90 percent of the surfers were Chinese.

"Surfing has been around about a hundred years, but it's only just started in China," says Zhang Yinhai, 35, one of China's best surfers. "We're not lacking for anything here - surfboards, sea, waves, people, brave ones, and not so brave ones. I think it will get really big here. More and more Chinese are starting to surf, and it will really start to gather speed."

According to locals, about 70 per cent of Hainan surfers are expatriates from Guandong province, but more and more Chinese surfers are becoming hooked.

Local surfer Zhang explains why.

"When you go out and surf, when you catch a wave, the feeling is always different.

"Also when you're on the board, the instant you stand up, you feel like you've achieved something. A natural high. The world ceases to exist. It's just you and the waves."