SITUATED on the tropic of cancer at similar latitude to Hawaii, Taiwan is a gem in the rough, hidden in plain sight.
Surrounded by raucous neighbors - China, the most populous nation on earth to the west; Japan, beautiful but crowded, and somewhat colder to the north and the politically unstable and regularly storm ravaged Philippines to the south. It’s an often overlooked tropical island, complete with laid back attitudes, boardshort water, warm weather and plenty of surf.
Darren Eudaly is an everyday man with uncanny surfing abilities. He’s the quintessential California blond hair surfer dude, runs his own carpentry business named Hammer U Daily . . . no, I’m not joking, and even runs a property out in Texas. When not shootin’ critters and chewing tobacco he’s sliding Californian curls.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150369036480277&id=339593800273
A tourist got beaten by a "local" surfer and his friends on the beach.
They used baseball bats and sticks after a stupid quarrel about a wave in the water. The tourist is left with permanent scars and serious injuries.
Why people are so stupid ?
This is a sad day for Nanwan and Taiwan surfing.
Indeed a sad and unnecessary event. Local surfers have pulled together, meetings have been held and the offender has already been completely pulled into line. That said, the national media here in Taiwan have blown the incident way out of proportion (surprise, surprise) - a news environment that gives more air time to Lady Gaga's looks than flooding catastrophes in Australia and Brazil.
Fame/Infamy and all it's trappings for the perpetrators is assured, whether they like it or not. Thankfully though, the good locals far, far outweigh the bad in Taiwan; some of the coolest and happiest crew anywhere in the world I've had the pleasure of surfing with.
"Thankfully though, the good locals far, far outweigh the bad in Taiwan; some of the coolest and happiest crew anywhere in the world I've had the pleasure of surfing with." True. Amen.
I'm planning a trip in March from the cold waters of Oregon on the west coast of the U.S. It seems like everyone is talking about the summer months and the southern part of Taiwan as best. Is it worth my trip to come over in March? Would we have any luck on the south end or should we consider the east side or further north. I can't seem to find much info that gives me enough to base a decision on. I'm really itching to get out of the cold and rain, but I don't want to get skunked either. I don't need it to be huge, but I also don't want to surf windblown chop either? I would much appreciate any info you all could give me. I respect the ocean and the locals. I don't need spots named, but just some general guidance.
Thanks,
Josh
Hi Mildoo, You'll find waves all year 'round in Taiwan - like most places it's less crowded in winter, although the water temp is still boardshorts. If you log onto SurfTaiwan.com and shoot me an email from there, I'm happy to answer any questions. And yes Nanwan is a fun wave, but certainly not the best - there are many surf options.
When you come to Taiwan on your Moonwalker surf-tour, please go to NANWAN. It's the best wave on the island. A hollow right-hander with great ramp sections. The local level of surfing there is really low, so you'll get a lot of waves (but don't get too many.) You really don't need to look elsewhere on the island for waves; it's that good.
I have just come back from a Taiwan surf trip for 2 weeks over December 2010/Jan 2011. We surfed everyday varying from 2 foot up to a consistant 4 foot most of the time, the waves varied from head high A frames to point breaks left and rights as well as beachies.The waves had plenty of power, were glassy in the morning and arvos and we had a sick time could not have surfed anymore. As well as the cultural sights, cheap food and friendly people a trip definately worth doing to get of the beaten track, I will definately be returning.
I first surfed the place in 2002 it was even less crowded then. I originally went for business. Apart from the Japanese not many come to Taiwan just to surf, it's good escape from their crowds and very close. I've had some good waves and some average ones too, like anywhere really. I spent the whole of December 2010 and managed to get some very good waves on a few days and OK waves most other days. I keep going back because I now have connections there and the surf is a bonus, so is the friendly vibe. Not sure it will ever become a full on surf destination like Fiji or Bali, not really cheap enough and you need to speak a little Mandarin to really get around unless you know some locals. The Taiwanese women are simply gorgeous too but be careful you might marry one!
I was based on the NE coast but did a couple of trips down the east coast. East coast is probably the best place to be based in winter. Photos 9-11 look like the rivermouth down the east coast which gets good regularly.
I've dealt with a few surf tour organisations over the years and surftaiwan are about as sound as it gets, goodfish you're likely to have issues and may have vested interests otherwise. the article i read here has no maps, no breaks mentioned. 3-4 people max on their trips. take a mogadon and get some sleep.
Indeed Godfish! - best of luck with your cantankerous viewpoint. For all of those who wish to view a foreign and intriguing surf culture, feel free to click on though the images and read the quotes. The interesting fact is that these pro's surf all over the world and they rate Taiwan highly . . . simply read their viewpoints - figure that?! It's in their own words, not altered by journalists or editors in any way, shape, or form. Feel free to email them directly if you believe you've been horribly dis-serviced.
I really don't mind the pictures, I'm always interested in surf photos taken in Taiwan. But here's a little friendly suggestion: Have the logo thing printed on the side of the pics, as splattering it full size will rip the aesthetics off even the best pictures. Again as long as the comments aren't JUST ADS, but real genuine responses...then I think it's okay....just don't over do it la
Hey Illihc, thanks for your constructive feedback and coherent english sentences. The reasons I watermark my images are such - I'm a professional photojournalist, I've worked hard over the years to hone my skills and I also don't want my images on the MSW site to used elsewhere (copied and pasted) without authorisation - this is a constant issue myself and other professional photogs face. The Editor of MSW is happy for me to do so, though I do agree such watermarks can detract from an image, it's a delicate balance. If some folks are vehemently opposed to viewing such photos they're welcome to click onto another, there are so many good shots from great photogs on this site!
But that aside, I'm glad you like seeing shots from Taiwan - Check out the latest Surfers Journal. Thanks
Hey Krankenstein (haha, that's a great handle!) - for the time you're looking at, the south coast is the go. Please feel free to check www.SurfTaiwan.com for more pics and info :)
Indeed Godfish - you follow the crowd, you get the scraps. You find your own breaks - as the two guys at Surf Taiwan.com do (with a few awesome and mellow locals) and you get the gold! We're not into crowding out breaks with one or two surf tours a month of 3 - 4 people. We find the crew that travel with us are intelligent and well versed in world travel - they know the deal. Have fun, smile in the lineups = more fun.
thanks for all the good info! will defiantly look into heading your way this year. the surf season is now for us with the consistent nth winds, you guys too? sunabe has been 3-4foot most days. have a good day. im off to get a few, cheers!
It seem all these images are from the beaches closest to Taipei - the most crowded bit of coastline in Taiwan. Rest assured our tours go nowhere near such places. We're at completely the other end of the country in the tropics.
Sorry - I mean the images from this site - www.surffella.com.tw - doh! Great to see some pics of Taiwanese getting stoked on surfing though. Smiles all 'round!
well, I have to say that when the swell is on is pretty rare to find an uncrowded place. It can happen, if you get the line up at 5:30 am or in some other few occasions, as everywhere else. But I wouldn't paint Taiwan as the Last Uncrowded Surfing Paradise. Definitely is not. And when it is, well, bless your lucky day!
According to this venerable site - the consistency of swell in Taiwan is high. And I can attest to that. Folks, feel free to check the pages on this site for a couple of spots - it will give a sample of what's on offer.
http://magicseaweed.com/Jialeshuei-Surf-Report/2409/
http://magicseaweed.com/Taitung-Surf-Report/757/
And thanks to all the surfers around the world who use this site to share their stoke - Surfing = Happy!
Almost never any groundswell.
In winter, the coast is battered by the NNE winds and the short period wind swells that come along.
When is the last time you had less than 25m/h NNE wind in Jia Le Shuei ?
http://magicseaweed.com/Jialeshuei-Surf-Report/2409
Don't get me wrong, I love this place. I would just not advertise its spots as a "world class wave" or anything near it.
Indeed Habitol, like anywhere in the world there are good days and bad. My friends and I (between us) in Taiwan ride shortboards, longboards, SUP and bodysurf - it's a rare day you can't find some fun waves. And yes, I agree - there are almost no world-class in Taiwan. This I believe is what will save it from Bali and Indo style crowds. If you want heaving six-foot heaving barrels over razor sharp coral, Taiwan is not the place. But for fun waves and an intriguing and safe culture with super friendly people, Taiwan is awesome!
According to this venerable site - the consistency of swell in Taiwan is high. And I can attest to that. Folks, feel free to check the pages on this site for a couple of spots - it will give a sample of what's on offer.
http://magicseaweed.com/Jialeshuei-Surf-Report/2409/
http://magicseaweed.com/Taitung-Surf-Report/757/
And thanks to all the surfers around the world who use this site to share their stoke - Surfing = Happy!
Oh little peanut stress not - do you see any spots named or maps in this photo feature? Good of you to employ double standards and actually name a spot in you comments though.
It can get the flat spell for month in summer and winter is mostly short period wind swells with onshore winds.
Much better off going to indo for consistent world class waves.
Nice pictures though !
Hey Sam, yeah Chris Del Moro had snapped his shortboard legrope's by this point of the trip and had to borrow a longboard one. And yes, he made the paddleout and got some bombs! A very stylish surfer and real nice guy. A pleasure to work with.
This article is a bit starry-eyed. Taiwan can be flat for days at a time, and when it does get big during typhoon season the coast guard is posted to all the major breaks to stop people from going in the water. Thankfully they are not very consistent about this, but I've lost a couple of days from my last two trips to Taiwan as a result of this. They wouldn't even let us take photos! Also, surfing has become quite popular in the last few years, so it's no longer quite as uncrowded as this article suggests.
I was in Taiwan in April last year. Its such a great place to visit and surf. The Taiwanese are a great people, with some class waves. If you visit be sure to try the indigenous wine made from semolina.
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