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Swell Surf Spots in China

Surfing in China is only really starting to take off. However, there are already some great surf spots dotted around the country. Although it will never seriously rival the likes of Hawaii and California, there are some great waves out there and in some spots there is a certain budding surf culture setting in. Here are three up-and-coming surf destinations you should think about heading to if you are in China and feel the urge to ride the swell.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been blazing the surfing trail in China since the 1970s. There are quite a few varied spots and because the scene has been well established for a number of years, surfers have plenty of options once there.

One of the most popular areas is Tai Long Bay, highly regarded for its cleanliness, aesthetics and consistency of waves. Located on the east coast of the Sai Hung Peninsula and considered one of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong, the area has four gorgeous beaches (Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan) all of which can be surfed.

Sai Wan has 2 very safe beaches perfect for learning to surf and they are also the best of the four for SUP (stand-up paddle boarding). They are also perhaps the best choice for spectators with 3 beach side cafes and restaurants, clean public toilets and plenty of places to sit and watch the surf. Ham Tin offers more powerful waves ideal for those honing their skills and Tai Wan tends to have the largest and most consistent waves, along with the some rip currents depending on the weather - for the experienced surfers only.

The Surf Hong Kong team, one of the most respected surf clubs in the region, are located there and offer rental and surfing lessons at all four beaches.

Hainan

Perhaps the closest experience to the likes of Hawaii in China is in Hainan, the only tropical island destination in the country that truly offers world class surfing. The finest spot on the gorgeous sun soaked island is Riyue Bay, home to ‘Surfing Hainan’ which surf guru Brendan Sheridan set up in 2007 and which has been a rite of passage for aspiring surfers throughout the region ever since.

The attraction of Riyue Bay is the both the size of the bay and relatively low number of surfers there, which of course means that it is peaceful and there is more room in the water for you to ride the waves.

This year on 8 & 9 November, hundreds will descend upon the bay for the O’Neill Surfing Hainan Open, the longest running surf competition in China. Long considered the proving grounds for Chinese surfers, as well as a representation of the growing surf scene in China, the competition usually sees 50-plus competitors and attracts two to three hundred spectators. The event also hosts arguably Hainan’s best annual beach party on the evening of 8 November. Riyue Bay is well worth a visit at any time of year though.

Shenzhen

About an hour out of Shenzhen is the Dapeng peninsula and surfing hotspot for those residing in the south of China. The peninsula itself has a number of beaches ideal for a weekend surf escape and one of the most breathtaking is Xichong, 12km south of Nan'ao, on the tip of the Dapeng Peninsula.

The focal point for surfing at Xichong is the Secret Spot Cafe, directly in front of Shenzhen's ‘gnarliest’ surf break. With over 50 surfboards of every size and shape for rent, from the five foot shortboards to 14 foot stand-up paddle boards, you should have all of your surfing needs taken care of here.

Run by American surf ace Nate Howland, the Secret Spot is exactly that – a hidden and quiet bay that is surprisingly not too well known despite being day-trip distance away from one of China’s larger metropolises. Offering accommodation, a western restaurant and a fully stocked fridge of imported beers, it is also a cool place to hang out for acouple of days and soak up the sun.

And for the extreme surfer…

If you reckon you are pretty nifty on a surfboard you may like to try surfing the ‘Silver Dragon’ in Hangzhou. The Qiantang Tidal Bore is a big river wave that forms at Hangzhou Bay and barrels upstream for miles.

The centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the earth and by the bottleneck shape of Hangzhou Bay makes it easy for the tide to come in, but difficult for it to ebb, resulting in an amazing spectacle. The phenomenon happens every day but it gets the most attention during the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the wave is at its largest.  Surfers come from across the globe at that time of year to have a crack, but be warned – it would be ill-advised to try this unless you are already a pretty rad surfer.

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