Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Seoul opens Water Sports Center on Han River featuring kayaking, sailing
People ride on small boats on the Han River in this undated photo. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
By Lee Hae-rin
Seoulites can now enjoy kayaking, yachting and windsurfing on the Han River, with added access to personal watercraft maintenance and equipment storage, following the launch Thursday of the Seoul Water Sports Center by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
The center is located in Nanji Han River Park, north of the Han River near World Cup Park, and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except Mondays.
Anyone can enjoy using a kayak, dinghy or keelboat at the water sports center for 10,000 to 80,000 won ($7 to $56).
All water sports programs are available after a water sports safety training session with experts.
The kayak program runs from noon to 30 minutes before sunset. Sessions are two hours and can accommodate up to 10 people per hour.
The dinghy yacht experience is open for people aged 14 and older. The reservation requires at least five people and the session, available for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels, lasts for four hours.
The keelboat experience is also for those aged 14 and up and is divided into entry and in-depth levels.
Reservations for water sports experiences can be made via phone (02-302-8812/8813/8814). The center will open a reservation platform on Naver starting in mid-May.
An overview of the Seoul Water Sports Center on the Han River / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The center also features moorings where private water sports equipment can dock and be stored.
Up to 30 motor-powered water leisure ships spanning less than 9 meters in length can be docked in the water mooring.
The land mooring can store 54 motor-powered ships less than 9 meters in length and 130 nonpowered water leisure equipment items such as windsurfing boards, kayaks and yachts.
Applications for mooring can be made by visiting the center or by email. Details on the application are available on Seoul's Han River Headquarters website.
The city government plans to host various events to promote the new center as a water leisure hub for the capital.