Busan welcomes big-name surfers

This 2010 file photo shows a participant surfing a left-hander at Haeundae Beach during the International Surfing Competition in Busan. / Korea Times

Surfing contest to take place June 28-30

By John Redmond

With the summer heat raising temperatures across the peninsula, many are ready to hit the beaches to catch some sun and cool off in the sea.

Another good reason to head to the coast this weekend is to see some world class surfing at the Busan Mayor’s International Surfing Competition.

Now in its fifth year surfers and spectators of the sport are being invited to attend or take part in the event at Haeundae Beach from June 28 to 30.

With more sponsors than ever and the population of surfers in Korea doubling each year organizers are anticipating upwards of 300 or more competitors in divisions ranging from “grom” (junior) to an elite class of sponsored riders.

This year promises to be the largest yet.

Also this year’s competition will also feature an international SUP (stand up paddle board) race. SUP surfing is an ancient form of Hawaiian surfing where the rider paddles into the wave while standing up.

This is the first time that SUP has been featured in an international surfing competition in Korea. Previously SUP riders had to compete with other surfers in a “long-board” division.

From spring 2013 the Korean Surfing Association (KSA) partnered with X-Game Korea/Kai Surf to start the first SUP academy in Gwanalli which has increased the number of SUP riders and made the sport more accessible. It’s the perfect marine sport for Korea which experiences lulls in waves making SUP a great alternative to surfing on flat days.

During an interview, Dylan Kim, X-Game Korea/Kai Surf owner, said that “SUP is a great sport that anyone can do and it’s especially good for tourism as it allows people to go to places that they otherwise can’t.”

“Who wouldn’t want to ride an SUP to Gwanalli Bridge and have their photo taken by it. Usually as a tourist you can only see it from the beach or you have to take a taxi to get on it. It’s a totally different experience riding an SUP to it and experiencing the true scale of it,” he said.

Upon hearing that SUP was being added to the competition for the first time, Pine Ocean SUP Korea President Melvin Palmiano was quoted as saying, “It's an excellent start. It's a great step to getting the sport exposure.”

Another major addition to this year’s competition is the arrival of a pro rider who will be surfing in the men’s “International” division. Each year Kai Surf in conjunction with the KSA has brought pro riders from within Asia to the peninsula to promote surfing in Korea and promote the growth of the industry.

This year Ocean and Earth pro rider Guy Bartlett is coming to the competition. Hailing from Australia this is the first time a rider of Bartlett’s caliber will be traveling to Korea for brand promotion as well as to promote the growth of surfing in Korea.

During his visit, he will be hosting clinics for children and experienced surfers wanting to improve their skills. This is a great time to get coaching from a world-class surfer that would otherwise only be available at an international surf camp.

When asked why invest in bringing pro surfers to a local event, Kai Surf owner Dylan Kim stated; “ We have to invest in the growth of our junior programs and by bringing surfers of Guy Bartlett’s caliber to Korea we are giving the juniors opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to. This is what has been done in other sports to cultivate champions in the international arena.”

When asked about his upcoming visit to Korea, Guy Bartlett said “I cannot wait to come to South Korea to check out the beaches and the waves. I’m super stoked to experience the grassroots surfing culture and meet the locals. Who knows one of these grommets could be a future world champ one day.”

Bartlett will be on site at the competition at Haeundae Beach behind the Paradise Hotel for a meet and greet as well as autograph signings. He will also be surfing in the International men’s and SUP divisions which will be running Saturday and Sunday.

The competition will begin at 8 a.m. and continue till the last heat for the day at around 6 p.m. In the past there have been last minute location changes due to wave size. In such cases the competition moves to Songjeong Beach, the next beach along, that is more likely to catch bigger swells.

For more information log on to www.ksasurfing.org, the Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/KoreaSurfingAssociation or Surfing Korea on