TAITUNG, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 200 surfers from around the world have been attracted to take part in the 2016 Taiwan Open of Surfing that will be held in Taitung County in eastern Taiwan, which boasts stable and beautiful waves that are recognized by the World Surfing League (WSL) as among the best in the world, in late November this year.
Tony Silvagni and Crystal Walsh, who both hold the 2015 champion titles in men’s longboard category and women's longboard category respectively, will also be competing in the four-day event, which is scheduled to take place in Jinzun Harbor (金樽漁港), Taitung County between November 23 and 27.
The WSL Women's longboard champion Rachael Tilly and Japanese leading surfer Masatoshi Ohno, who may join the national team of Japan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic, will also attend the competitions.
The 2016 Taiwan Open of Surfing, which carries a purse of NT$2.5 million (US$78,900), is a recognized WSF QS1500 event and will be the 48th leg in men’s shortboard category, the 9th leg in men’s longboard category and the 9th leg women’s longboard category as part of the WSL.
The WSL has listed the waves off Jinzun Harbor in the same class as those in the United States, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Bali and Thailand, particularly when seasonal northeasterly winds are blowing.
This year the competitions will also include team longboard division, team shortboard division and junior division.
As Taiwan's only surfing event that is officially part of the WSL world circuit, it is expected to greatly elevate the level and broaden the horizon of Taiwan's surfing, the organizers said.
In addition, last year, the competition’s live streaming on YouTube and WSL official website had successfully attracted up to more than 100,000 viewers to watch online, according to the organizers.
With so many world’s best surfers participating, fans are looking forward to an exciting event that will very probably be written into the most brilliant chapter in the history of Taiwan surfing, the organizers said.
Meanwhile, special gifts will be given to visitors during the four-day event as part of Taitung County government’s efforts to encourage people to take part in the sport activity.
