Yu-Hao Yang (TPE), Nic Jones (AUS), Taylor Jensen (USA), Deputy Govenor of Taitung County, ASP’s Dane Jordan, Wenling Chou (TPE). Pic ASP/Will H-S
TAITUNG, Taiwan (Thursday, November 14, 2013) – This weekend the Taiwan Open of Surfing will see surfers battle for precious ASP World Ranking’s points in Taiwan for the first time in history. The wave rich coast of Taitung is the ideal setting for this breakthrough event with world-class waves on offer for the impressive ASP 1-Star rated field. This will be the third edition of the Tawian Open of Surifng with previous years offering amateur and ASC divisions.
Two World Champions, Taylor Jensen (San Diego, CA/USA), reigning two-time ASP World Longboard Champion and Harley Ingleby (Coffs Harbour, NSW/AUS), 2009 ASP World Longboard Champion, will trade their longboards for shortboards as they pull on jerseys and compete against the international field with surfers from Taiwan, Japan, Australia, USA, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Hawaii and New Zealand all hitting the water in the hopes of being the first Taiwan Open of Surfing ASP 1-Star Champion.
“It’s great to be back, I love Taiwan,” Jensen said. “I brought my family back this year because I wanted to show them the surf, the beauty and the hospitality that this place has to offer. I’m here to have fun and enjoy surfing in the event and the advice I’d give to all the young aspiring Taiwanese surfers, is just to have fun and not focus too much on the wins and losses. Surfing is about enjoying yourself and that’s why I’m here, this is one of my favourite events.”
Nic Jones (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS) spends his time competing across both longboard and shortboard disciplines and is returning to the Taiwan Open of Surfing for the second time after competing at last year’s event. Jones will hit the water in Heat 8 of the Round of 32.
“The waves here are great, I love surfing here,” Jones said. “The locals are so friendly and supportive, they love surfing and put on a great event for us and make us feel special. Taitung is incredible, when you’re out in the water you’re staring at this beautiful mountain scenery. It makes every surf here special.”
Yu-Hao Yang (Taitung, Taiwan) is one of Taitung’s most talented and respected surfers and has been given a wildcard into the Round of 32 at this year’s ASP 1-Star rated Taiwan Open of Surfing. Yang is hoping to make the most of this opportunity and do his hometown and country proud.
“I’m very excited about sharing this experience with so many great surfers,” Yang said. “I’m both honoured and nervous about the wildcard into the ASP event. I’ve been surfing and training a lot and I will try not to disappoint everyone.”
Arashi Kato (JPN) will hit the water in the first heat of the event against Keith Saitep (USA), Keith Kajioka (HAW) and Huang Ta Chung (TPE). Kato recently finished equal 17th place at the ASP World Junior Championships in Brazil and has been in good form coming into his first appearance at the Taiwan Open of Surfing.
“I’m so happy to be in Taiwan for my first time,” Kato said. “It’s so exciting to be here surfing with all these people from all different countries. I will do my best to have fun and hopefully win the event. The waves can be hard to find the best ones, but then you get a good one and they are really fun. The water is warm, the people are so nice and the food is amazing! I’m really enjoying Taiwan.”
The 2013 Taiwan Open of Surfing will also feature last year’s event champion Raditya Rondi (IND), New Zealand’s Matt-Lewis Hewitt (NZL), Nobuyuki Osawa (JPN), Dede Suryana (IND), Norman Roberts (ZAF) and many more.
ASP have partnered with the ASC (Asian Surfing Championship) for this year’s Taiwan Open of Surfing and on top of the ASP 1-Star division there will also be women’s shortboard, men’s and women’s longboard and junior divisions.
The 2013 Taiwan Open of Surfing is supported by ASP Australasia, ASC, Stream trail, TOOLS & HULA HAWAII, Hurley, Dragon, BABI, Toblerone, Holiwa, BenQ, Carrefour, O’Neill & JingCai Good MG.
