Taiwan Open of Surfing kicks off in Taitung

台灣國際衝浪公開賽在台東拉開序幕

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Open of Surfing began Tuesday at Taitung County’s Jinzun Fishing Port, launching a week of competition that will determine the top surfers in the Asia region.

Part of the World Surf League Qualifying Series, this year’s event features its largest field yet, with 180 athletes from 12 countries across Asia and Oceania vying for qualification in the 2026 WSL Challenger Series for men’s and women’s shortboard divisions, per a WSL press release.

With its cobblestone point and consistent left and right-hand waves, Jinzun Harbor is often compared to California’s Lower Trestles and is celebrated for its scenic coastal backdrop framed by Taitung’s mountains. The venue has made the Taiwan Open one of the most anticipated stops on the WSL Asia tour.

“The Taiwan Open of Surfing has been a key event in the Asia region since 2013 and continues to offer an incredibly fun and appealing location for our surfers to return to every year,” said WSL APAC Tour Manager Ty Sorati. “We’d like to thank the Taitung County Government for their continued support and for welcoming us back to such a special part of the world.”

This year’s event will also determine the men’s and women’s champions of the inaugural Bonsoy Asia Super Series, which spans six QS 6000 events in Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The winners will receive a cash bonus and the title of Asia’s top male and female surfer for 2025.

Heading into the competition, Japan’s Kobayashi Kei and Nakashio Kana hold the Bonsoy Leader Jerseys but will need strong results in Taitung to secure their titles.

Deputy Sports Minister Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠) attended the opening ceremony, saying the event highlights Taiwan’s coastal beauty, local culture, and hospitality, helping promote tourism and the sports industry. He said the ministry will continue investing in international sporting events to strengthen Taiwan’s reputation as a global sports destination, per CNA.

Spectators can also enjoy free on-site activities, including a women’s land-based surfing simulation, according to event organizers. For more information, visit the Taiwan Open of Surfing’s website.