Dear Korean,
I recently got a question from my former philosophy professor about surfing in Korea - he's planning a surfing trip around the world and has the impression that there's not much surfing in Korea, but wants me to let him know if he's wrong. So, are there any major surfing destinations in Korea? Is surfing popular anywhere in the country, around Jeju-do, maybe? Are there any big, surf-ready waves in Korea?
Eliot
Surfing! Excitement. Once emigrated to California, the Korean learned to surf at Huntington Beach, and he loves it. But the Korean knows nothing about surfing in Korea, personally. A quick Internet search reveals a Korean surfshop: http://www.arkclub.co.kr/. This is not an endorsement -- the Korean knows nothing about that site. But hopefully it could provide a starting point for finding surfable waves out there. The site seems to be more geared toward surfing outside of Korea (e.g. in Japan or in the Philippines,) but it does list some surfing locations in Korea.
Has anyone tried surfing in Korea? Please help out.
Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@hotmail.com.
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While living in Korea I had a friend, a New Zealander, who was an avid surfer. He would take his surfboard often to Haeundae Beach, but only in the spring and early summer when the crowds were still sparse.
ReplyDeleteWe both lived on Koje Island, and he would also often surf at the beaches north of Dokpo.
Some caveats though — these beaches are on the eastern coast of Korea and don't get much wave action, unless there is a typhoon nearby. And many Korean beaches (not so much Haeundae, being the most popular (and populated) beach in the country, but definitely the beaches on Koje-do) are littered with trash, broken soju bottles, fishing line, etc. Lastly, if you are a waygook with a surfboard in Korea, expect to be stared at indiscriminately.
One up for "waygook"!
ReplyDeletestick to busan and jeju...the other breaks...sorry...can't give those up to just anyone. let me just say that many will be surprised. korea has some great breaks.
ReplyDeleteLastly, if you are a waygook with a surfboard in Korea, expect to be stared at indiscriminately.
ReplyDeleteIf you are anybody with a surfboard in Korea, expect to be stared at indiscriminately.
oh yeah...the cops will harrass you and get you out of the water. some may give you a warning or simply arrest you. one time the coast guard was called when we were at the th 38th parallel up in yangyang, gangwon-do.
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