Surfers converge on Hainan for championships

A surfer participates in the 2023 China National Surfing Championships U Series' Sanya Station competition. [Photo by Wang Chenglong/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2023 China National Surfing Championships U Series Sanya Station competition — or Sanya Surfing Open — was held at Sanya's Houhai Bay in Hainan province on Saturday and Sunday.

With the theme "Sports everywhere, splendid athletics", the competition was divided into eight events, including men's and women's longboarding and shortboarding. A total of 92 athletes from around the country and 22 surfing teams participated.

"We organized the competition to provide a demonstration platform for professional surfing athletes and surfing enthusiasts, promote the selection of outstanding surfers in Sanya, stimulate surfing development in Sanya, increase the popularity of Houhai Bay's surfing base and create a bright business card for surfing in the bay," said Yang Yuting, deputy director of Sanya's tourism, culture, radio, television and sports bureau.

The competition is sponsored by the bureau, with the Sanya Surfing Sports Association.

Sanya is a popular resort city on Hainan's southern tip. Houhai Bay is a low-key beach but a popular place for surfers.