Korean Job Discussion Forums

[VanIslander]

I've seen windsurfing often on the north and east coasts of Geoje Island when I lived there, and when travelling at many spots on the east and south coasts of the Korean peninsula as well as off Jeju. I hear it's also done off the west coast, even near Incheon off Yeongjong, but I haven't seen it thereabouts on my travels, nor on the Han river in Seoul when I've visited, though I hear there are rentals in the summer.

Where have you seen windsurfing in Korea? Have you ever done it? Like me, do you wanna?

Eric Gerard's windsurfing at Jinha beach (from 1:48 minute mark, when the music starts, it's awesome! watch THIS crank the volume and sit back)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZHrvi1AIA

Jeju windsurfing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-85NchBmpqY&feature=related

Dduksum windsurfing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQX_5CU3hs

Korea Windsurfing Association...
http://www.kwsa.or.kr/

Gangneung windsurfing championships...
http://www.kwsa.or.kr/fwwc/index.php

surf potential at Sokcho beach... (decent size waves!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im7pdAk7K9I&NR=1

Wind Legends... (about the history and greats of the sport, 3+ minutes preview of the 2008 film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x4ZKWeyncQ&feature=related

[santafly]

This is not intended to be mean, it is meant to help you enjoy your life more:

windsurfing is a dying sport - it has been replaced by kitesurfing, which is way cooler, gear is way easier to transport, you can practice on land, you can switch boards for snow.

check it out

[VanIslander]

I know that twentysomethings are real big on using kites (kiteboarding) and motorboats (wakeboarding) instead of sails (windsurfing), but I'm in my late thirties so a few years of the olympic sport, classic and still widespread, might be up my alley. I've always wanted to. I think it looks way cooler than kiteboarding or wakeboarding, not that I care an iota about being hip.

As for ease of transporting gear, I'm gettin' a Galloper truck or Damas minivan in the new year and am anticipating roof racking a sail if I take to the sport.

I'm gonna try windsurfing in Guam over these Christmas holidays and if it's for me then I'm gonna go gungho for the relatively warm weather here by the southern coast between March and October. Something extra to do while travelling next summer (May thru September is downright beach weather in this country).

[sojourner1]

Yes, that would be fun to go wind surfing, but not in NE Asia where the water is murky and polluted. It's kinda like Chesapeake bay on the East coast of the US. Really nasty dark water instead of the clear blue waters of the tropics. Maybe temperate climate oceans are all dark, stinky, and murky?

[wanderkind]

I just want to say the "windsurfing is dying, kiteboarding looks cooler", and "I think windsurfing looks cooler" comments made me chuckle. What are you, 12?

[laynamarya]

You can take windsurfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing lessons on the Han River. They have classes on Saturdays and Sundays. We signed up for wakeboarding a couple years ago, and it was a ton of fun.

The Han River may not be exactly ideal, but it's a good way to learn, I think.

You're gonna have to know some Korean, though, or bring along a translator.

[BobbyOrr]

I see lots of windsurfers (and kites) every weekend on the Han (when it's blowing) at Ttukseom Resort.

Not sure what the rental situation is. But often, the wind is going pretty good and they are flying around.

I grew up windsurfing. I'd love to try a kite, but I still love a good day on a wind-surfer. It's a magical feeling to move that fast over water powered by the wind.

[wanderkind]

Hmm, I'll definitely investigate the Han. I actually ended up in Incheon, so it isn't TOO TOO far away. Thanks for the tip!