Gathering Of The Tribe!

2017 TAITUNG WAVE CLASSIC.

From November 1st to 26th, the Taitung Wave Jam is back this year, following last year’s format of a month-long waiting period and roaming venue. As usual, teams from all over are welcome to join us in our windiest month here on Taiwan’s east coast.

7 things you should know about the Taitung Wave Classic

1) It’s not a competition, it’s a jam! So don’t expect any prizes or podium finishes. At most you’ll earn a few beers and loads of stories to share with your mates.
2) Entrance: It’s free! Just bring your gear (we have limited rental gear) and beer money.
3) It’s not just for pro wave sailors: In fact the idea of the wave jam sprung from getting flat water sailors into the waves. If you can waterstart and plane on a 4.5 you should be here!
4) It’s month-long so that more people can join! We know you all have jobs, kids and other stuff going on, so this way there is more likelihood that you can come when the forecast(s) look good.
5) It’s a roaming venue, meaning we choose the best spot for the day. If it’s mast and a half high we probably won’t be breaking masts at Donghe river mouth, but rather sailing mellow logo-high sets at Dulan. We pick the best spot for the conditions on that day!
6)It isn’t mast high every day; in fact mast high is the exception. Most people think it’s going to be huge but actually we have more small and medium wave days than big wave days in November.
7)It’s purely for fun! The windsurfing tribe is small and needs to get together once in a while to celebrate what we do. We always try to include a downwinder, an opening party at Cape Cafe and closing BBQ at WaGaLiGong in Dulan.

WaGaLiGong Dulan Surf Hostel Taitung Taiwan
Event schedule 2017 Taitung Wave Classic

DAY 1: SHACKS

Day 1 of the 2017 Taitung Wave Classic was blown away by 40 plus knot wind forcing us into the ‘protected’ Dulan Bay right in front of Cape Cafe. The usual spot up at the point was completely blown out, a mess of whitewash and foam, probably pumping 40knots. But the inside bowl, closer to shore and to the south, nicknamed ‘Shacks’ by us locals and usually known as a protected surf spot due its its wind protection, looked sailable (as in 30 knots instead of 40!). This spot can form a nice clean running wave, but due to its wind protection is hardly ever sailed. Maybe a handful of times a year when it’s really nuclear. And day was definitely classed as nuclear! Conditions were not easy, with sailors barely able to hold their sails and making gybing on the outside very difficult. Catapults, crashes and big jumps were common. 林宗輝 made it look easy and took the Piece of Cake Award.Federico Davicino stole the Nuclear Award for sailing in 40knots on a 4.5m sail. This accolade usually goes to MIA sailor Chris Newman, who was out in the October warmups on his 5.3m in anything from chugging (5 to15 knots) to nuclear winds (30 plus). 張傑獅 (Ajie), back from a one year spearfishing trip, was back showing us he can still ride a bike. The rest of us barely survived on 4.0s. Shouts out to all the nuclear survivors:
曾映皓 (Jimmy Tseng) Team Taiwan
Federico Davicino (Team Spain/Cape Cafe)
Mark Jackson (Team Philippines/ WaGaLiGong 哇軋力共)
林宗輝 (Huiger Lin) Team Taiwan
張傑獅(Ajie) Team Taiwan
Photo Cred (thanks bro!) Mathis Feuillatre

Mark Jackson. Off-the-lip at Dulan beachbreak

DAY 6: BOB’S

What do you do in 30 knots and small waves? Go windsurfing or kiting. Good turn out on Saturday with several teams battling it out with strong north easterlies and a micro swell. Waves were tiny but once in a while some runners would come through. Teams Japan(Yoshihito Niizuma and Taiga Matsumoto), France (Pierre Lambert), Spain (Federico Davicino, Swiss (Urs), and Taiwan( 曾映皓 , Wan Pin Juan )were all trying not to get blown away by the almost nuking conditions. Urs was on fire, ripping apart waves like a surgeon. 曾映皓 was on form also, as was Taiga Matsumoto aka ‘the Animal’.Stand out of the day was Team Japan’s Yoshihito Niizuma, who earned the honorable title of ‘5.3 Monster!’. How Yoshi handled a 5.3 in 30 knots with a big smile on his face is still being being debated amongst rival teams, who were not swallowing Yoshi’s claim of weighing in at 75kgs (must be Japanese Kilos).
Photo Cred: Matt Hayward, Brendan Bates, Brooke Bierhaus (cheers peeps).

Mark – forward at Bob’s Reef

DAY 10: BOB’S AGAIN

Team Singapore made its presence felt today with Boo Chew Kuan and Ogn Ngo finally showing up after a 2 year absence (both attended the 2015 Classic). The wind was slightly offshore, making it tricky for those who are used to planing straight away off the beach. However, the waves, mostly small, were much smoother than usual. Team Italy (Michele Ruju), escaping from Taipei for a few days, was showing off his trademark cheeserolls and tabletops – great to watch. Team Japan (Taiga Matsumoto), not used to the gusty offshore winds, still had some really nice waves and almost landed a beautiful aerial on a shoulder high wave, but the offshore pushed him out the back. Team Spain Federico Davicino had a nugget right on the inside bowl and then disappeared for a cup of tea at Romain Vernhet‘s place down at Graveyards. Team France Pierre Lambert really impressive because he is starting to read waves more like a surfer, waiting in neutral position on the backline and then striking surgically on the best waves of the sets. He had 2 nice waves, staying in the pocket and riding them almost to shore. He also paid his beach tax twice with a closeout on the head and a shorebreak of doom to the dome. Ocean 2 (thrashings) Pierre Lambert 2 (nice waves).

AWARDS
Cheereroll Award – Michele Ruju
Pocket Rocket Award – Pierre Lambert
Graveyard Award – Federico Davicino
Knockout Award – Pierre Lambert
Welcome Back – Ogn Ngo and Boo Chew Kuan
Amateur Photo cred : Mark Jackson

Team Italy’s Michele Ruju and his award-winning cheeseroll