China hemorrhaging surf Olympians to Switzerland in wake of draconian anti-surf laws

"Even Switzerland is building a national team. Why? Because surfing is now an Olympic sport.”

It was only a matter of time before China entered the scene as a potential surfing superpower. The proud nation of over 1.4 billion has been on an absolute tear since Chairman Mao Zedong transformed it from a imperialist playground into a workers’ paradise some seventy-five odd years ago. China has mastered copyright infringement, manufacturing and, of course, sport, tying the United States for gold medal totals at the recently-wrapped Paris Olympiad.

Most those baubles were, of course were in shooting, diving and table tennis but for the first time in history, a Chinese surfer paddled out into the brine, competing for the five-star red.

Yes, Siqi Yang captured hearts worldwide, JP Currie writing in preview, “And then there’s sheer disbelief in the case of China’s Yang Siqi, the girl raised in landlocked China, just fifteen years old, who only saw the sea for the first time six years ago. Now, she will be cast into Teahupo’o’s maw.”

Yang proved herself brave and true, fearless and the potential dawn of a brave new surfing world ruled by the east. Alas, draconian anti-surfing laws in Hong Kong might end the dream before it begins with landlocked Switzerland reaping the rewards.

Little Mahohi Nguyen Tang, 10, and something of a surfing prodigy dreams of being a professional surfer and, of course, a surf Olympian though is not allowed to train at Big Wave Bay. Thus his parents, both Swiss citizens, are taking the boy to “Europe’s Playground” in order to get him the necessary wave time.

“His level has exploded since surfing there. The Swiss national team also trains there, and he was spotted by one of the coaches,” his father, withholding name, shared with the South China Morning Post. “Even Switzerland is building a national team. Why? Because surfing is now an Olympic sport.”

Local lawmaker Adrian Pedro Ho King-Hong declared it was sad to see Hong Kong, and China, lose a potential star, and he was “puzzled” by the government’s approach to the sport. “Hong Kong has always been strong when it comes to oceanic sports, our first Olympic gold was in windsurfing. The lack of support regarding this particular sport [surfing] is puzzling, to say the least.”

He declared that he will fight for easing restrictions while Nguyen Tang’s father opined, “Absolutely [we would consider representing Hong Kong], we would be so proud, and I think Hong Kong people would be proud [but] I don’t even think there is a national Hong Kong surfing team.”

Much work to be done before LA ’28.

Reconstitute those Slater-Bundchen candles, please.