“To be surfing in a No 10 typhoon is absolutely ludicrous..."
The Hong Kong surf community has been torn apart, entering a brutal internecine war, as Typhoon Wipha moves closer. The Hong Kong Observatory rated the storm a No. 10 early Sunday morning, the highest-level possible warning, with wind speeds up over 118 km/h.
Now, surfers, as you know, and especially surfers living in generally wave-less places, crave the swell-producing energy of storms. A Hong Kong surf school, Go Surf HK which “provides professional ISA surfing lessons” thrilled with the pulse and began advertising a 20 percent discount for those who signed up for class with No 10 typhoon rating still in effect.
It’s tagline, “The bigger the wave, the better it gets.”
Other surfers, though, became furious at the audacity. One angrily telling the South China Morning Post, “To be surfing in a No 10 typhoon is absolutely ludicrous. It shows a total lack of respect for the power of the ocean. And with the current pressure by the government to ban surfing, it puts added stress on those of us who love to surf and teach surfing responsibly.”
Another, spewing, “The typhoon is too close to the land and shore that waves and wind can go from zero to one hundred. Things can escalate quickly … waves and winds can go nuts.”
Still, a Go Surf HK instructor allegedly went and surfed the madness, posting a clip to Instagram which seems to have been scrubbed.
But where do you fall, here? Are you a safety first gal or devil-may-care sort?
If you were in Hong Kong, currently, would you be waxing up or excoriating those even thinking about it?
More as the story develops.
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What they should be focusing on is building a city wall to keep the damn Mongolians out.
Tahiti trials are on live! It’s shit but great to have in the background f you are trying to improve your French skills.
Xox
Women’s event won by 12 year old Kelia Gallina! I can hear Joe now…”what were you doing at twelve, Jesse?” Starling: “Not riding Teahupo’o, Joe, that’s for sure”. Endless comparisons to child prodigies spanning from Margo Oberg to Carissa Moore to ensue.
No way!
Xox
Soooooo, Pip to be upstaged this year by a 12yo girl? Say it ain’t so!
Xox
She charges, so yes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWzbYqWajOY Loves the “Chop”!
Whilst living in Tokyo, I heard there was an approaching typhoon, so went to the coast for a surf, as was common.
Surf was fun, good winds, some fun barrels, but as the storm neared there was a lot more garbage in the water from what the storm had wreaked as it marched up the coast.
The winds switched and started to increase and the ocean became more turbulent and on one wave I noticed a large log going over the falls right behind me and decided that would be my last wave.
I got out the water and sheltered under a bridge for a bit as the rains had also increased, then walked to the train platform and noticed all the trains had been shut down. so, through the small town I walked looking for shelter and came upon a small traditional tatami mat floor/shoji screen restaurant. I entered and met the mama san, who told me they were closed. I explained that I had to get to Tokyo but the trains were shut down. she graciously made me some food and invited me to spend the night in the restaurant. she and her husband made up a futon bed for me, gave me a couple of beers and said their oyasuminasai. In the morning, when I awoke….breakfast was waiting. I will always appreciate the kindness of people who come to the aide of others in a storm. Japanese are so gracious.
I called my Tokyo employer from the train station the next morning and told them the story. they were so pissed. “What the Fuck are you thinking surfing in a typhoon? baka gaijin. You’re here on contract. We’re responsible for you. get back to Tokyo…..now!”
When I arrived back at the office they had gifts for me. best employers ever.
Lucky for you they didn’t know you like we do.
Grit alter ego
Haha just raggin ya
Great story.
Zen Again?
Was under the impression that the CCP had actually banned surfing in HK.
Surfers are just plain nuts—if there was a ‘tidal-wave’, (tsunami), awsrning in the U.S., Oz, etc, there would be plenty of surfers heading towards the coast, (I’ve done it) (to at least see if there would be something rideable out there.
So there you have it.
Surfers may not be the the sharpest tacks in the box—but we’re definitely the most stoked, (committed).
The three best times to surf if you are allergic to crowds-
– During high winds
– During an active storm
– After the first rain and creeks have blown out
Surfing after heavy rains is like having an abusive, alcoholic, or absent parent. It’s either debilitating or gives your immune system Slater/JJF level talent at killing harmful microbiomes with little middle ground.
*Night
PS
Super Bowl too maybe….
*H2O temps below 58F.
That creates the worst risk/reward ratio around here. A bodyboarder got beheaded in 2021 in those conditions a mile from my home. Pass.
Erm – this storm, 09W is quite weak by WestPac standards – 118 kph is only 64 knots of wind, so this storm is just barely a Category 1.
Still, 118 kph winds blowing onshore would be damn messy and to surf in these conditions would be possible, but simply an Instagram stunt, not actual “surfing” –
Better typhoon swells to come later in the season – https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Having survived the legendary red swell a few summers ago I wish I was there so I could regale my non-surfing friends with made up stories of the dangers of surfing in treacherous conditions…
I surf in wind slop a lot… Am I not actually surfing?
So surfing howling onshore days is…”not actual surfing”…
Criiiikey you come out with some comedic doozies.
Not only is it actually ‘actual surfing’, it tunes and broadens your technique and reflexes plus builds core muscles and paddling agility, to help you do better on the easy light offshore days, than if you hadn’t.
You should write a book about surfing, it might sell well in the comedy section…
fuck yeah give me that 6ft @ 8-10 secs sandbar shorebreak…or off a pier or jetty. shiiiit. Look out!
Taka stormies!!!!
He loves wanking into the wind.
Spoiler alert: in THE BOOK, surfEXPLORE: Discovering New Surfing Locations Worldwide, scheduled for release in September 2025 and available for pre-order on Amazon, in the 28 chapters of THE BOOK, there is no pseudo-surfing in howling 120 kph onshore winds.
Just so you know, before you fork over your hard-earned cash for your very own copy of THE BOOK –
Johnny Don’t Surf
John Semen Cunt! Ahoy! Head over and blow some poor cunts seasonal secret wedge, you cunt!
Xox