Surfing competition to draw top athletes to Taitung in November

Surfing competition to draw top athletes to Taitung in November

2026-10-16

The 2026 Taiwan Open of Surfing will make an action-packed return to Taitung next month. This year’s upgraded competition in Jinzun has a prize purse of NT$5 million, the highest ever for a surfing open in Taiwan. The excitement will also come onto land for the first time, with skateboarding, street dance, and fitness challenges drawing competitors from all over the world.

The 2026 Taiwan Open of Surfing kicks off on Nov. 6 in Taitung’s Jinzun Harbor. At a press conference before the event, organizers unveiled this year’s highlights.

The most special part of the 16th edition this year is that we gained approval from the World Surf League to host the highest-level 6,000-point event for both men’s and women’s longboard right here in Taitung. It’s a huge vote of confidence for surfing in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by the Taitung County Government is entering its 16th year. This year’s edition is to be divided into international and domestic events with historic upgrades in competition standards. Beyond serving as a WSL Qualifying Series 6,000 event—one of only four globally—Taitung will be the final leg of the season. Eligibility has also expanded across all seven continents for the first time, with a record-breaking prize pool.

Sports events naturally combine with tourism, especially in a place as beautiful as Taitung. I trust that the county government is working very hard to keep improving this event. It provides more Taiwanese athletes with opportunities to compete alongside and learn from their international peers.

Beyond top-tier surfing, there will also be land-based events for the first time, including a skateboarding jam, street dance battles, and “Wild East Taitung” fitness challenge. Organizers are also promoting travel itineraries for people in town for the competition to enjoy all that Taitung has to offer.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#surfing #WSL #TaiwanOpenofSurfing #sports #Taitung #streetdance #skateboarding

台灣國際衝浪公開賽! 11月台東金樽登場高手較勁

2026-10-16

2026台灣國際衝浪公開賽，11月將在台東金樽熱血登場，今年賽事規格全面升級，不只國際賽總獎金高達500萬元，創下台灣歷年新高，首度將熱血延伸至陸地，加入滑板、街舞及體能挑戰賽，吸引來自全球七大洲的頂尖好手，齊聚較勁！

「2026台灣國際衝浪公開賽」11月6日將在台東金樽登場，賽前記者會上，搶先揭曉今年亮點。

[[台東縣長饒慶鈴]]
“今年第十六屆最特別的是，我們得到世界衝浪聯盟(WSL)的認可，把男女長板最高賽事的六千分放在台灣台東，這是對台灣衝浪，國際衝浪賽一個很大的肯定。”

由台東縣府主辦的台灣國際衝浪公開賽邁入第16年，今年分為國內、國際兩大階段，賽事規格更迎來歷史性的大升級，不僅成為世界衝浪聯盟積分6000等級，更是全球四站之一，台東還是年度最終站，參賽範圍首度擴及七大洲，獎金創新高。

[[運動部政務次長楊啓文]]
“運動賽事就可以結合觀光，台東這麼漂亮的地方。那我相信，這個台東縣政府是非常努力的去把這個活動持續的升級，我們台灣才有更多的選手，可以跟這些國外的選手一起來去做競爭，一起來去做學習。

不只海上拚浪，還首度把賽事延伸到陸地，滑板賽、街舞比賽，以及太平洋體能挑戰賽，打造「陸海雙棲」運動嘉年華。另外，台東縣府也將結合賽事規劃，特色旅遊行程，讓民眾在觀賽之餘，也能飽覽台東壯闊山海美景，感受在地文化魅力。

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Chiang and Shen buckle down in preparation for first debate

The much-awaited mayoral debate between Chiang Wan-an and Puma Shen will be held on the 31 of this month at noon. Eight media outlets including FTV News issued a joint statement inviting Puma Shen and Chiang Wan-an to participate in a second debate. Chiang had previously hinted at the possibility of a second debate, but he now states things are up in the air. Regarding the debate, Shen emphasized he is not adjusting his schedule while being mindful to peak more concisely.

Reporters noticed that Puma Shen had taped two bright strips of kinesiology tape to relieve soreness and fatigue from all this campaigning. He continues to diligently prepare for the highly-anticipated Taipei mayoral debate which will take place on the 31 of this month at noon. But are the candidates ready for the big day?

Puma Shen
Taipei Mayoral Candidate (DPP)
Because sometimes when I speak, I speak for long, but during debates there will be gaps like, 2 minutes or 3 minutes. So I’m practicing to make my sentences shorter, otherwise in the end with fixed speaking times there might be no opportunity to finish speaking which I think is quite important.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
I intend to go all out, and prepare well.

Both candidates are neck-deep in preparation for the televised debate. However, eight media outlets including FTV have also submitted letters of intent to both sides hoping for a second or even third debate.

Chiang Wan-an
Taipei Mayor
We will hold for more invitations from organizers and media before coordinating further. There are many ways to schedule, I think all of this will need to be coordinated. Whether or not there will be a second debate, I am open to it.

Rosalia Wu
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Puma Shen signed this agreement immediately. Does that mean Mayor Chiang has already agreed, as Lo Chih-chiang said, he also signed? Does this mean that other media outlets are authorized to hold the debate? Every media outlet has equal rights.

Taipei local
Doubtful of Chiang Wan-an
Of course, the more debates a person participates in, the more they can showcase their competence. Chiang Wan-an gives the impression of being incompetent and ignorant, like a fool reading off a script. But after the debates, the truth will be clearer.

Taipei local
Supports more debates
Debates will allow us, the public, to have a better idea of the bigger picture. I think two debates are OK.

Taipei local
Prefers one debate
Let the public test how witty the candidates are. One time is enough, it will be brilliant.

Locals continue to eagerly wait for the 31 of October to watch the debate between Shen and Chiang.

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Spanish drag couturier creates dazzling Taiwan-inspired designs

A self-taught drag costume designer from Spain is turning heads with his over-the-top creations, blending traditional Asian motifs and European flair into dazzling stage outfits. From flamenco dresses featuring Taiwanese Hakka prints to elaborate Venetian-inspired clown costumes, Iago Valín has taught himself everything from pattern-making to sewing. After coming to Taiwan as an exchange student 13 years ago, he found more than inspiration here. He found a place where he feels free, accepted, and proud to call home.

A groovy, glowing Christmas tree outfit, a ruffled flamenco dress dotted with Hakka print flowers, and an east-meet-west Venetian carnival jester costume. All of these drag looks shining on stage were created by Iago Valín, from Spain.

Iago Valín
Costume designer from Spain
If you look closely, you’ll see it’s all qipao brocades. So part of it comes from Asia, and part of it comes from Europe. I spent almost 200 hours on this one.

From design and pattern-making, to sewing it all together. Everything to the last stitch was crafted by Iago, who surprisingly is completely self-taught. By watching videos online, he learnt how to make outfits that only get more elaborate and grand.

Iago Valín
Costume designer from Spain
My mom does a lot of traditional crafts, so even since I was young I would see her making lace or dying fabrics. This shirt I also made myself. I used a bedsheet from when I was a kid. It’s full of my childhood memories.

Iago’s talent also extends to languages. He’s from Galicia, an autonomous community in northwest Spain that has a language of its own. In primary school, his family moved to the island of Jersey, a British Crown Dependency in the English Channel close to France. Besides speaking Galician, Spanish, English, French and Mandarin, he’s also studied German and even Ancient Greek and Latin. In university, he double majored in linguistics and Chinese, and fell in love with Taiwan after coming here on exchange.

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Having lived in Taiwan for 13 years now, Iago’s friends, partner and job are all here. The freedom and diversity of the island have made this his second home, and he’s here to stay.

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Locals in Tainan are witnessing a historic moment! At 10:29 on Friday evening, the century-old Tainan Railway Station will bid farewell to its final train and become a historical landmark. The closing of this beloved station coincides with the opening of the first phase of the underground railway project. The local community flooded the platform as people rushed to capture photos to preserve their memories with the station. Nearby shops also seized the chance to sell commemorative merchandise.

Dozens raise their phones to snap photos and videos. Every inch of the platform was filled with people capturing memories of their beloved station. Tainan Railway’s above-ground platform station will soon be decommissioned. Many locals flocked to the station to capture the last few images of the century-old railway where the lifelong memories were made before the trains are moved underground.

Member of public
Captured the event well
I came from the northernmost point and filmed all the way to the south side, then from the southernmost point to the north as well. I filmed every single one along the way.

Member of public
Capturing final moment
It’s about recording this final moment.

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The massive farewell has created a lot of opportunity for local businesses, especially those preparing to move into the new underground station. Nearby bubble tea shops even offered special souvenirs such as key chains with purchases over a certain amount, so that customers could share the memory together.

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We use locally produced oranges to make our fresh fruit drinks. We hope more people will know more about Tainan’s fresh fruits.

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Simon Chang
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This is Taiwan’s second Night Sky certification. The first was Hehuanshan, a park. This one is an urban area. Lalashan isn’t urban per se, but according to DarkSky International’s guidelines, any area within 50km of an urban center qualifies. We plan to map out itineraries for visitors to enjoy nature and experience Atayal culture while also stargazing at night.

The city spared no effort in meeting the organization’s standards. Since Taoyuan is adjacent to dense urban areas with severe light pollution, the local government worked hard to retrofit over 400 streetlights, adjusting the angles and adding light shields to make sure the ground stays safely illuminated without affecting the skies. It also worked with hotels to remove unnecessary lighting.

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In addition to protecting the night sky, the project aims to boost tourism. The Taoyuan City Government is promoting 13 travel itineraries for visitors to enjoy thousand-year-old ancient trees and Atayal culture by day, before gazing up at the Milky Way at night for a full day of incredible experiences.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Medical professionals advise older adults and high-risk groups to get vaccinated as early as possible against both influenza and Covid to build dual protection and reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization from infections during the autumn and winter months.

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