Penghu Tour 2011

Penghu is a good place to play windsurfing. I want to share with you our happiness of windsurfing in Penghu in October last year.

Each person's progress in windsurfing depends on different factors including equipment, environment, instructors, friendship, learning objects / idols etc. Windsurfing can be of life-long learning and benefit. But, windsurfing in Hong Kong has always been affected by the geography. One cannot have a richer sense of satisfaction. From time to time we will think going to other places to enjoy the fun of windsurfing and to give us some feeling of freshness.

In October last year we started to pledge and plan to go to Penghu in November. Members of the team are all familiar with each other, including Minko, Jiong, Bonnie and Ken, Bun, Henry, and Maurice.

Bun and Maurice are the first time to go. The departure time has been changed several times but fortunately we, 7 people, could successfully arrange and eventually board the plane to Kaohsiung and then to change flight to Makung City of Penghu. Alex Mowday, the proprietor of windsurfing shop at Penghu had just gone to Australia to arrange his most senior apprentice Chang Hao to participate in a competition. He had to find his good friend at Penghu called Gary to arrange the windsurfing equipment and all other matters for us. Minko, Bun and Jiong were the team to go first. When they arrived, they met the strong wind. Northeast monsoon about 40 knots in Penghu is common. One will feel overpowered with a 3.4m sail. Minko was totally satisfied in playing but he sprained her ankle. He had to take a day off. Bun continued to play the next day. He gradually adapted to the environment of Penghu and began to enjoy his "new world."

Bonnie and I arrived Makung City in the evening of the same day (21st), We were received by our Penghu friend Iceman. We had a light meal in that evening. Then we went to meet Minko and Bun. We learned Minko's foot injury but knew that it was not serious. We agreed to meet the next morning to go sailing at Guanyin Pavilion.

October 22 – Weather was good and warm. The wind began to ease slightly. In the morning, wind was about 25 knots. Being conservative I rigged a 4.5m sail and used a 79L board. When the wind diminished, I switched to 5.2m/5.9m sails and 85L/120L boards. We played relaxingly a full day until evening. The equipment of Liquid Sports is very good but when we come to prepare we feel that the equipment has been idle for a long time. We have some regret for this good place. But, on the other hand we greatly appreciate Alex's efforts and perseverance over the years so that this place can still continue to operate under the strong winds.

October 23 - The wind was slightly better (25 ~ 28knots), Maurice arrived and joined us at Guanyin Pavilion in the early morning. We prepared sails of 3.4 ~ 4.5m and used boards of 68 ~ 85L. The swells were good allowing us to have the feeling of exposure to an ocean. You could easily find a good wave to jump. The feeling of in the air was wonderful. The cells in my body burned. I felt that the fire in my heart was being charged by a new power. At noon, Henry had also arrived Guanyin Pavilion. He immediately rigged the sail and went windsurfing with us. We began adapting to the new sails that Alex provided and the environment of Penghu gradually. We played for two to three hours in the morning. After lunch we went windsurfing again. Before the sunset, some friends of Penghu also came to play with us. My Russian friends also came from Dragon Gate. We played for almost two hours until the darkening sky came ashore. Brother Jiong brought his own kite board and played with us.

October 24 – In the morning the wind strengthened again (35-40 knots). We rigged the smallest sails of 3.3m & 3.4m. We used the smallest boards of 62L and 68L. I used a 3.4m sail. Unfortunately it does not fit my 62L board. It spins out easily. I had tried a while but I was still unable to overcome the problem in the open sea. Ultimately my 3.4m sail opened a hole. I had to return to shore to mend the sail before I went windsurfing again. When my teammates were taking their rest I switched to a 68L board to play for a while. This combination was more suitable for me so I could have fun. Under a strong wind and big wave condition, the sail and board combination is very important. A little negligence or getting a wrong combination, one would be difficult to control the board. You would become nervous and would waste a lot of effort and even fear. When windsurfing in Penghu, one should try to remove the tension and enter into the high state of enjoyment. Then you can enjoy the fun of windsurfing better. In the afternoon, I changed to a 3.7m sail and 70L board. Other used 3.3m and 3.4m sails continuing to enjoy the precious God given energy (very good wind, waves and sunny weather, a comfortable temperature).

October 25 - The wind was still in very good condition (25 ~ 30knots). The wave reduced a little but everyone enjoyed more. Just take a look at Minko’ jumping. We understood that he had almost completely forgotten that he had sprained his ankle. Sports treatment is indeed effective! We had no difficulty to sail to Western Island on the other side. We sailed and jumped following the waves. We had a boundless feeling. Brother Jiong using his kiteboard also went back and forth across the sea with us.

October 26 – Winds subsided. We had already planned to go sightseeing around, Minko, Bun, Henry and Maurice rode on motorcycle. The rest were in a car. We followed Iceman to visit Dragon Gate, Green Spiral, West Island Bridge, Erkan Settlement, Big-leaved Columnar Basalt, Eastern Taiwan Castle of Newei and other scenic locations. The scenery of these places is very beautiful and has its own characteristic. With our old friend Iceman’s guiding, we once again had the opportunity to enjoy the fine scenery of Penghu. After half-day’s tour Henry left us to the airport and returned to Hong Kong first.

October 27 – It was time for another group of teammates to leave Penghu. The wind eased but Penghu did not disappoint us because you could comfortably relax and rest at the beach. Cycling and hiking are also good. There was still wind strong enough for windsurfing in the evening. We used larger sails of 5.9m and 6.9m to plane for half an hour.

October 28 – In the morning Bonnie and I went sailing again. We used 5.2m and 5.9m sails. We went back and forth across sea to the band of Western Island. We played for almost two hours. It was a happy ending of our trip to Penghu. During the trip we played happily every day. It was the most romantic holiday in Penghu we ever had. When we left the airport of Makung City, our mind was still haunted by the wonderful feelings of Penghu.

I have to thank Iceman and Pizza, Brother Lee Sin Che, Coach Xin Jinlong and other brothers of Penghu for their hospitality. Our feeling and relationship with Penghu become closer and closer. 

Until now, the sorted and edited photos and videos can still bring all this trip back to my memory. I also hope that a small article in this newsletter would activate the dream of some of the windsurfing friends. Penghu is really a good place to play windsurfing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05VStVKO6dA&feature=youtube

https://picasaweb.google.com/hkg2080/Nov2128PenghuWindsurfingTrip

http://www.interhk.net/read.php?tid=1808&page=1&toread=1

Note: Tony Chan nicknamed Icemen
Karen Yeh nicknamed Pizza

Ken Wong

Member of the Shortboard committee