Taiwan Open of Surfing always has an impressive opening ceremony. - WSL / Bennett
The 2016 Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by Taitung County Government has officially been opened today with a traditional indigenous ceremony at the contest site on Jinzun Harbor.
The event comprises of a Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,500 event and a Men's and Women's Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 and is the final World Surf League (WSL) event for the Australasia and Japan region for the year.
Attending the event for the first time in 2016 is current Women's World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly. The 18-year-old San Clemente native has been enjoying her first stay in Taiwan and sees it as a great way to prepare for the upcoming World Longboard Championships.
Rachael Tilly during the opening ceremony at Jinzun Harbor. - WSL / Bennett
"This is my first time in Taiwan and I'm absolutely loving it," Tilly said. "The waves have been really fun so far and I'm loving all the food. All of the surfers have been so welcomed by the locals and well looked after. I can't wait for the contest to start."
With the contest being the last event of the Australasia season, current regional QS leader Shane Holmes from the New South Wales Central Coast is hoping for a solid result in Taiwan. Holmes, who hadn't planned on making the trip until he found himself at the top the ratings will win a seed into all of the QS6,000 and 10,000 events for the first half of 2017 with a 13th place or better at Jinzun Harbor.
Shane Holmes with a display of the power surfing that has put him on the map this year. - WSL / Bennett
"This is my first time here and I'm impressed with the setup," Holmes said. "It's a really big playing field which is great for surfing heats. I wasn't sure if I would come but I knew the waves get really fun and am keen for a big result. I never planned to be in this situation but I'm stoked to be here, if I get a result here and make it into the big QS events next year it might be something that I can really take seriously."
Japan's favourite surfing son, Masatoshi Ohno is no stranger to the waves at Jinzun Harbor, nor the Taiwan Open of Surfing. The stylish goofy-footer has been a QS staple for over a decade and has no intention of slowing his competitive surfing down.
Smooth as silk Ohno. - WSL / Bennett
"It's good to be back surfing in Taiwan," Ohno said. "It's a really important event for me as I'm aiming to improve my seed for 2017 and get into some of the bigger events in Hawaii. I'm also still a chance to win my regional QS so it is a very important contest for me. I love coming to surf in Taiwan, the water is warm, the waves are fun and the people are so nice."
Officials, competitors, local dignitaries and indigenous elders were all in attendance at the TOOS. - WSL
An indigenous elder spreading the froth. - WSL / Nathan White
- WSL / Bennett
- WSL / Bennett
Competitors Fire Up For Taiwan Open of Surfing
WSL
The 2016 Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by Taitung County Government has officially been opened today with a traditional indigenous ceremony at the contest site on Jinzun Harbor.
The event comprises of a Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,500 event and a Men's and Women's Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 and is the final World Surf League (WSL) event for the Australasia and Japan region for the year.
Attending the event for the first time in 2016 is current Women's World Longboard Champion Rachael Tilly. The 18-year-old San Clemente native has been enjoying her first stay in Taiwan and sees it as a great way to prepare for the upcoming World Longboard Championships.
"This is my first time in Taiwan and I'm absolutely loving it," Tilly said. "The waves have been really fun so far and I'm loving all the food. All of the surfers have been so welcomed by the locals and well looked after. I can't wait for the contest to start."
With the contest being the last event of the Australasia season, current regional QS leader Shane Holmes from the New South Wales Central Coast is hoping for a solid result in Taiwan. Holmes, who hadn't planned on making the trip until he found himself at the top the ratings will win a seed into all of the QS6,000 and 10,000 events for the first half of 2017 with a 13th place or better at Jinzun Harbor.
"This is my first time here and I'm impressed with the setup," Holmes said. "It's a really big playing field which is great for surfing heats. I wasn't sure if I would come but I knew the waves get really fun and am keen for a big result. I never planned to be in this situation but I'm stoked to be here, if I get a result here and make it into the big QS events next year it might be something that I can really take seriously."
Japan's favourite surfing son, Masatoshi Ohno is no stranger to the waves at Jinzun Harbor, nor the Taiwan Open of Surfing. The stylish goofy-footer has been a QS staple for over a decade and has no intention of slowing his competitive surfing down.
"It's good to be back surfing in Taiwan," Ohno said. "It's a really important event for me as I'm aiming to improve my seed for 2017 and get into some of the bigger events in Hawaii. I'm also still a chance to win my regional QS so it is a very important contest for me. I love coming to surf in Taiwan, the water is warm, the waves are fun and the people are so nice."
Taiwan Open of Surfing
Oney Anwar, Edouard Delpero and Honolua Blomfield victorious across QS and LQS events at Jinzun Harbor.
Despite strong winds, there were solid performances across both longboard and shortboard disciplines.
The wind and the waves showed up for Day 1 of the last QS for WSL Japan and Australasia regions.
QS and LQS hit the water as Jinzun Harbour turns on for Day 2 of the Taiwan Open of Surfing Hosted by Taitung County.
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