After the interview with Bei-Bei, we went to the surfing stores in Donghe for having interviews with surfers. Fortunately, we met three surfers who are willing to have interview with us. One of the surfers is from Japan, and luckily one of our group members is half-Taiwanese, half-Japanese, he can be our translator and let us have the chance to have an interview. Another surfer is a student major in animation in Taitung University, we paid a visit incidentally. The following are our interview record:

Interview process

Surfer: Lin, Jun-Wei (from Kaohsiung, female, surfing experience: two years)

“How did you start surfing?” I say.

“How old was you when starting surfing?” I say.

       “At the age of 28, but I could be better if I started surfing as old as you now. However, you can’t just go to surfing, you also need to do some training usually, including core training which could enhance the ability of your core muscles. Also, warm yourself to avoid any sport injury.” she says.

“What is the most impressive competition you had been in?” I say.

       “I have participated three competitions, and two of them make me impressed. The competition in Wuhsih harbor in Yilan last year, the waves on the sea are very small, I could dig the sand underwater while I was surf-riding. The other one was at north of Taiwan in winter, the waves were very giant, as I finally started surfing, it left only one minute to go. I think that not only the surfing skills but the luck and imposing manner are also important. I hope I can be more progressive next year, competition can let us see the lacks and improve ourselves.” she says.

“What is the standard of evaluation in surfing competition?” I say.

“How long does one game take?” I say.

“Have you even been injured in surfing?” I say.

       “Yes, actually, I hit on a rock yesterday. Fortunately, I didn’t have any badly injury yet. However, my waist always get pain, so warm myself completely is important. In fact, the ocean is not dangerous as people think. The key is to understand the properties of sea currents, to avoid yourself surrounded by danger.” she says.

“What is the benefit of surfing to you?” I say.

“Do your family support you for surfing?” I say.

       “In the beginning, they do not support me because they thought surfing is dangerous due to the fear of water. And they didn’t like girl to get tanned that much. Nevertheless, they saw surfing changed my daily routine regularly, they started to support me, and urging me to be careful and be safe. Sometimes, they would share my surfing photos to friends and family, which make me so happy!” she says.

“Do you have your own surfboard?” I say.

      “Yes, I do, it’s secondhand one, because a new surfboard is too expensive. A secondhand surfboard could be used for long if you used it nicely and protected it carefully.” she says.

Interview process

Surfer: Kouji Hamauzu (From Japan, male, surfing experience: two years)

“Where were you live in Japan?” I say.

“Why let you visit Donghe?” I say.

“Which one’s waves do you like more? In Donghe or in Japan?” I say.

“What time do you come here?” I say.

       “I visit Donghe when I have long vacation, I live and surf by exchange accommodation. I will go back to Japan two days after, and I will be back on my next vacation.” he says.

Interview process

Surfer: Surfing Boy (From Taitung, male, surfing experience: two years)

“Where are you from?” I say.

“How old did you start to surf?” I say.

“Have you ever participated any competition?” I say.

“Have you ever joined a competition abroad?” I say.

“Did you got injured while surfing?” I say.

“What is the reason for you to begin to surf?” I say.

“What was the most impressive competition for you?” I say.

“What was the feeling about your first surfing?” I say.

“What is your favorite surfing spot?” I say.

“What are you thinking when you are surfing?” I say.

“Is many foreigners surf here?” I say.

“Do you have any surfing course here?” I say.

Interview process

Surfer: Siao,Yu-Dian (From Kaohsiung, male, surfing experience: 2 years)

“What are the tips of surfing?” I say.

“I go to the beach every day, and the waves are different every day, too. There is no tip for surfing, just practice every day, and you can learn new thing from it.” he says.

“Which board do you prefer? Longboard or shortboard?” I say.

“I prefer the shortboard, because longboard is heavier, using it waste more energy while surfing. In the other hand, the shortboard is lightener, and it could achieve higher speed.” he says.

“Why do you love surfing?” I say.

       “Actually, I did like surfing in the beginning, since I was closed to death when I first try, which waves were so giant. However, my friends encouraged me to back to surf again, and I tried and had fun, then I decided to learn how to surf formally, and I love surfing eventually.” he says.

“Where did you surf recently?” I say.

“What is the benefit of surfing for you?” I say.

       “Surfing makes me be healthier. Because when I was fresh in university, I went to classes every day, and back home or met my friends after school. But after I started surfing, I went to sleep early for waking up early and surfing, it changed my daily routine regularly.” he says.

“How many surfboard do you have?” I say.

“Have you ever participated a competition?” I say.

“I want to join a game but I can’t, because the competitors are too strong. I could join a game once, but I had something else to handle, I just quitted the game.” he says.

“Which season do you like to surf?” I say.

       “I like winter, because you need to wait for a typhoon to have great waves, it would be no wave in the normal day. But in the winter, it have northeast monsoons, after the period, the waves are suitable for surfing.” he says.

“Do you family agree you to surf?” I say.