Promising Forecast for Taiwan Open of Surfing

With less than a week to go until the Taiwan Open of Surfing hosted by Taitung County Government gets underway, competitors from both short and longboard disciplines wait in anticipation, as the forecast looks promising for the opening days of the waiting period.

Although this will be the first time he will compete at the event, number four seed, Garrett Parkes (AUS) is looking forward to getting back to Taiwan and enjoying the great waves on offer in Taitung County.

"I went to Taiwan when my dad was doing a bit of shaping over there a few years ago," Parkes said. "We did about 3 or 4 trips over a couple of years, surfed a bunch of really fun waves and met some rad people. I can't wait to get over there and compete."

With a great swell forecasted to hit around the opening days of the contest window, the action should be a plenty, with Parkes and his fellow competitors keeping a keen eye on the weather charts.

"The forecast is looking good for the contest. Anytime you see a little blob pop up before you leave for an event you get a bit excited. It's still a few days out so I'm trying to contain myself but hopefully we get some proper waves. That always makes an event so much more enjoyable, it gives everyone a chance to show what they've got."

With this year's Taiwan Open of Surfing being upgraded to a QS1,500 event, the field is bigger and more star studded than ever before. This will be great for spectators online and on the beach, but will mean competitors will have to be at their very best.

"Contests are always hard, I'm sure everyone is wanting to do well. I'm just looking forward to hopefully getting some fun waves and enjoying myself, the food pretty wild in Taiwan so that should be interesting."

Last year's Women's Longboard Champion Chelsea Williams will be back to defend her title this year in Taiwan - WSL / Will H-S

Competing in both the Longboard and Shortboard contests is young Australian, Nic Jones who has entered the Taiwan Open of Surfing for the fourth Year running. Jones is thrilled about the shortboard contest being upgraded to a QS1500.

"I'm really excited the shortboard event has been elevated to a 1500," Jones said. "The field this year is looking really good as is the prize money. The forecast looks pumping so it's going to be a great event."

Another regular fixture for the Taiwan Open of surfing is longboarder Jack Entwistle (AUS) who is back for his third shot at the title of event champion.

"It's so good to be back in Taiwan," Entwistle said. "It's a great way to finish the year get ready for the World Championships next week in China. The swell looks like it's building so we should get some great waves for the event."

The Taiwan Open of Surfing Hosted by Taitung Government will run from November 25 - 29. Watch live at worldsurfleague.com and on the WSL App.