Winter surfing Seoul-Yangyang

You must be crazy about surfing to get into yangyang sea 🌊 at -1°C windy weather & water temp. 2°C. It is much easier to get into the spirit if there are others to dive in together, so you are not the only odd one out there. This is one reason to pick a surfing shop as your base and pay regular visits to make friends.

Surfing spot: Ingu beach, Yangyang, 0.6-0.7m with 6s period. Perfect baby waves for a beginner like me!

Day 1 – arrive in the evening, leave luggage at the camp shop, select a bunker bed, then head out for dinner to feel the excitement. My choice was Haepari 해파리 for Mapo tofu dish with the local Soju.

Day 2- surfing day! First, good breakfast to last you in the cold winter sea… found several places open for proper Korean breakfast (meaning rice and soup) within the walking distance from Ingu beach.

My suit choice was Zeplin semidry 5/4mm, 5mm boots, 3mm gloves. Intentionally left out the face hood as the design covers my mouth, and I heard it is scary for beginners if you fall deep as you are grasping for air.

Result: good enough for 3-4 hours in the water. After this, your fingertips start to freeze. 5mm gloves would be a better choice for warmth but at the same time, make your hand movements such as push and up harder and awkward. Without hood, freezing water on your face hurts then you have to face the sun directly for a while for photosynthesis and sit on the surfing board with the wind on your back. Then feelings come back on your face 😜

My idea: the weakest spot was fingertips. I found a pair of old gloves with holes and wears so I cut off the fingers and going to layer them on my 3mm. (Gosh I am so clever)

After surfing: red original surfing jackets and a glass of tap beer. Found one cozy looking bar concept store SCHURRER’S but there were no seats available except bar stool. Yangyang is also popular among tourists, bikers and couples so it was expected. Then found another bar called pleasewait and they offer beers, cocktails and other beverages.