Hong Kong coach criticized for surfing during typhoon Wipha

A Hong Kong coach has faced criticism for calmly surfing during typhoon Wipha.

A man carries a surfboard despite the approaching storm - Photo: SCMP

The coach is facing a backlash from the community after claiming to have gone out to sea to surf during Typhoon Wipha. Notably, the company he works for advertises classes with the slogan: "The bigger the wave, the better."

The move has been widely condemned as water activities are banned in bad weather and the sport is banned at public beaches year-round.

However, this did not stop Go Surf HK, a business that specializes in providing professional surfing lessons according to ISA standards, from offering a 20% discount to those who sign up for lessons during the Wipha storm signal period.

According to SCMP , a coach from this company is said to have gone out to sea at Pui O beach on Lantau island, despite warnings about the danger.

The Post has seen a video of some surfers at Pui O, and has contacted the coach involved for comment.

Several local surfers, fearing a backlash from the community, asked to remain anonymous when criticizing Go Surf HK's actions. "Surfing during a storm is absolutely ridiculous," said one.

“With the current pressure from the government to ban surfing, this puts even more pressure on those who love surfing and teach the sport responsibly,” another shared.

Hong Kong has issued a signal 10 for Typhoon Wipha, the highest level warning for gusts of 118km/h or more. The last time a signal 10 was issued was during Super Typhoon Saola in 2023, which injured 86 people.

Forecast from morning to noon today, July 22, storm No. 3 (Wipha) will make landfall in the mainland south of Hai Phong, Hung Yen and Ninh Binh with winds possibly strong at level 9, gusting at level 11, 12. Deep inland in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Thanh Hoa may have strong winds at level 6-7, gusting at level 8.

THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hlv-hong-kong-bi-chi-trich-vi-luot-song-giua-bao-wipha-20250722084937965.htm